Global television production hub launched in Limerick

The hub at Troy Studios will record gameshows for US television

Culture minister Patrick O’Donovan; John Moran, mayor of Limerick; and Pat Kiely, chief executive and founder of BiggerStage at the launch of the Global Production Hub at Troy Studios, Limerick. Picture: Don Moloney

A multi-million-euro commitment has been made to create a centre of excellence for TV production in Limerick, as the Mid-West region continues to attract major international projects.

A global television production hub has been officially launched in Troy Studios, after one of the most significant investments in the country’s screen production sector in recent years.

The agreement will see Troy Studios, Dublin-based film production company BiggerStage, and studio operator MBS Group, establish a global unscripted production which will record gameshows for US television.

Among those starring in the shows are Rob Lowe, Ken Jeong and Erin Andrews.

Since its launch in 2021, BiggerStage has promoted Ireland as a location for international production and attracted productions to Ireland in partnership with major players including Fox Entertainment, MGM, Studio Ramsay Global, Talpa Studios and more recently ITV Studios.

BiggerStage is also working with colleges and universities, including with University of Limerick to provide more educational pathways for skills development.

The company announced the launch of Format Factory, a new dedicated incubator for developing and piloting original television-format IP, which will be based in Troy Studios.

Chief executive and founder of BiggerStage Pat Kiely said: “We are in the middle of a really exciting evolution of television across viewing habits, content creation and platform consolidation. Ireland’s creative reputation, world-class infrastructure and highly skilled talent means we are spectacularly positioned to capitalise on this shift. 

"The recently introduced unscripted tax incentive, on top of the wider audio-visual incentives already in place, will help Ireland compete with any market in the world to attract international players and drive foreign direct investment in this growing sector,” he said.

Culture minister Patrick O'Donovan, said: “The launch of The BiggerStage Global Production Hub at Troy Studios will not only attract major international players to Limerick, it illustrates how Ireland has the infrastructure, talent, creativity and production expertise to lead in this space. 

"Ireland’s creative industry is on a real high; never has there been a better time to expand our global offering and drive more investment into the development of creative IP, jobs, training, development and infrastructure.” 

Meanwhile, regional film manager Paul C Ryan said the announcement was a significant milestone for the Mid-West.

“The region has established itself as a leading production centre, attracting major international film and television projects, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and delivering substantial economic benefits for local communities,” he told the Irish Examiner.

“The talent, infrastructure and expertise are now in place to support continued growth, and industry stakeholders are calling for the introduction of a regional uplift for scripted production to build on this momentum,” he said.

It comes as Ireland recently launched Europe’s first tax credit for unscripted shows. The 20% corporation tax credit would benefit reality TV shows such as The Traitors Ireland and Dancing with the Stars.

Troy Studios is Ireland’s largest studio facility. After being left vacant for some time following the removal of a regional movie tax incentive, the Castletroy studio is now booked and busy again.

Last year, it hosted the production of US fantasy TV series The Wayfinders, and welcomed the production of US game show Don’t Forget The Lyrics for Fox Entertainment.