Thomas Tops Licensing Poll for 10th Year in a Row

For the 10th consecutive year, HIT Entertainment’s Thomas & Friends has been ranked the No. 1 license for preschoolers in NPD EPoS Retail Tracking Services’ annual survey.

The franchise, which has been around for 65 years, has extensive plans for the coming year including new toy lines from Fisher-Price and Megabrands, as well as a new animated TV series that for the first time will use CG techniques. The new series is set to debut Jan. 25 in the United Kingdom and will be followed by a DVD release titled Misty Island Rescue on Oct. 11.

‘Today’s NPD results reflect the widespread and timeless appeal of Thomas & Friends, a brand which continues to evolve, providing a wealth of entertainment to children around the world,’ says Peter Byrne, executive VP of consumer products international for HIT Entertainment. ‘We look forward to taking Thomas to even greater heights this year.’