<P> Series 12 (2008) saw the introduction of CGI effects (provided by HiT Entertainment's subsidiary Hot Animation), with the intent of producing the show entirely in CGI the following year . The traditional models and sets were still used, but with computer animated faces superimposed on the models to allow for changing facial expressions . Humans and animals were fully computer animated to allow for walking movement . Only twenty episodes were broadcast (the U.S. broadcast featured six additional episodes from Engines and Escapades). Sharon Miller became the head writer, starting with Series 12 . </P> <P> HiT announced multiple changes to the show beginning in 2009 . One new aspect was the introduction of live - action host segments to Thomas' home video releases . The host took the form of a character who worked on The Fat Controller's (Sir Topham Hatt's) railway, who would instruct viewers in craft projects . For the final 2 DVDs released for Season 12 in 2009, the host was named Mr. Arkwright, played by Robert Slate . In 2010, beginning with the DVD Splish splash splosh, the host was named Mr. Perkins, played by Ben Forster, and has remained host until Forster died in 2017 after a battle with cancer . </P> <P> For budgetary reasons, the other major changes were a move to production in CGI, rather than using physical models, and the addition of a voice cast to support the established narrator . The DVD feature, Hero of the Rails, was the first Thomas & Friends production to show these changes, and Series 13 was the first television series in the new format . The CGI animation for the series was provided by Nitrogen Studios of Vancouver . </P> <P> In September 2010, Apax was preparing to sell off HiT Entertainment and its franchises, including Thomas--regarded as the single most valuable asset--in order to help clear HiT's debts, and in February 2012, sold the company, along with the Thomas properties, to "US toy giant", Mattel . </P>

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