Major unscripted production hub planned in Ireland to take advantage of new tax credit

Ireland’s Troy Studios is set to expand

Plans are afoot to create a major unscripted production hub at Troy Studios in Ireland following the launch of the country’s unscripted tax credit, the first in Europe.

BiggerStage, the Irish independent production company founded by broadcast veteran Pat Kiely, has said it has stuck a “multimillion-euro” agreement with Troy Studios and The MBS Group to create an unscripted production hub in County Limerick.

Under an initial multi-year deal, BiggerStage and Hackman Capital Partners’ Troy Studios will invest to attract major international television formats to Limerick, with BiggerStage producing projects on the ground while supporting extensive training and skills development.

In addition, Troy Studios will position itself as a place where the next wave of potential global hit formats can be piloted at scale. The facility will host numerous pilot projects for “major international partners” in 2026, alongside BiggerStage’s expanding original slate.

Troy Studios is Ireland’s largest and most modern studio facility and spans 26 acres, including four sound stages totalling 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sq m) with an overall footprint of 350,000 sq ft (32,516 sq m).

It comes after Ireland has seen substantial growth in international TV production over the past three years, while a recently granted

https://www.c21media.net/news/ireland-launches-first-tax-credit-for-european-unscripted-programming/ tax relief for the unscripted production sector, covering documentary and reality television, is set to fuel further growth.

Billed as the first tax credit in Europe dedicated solely to unscripted programming, the relief takes the form of a corporation tax credit for expenditure incurred on the development of unscripted programmes and will be available at a rate of 20% of certain production expenditure up to a maximum limit of €15m (US$17.5m) per project.

Since launching in 2021, BiggerStage has produced over 250 hours of primetime programming in Ireland, including US network Fox shows The Floor, Next Level Chef, Beat Shazam, Name that Tune and Don’t Forget the Lyrics.

Central to BiggerStage’s strategy is its cost-effective EU-based production model with a common travel area with the UK.

Kiely, CEO and founder of BiggerStage, said: “We are truly entering a golden age for the television industry in Ireland. Europe’s first unscripted tax credit will help Ireland compete more effectively on the world stage to become the home of global formats, the fastest growing area of television production.

“This investment in Troy Studios will allow us to offer a world-class base for international production. Irish crews are renowned as the best in the business and we look forward to creating a sustainable centre of excellence in Limerick, surrounded by great infrastructure, expanding centres of learning and a brilliant hospitality industry. 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 in jobs, training, development and infrastructure.”

Patrick O’Donovan, minister for culture, communications and sport, said: “This announcement is yet another strong signal that Ireland is open, competitive and ambitious when it comes to investment in the creative services sector.

“The creation of a global hub for unscripted production 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.”

Elaine Geraghty, MD of Troy Studios, said: “The new deal firmly positions Limerick and Ireland at the forefront of global television production, supported by the unique advantages presented by Ireland’s unscripted tax credit. Together, we are dedicated to building a global production hub that will benefit the creative sector, generate employment and deliver outstanding original content for audiences worldwide.”

Alastair Boucaut, executive VP of global studio platform, Hackman Capital Partners, said:

“We are thrilled and delighted that BiggerStage has made a long-term commitment to Troy Studios. Our facility was built to welcome bold and innovative companies like BiggerStage that have proven international production success. This collaboration will bring exciting projects to Ireland and strengthen the country’s creative industry.”