Resurgent Pinewood admits fall in revenues

The Clash of the Titans 3D blockbuster – due for release this weekend – was one of a number of films made at Pinewood and Shepperton studios during a resurgent 2009 for the cinema industry, the owner of the sites said yesterday.

Pinewood Shepperton said the "appeal of film in uncertain economic times has not diminished" after cinema admissions last year hit their highest level since 2002.

The Buckinghamshire and Surrey studios were also used last year to film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – the first part of the final in the series – and Ridley Scott's new Robin Hood adventure, due out this summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The company said film revenues fell six per cent in the year to 22.7m, reflecting the impact of a damaging battle between United States studios and the Screen Actors Guild, which left projects in a logjam until it was resolved in June.

The television advertising slump also hit TV revenues, 11 per cent lower at 11.3m, with the wider group's underlying pre-tax profits slipping six per cent to 11.3m in 2009.

This year has got off to a good start as the studio group hosted major new television game shows Ant & Dec's Push the Button and The Whole 19 Yards featuring Vernon Kay.

The firm, which also owns Teddington Studios, said the new game shows attracted capacity audiences.

A number of films are due to be made at the group's facilities this year, although Pinewood would not reveal which productions at this stage.