BBC confirms move to Manchester

From ManchesterOnline.co.uk . . .


Read the full article here.

They mentioned this on North West Tonight (and it was top story on Ceefax North West) and I'm glad they've confirmed it and glad they've confirmed the life expectancy on the Oxford Road base. Though they're examining where they'll move to, interesting places have been mooted, such as Salford Quays, nice area and it is close to the City Centre, but it isn't the City itself, if it moved there it would be the first TV Studios to be placed in the middle of a multi-million pound area full of yuppie apartments.

But I like the choices they've mooted for Manchester, either going near Granada is one option, being placed near the G-Mex is another, as is being placed near Victoria Station and the MEN Arena is another one. Though no full announcement until next year.

I was just thinking to myself these new Studios are bound to be HD equipped, would this mean that North West Tonight would be one of or if not the first BBC Regional News to go HD? Or a Pipe Dream? As some regions, such as the North West are struggling to Transmit in 16:9.

Though I'm glad to see that North West Tonight will be going in full widescreen in 2010.

Apparently this is slightly jumping the gun.

AIUI the governors have approved the move to Manchester subject to the licence fee being renewed at a level that will fund it I think this means that if the BBC don't get close to what they've requested (RPI+2.3%) then a move to Manchester would be less likely.

Though that article doesn't mention it, apparently the North West Development Agency is going to contribute the best part of £50 Million to help create the new base and to create new jobs.

BBC South West's news output is still made in an analogue 4:3 studio(albeit with 14:9 cropping these days).

Thats the tabloid press for you.

What has actually been announced or re-announced is the move in principle . The "Out of London initiative" as it is known was agreed by the governers a while ago. Again this was in principle .Remembering that much of the Higher BBC management is ex-civil service, the announcement should be seen as Humphrey Appleby speak for possibly, maybe, if the time is right, given the practicalities etc etc.
Michael Grade actually said that,

"The move depends on the economic case and this is still to be worked out"

He also said that if the BBC do not get the licience fee settlement they will have to,

"re-examine our priorities"

The announcement also comes as the final bits of rubble have been cleared away from Pebble Mill - a purpose built broadcast centre which wasn't needed but now they find they do need but cannot admit it.
The move announced was for Sport - or some of it, Five Live and some of New Media. Childrens programming was not specifically mentioned and at the present time is unlikely to move completely if at all.
There are also the ongoing arguments with Granada over public money paying for a broadcast centre which is unclear who actually will own it and at what rates the commercial sector get to buy into it.
The speculaltion in the MEN article about the location is misleading. Exactly how does the MEN know of the possible sites when the BBC does not? The BBC is committed to having a central open centre in Manchester - how exactly does this square with Salford Quays?
Until the licience fee is decided and the arguments with Granada are sorted it will remain hype and conjecture

Yep:

Southampton, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Bristol, Plymouth, Jersey and Newcastle are all still producing in 4:3 for 14:9 pillarboxing, with either analogue or digital gear (or a mix)

Leeds, Hull, Norwich, Tunbridge Wells, London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow are producing in 16:9 wiht mainly digital gear. (I've probably left someone out...)

The existing 4:3 regions are in line to be upgraded or moved. I believe some regions are now chosing new kit, though some have already received some of it. (It is possible to introduce new cameras and digital editing and vision mixing gear in 4:3 and then switch to 16:9 when the rest of the infrastructure has been upgraded - rather than doing it all at once. Nottingham was 4:3 digital from its relocation, but only went 16:9 comparatively recently)