House directing duo Elliott Baker worked in collaboration with celebrated Director Tim Searle and Hat Trick Productions to create an original and comedic animation that sits perfectly with the original series ‘punk’ aesthetic and attitude.

Kong Animation Studio, whose recent high-profile projects include ’Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures’ series for the BBC, ‘Billy Connolly Does’ for UKTV, as well as Smart Energy and Royal Mail animation and illustration campaigns, have created a new animated title sequence for a spinoff from long-running British television series “Have I Got News for You.” – “Have I Got Sport for You”.

Kong Studio worked in conjunction with award-winning development executive, producer and director Tim Searle. Tim not only was responsible for the original animated sequence in 1990, but proceeded to re-invent the iconic titles over the next two decades.

Co-director and one half of Elliott Baker Bill Elliott says:

“The HIGNFY credits are the stuff of legend in the (Kong) studio. It’s no exaggeration to say they are high up the list of animations that motivated us to get in this business. Snappy, irreverent and funny, they are everything we aspire to make and certainly a Kong signature style. This project (and working with Tim) was an ideal send-off to 2024.”

The sequence features dynamic transitions and comedy easter-eggs. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gag-fest summing up the sporting high (and low) lights of 2024. The titles are loaded with satirical nods, whether that’s sports washing, sports doping, or VAR controversy. The animation was created with Kong’s signature quality, with a talent pool consisting of some of the very best artists working in animation and illustration today.

Tim Searle says:

“It was exciting to be given the nod to make the titles for the ‘Have I Got Sport For You’ pilot show. I’ve long admired the excellent team at Kong Studio and was pleased that they could see this could be a fun project too. They were great to work with and I’m chuffed with the sequence we made together. I look forward to more collaborations with Kong in the future”.

Richard Wilson of Hat Trick Productions said –

“Kong Studio did an excellent job with a difficult budget and time constraints.”

Key features of the new animation include:

• A fresh take on the ‘Have I Got News for You’ punk aesthetic.
• Kong Studio’s signature high-end animation and attention to detail.
• Tim Searle’s comedy experience loaded the animation with fresh new satirical riffs.

The title sequence debuted with the upcoming pilot “Have I Got Sports For You” on January 3^rd  2025 on BBC One, and is available now on iPlayer.

About Tim Searle:

Tim Searle is one of the UK’s most respected animation and comedy directors; his distinctive style has shaped numerous projects including “I Am Not an Animal” and “2DTV.”  He created the animated titles for BBC One’s iconic series “Have I Got News For You’ for over two decades and has been Director and Producer on Toad & Friends, Mr Bean, Danger Mouse, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed, and Horrible Histories.