I have a bad feeling there may move it to Manchester ?
They did some from Manchester last year as they had to be out of Leeds for some reason, so if they've done it before, they can do it again.
For me it sounds like ITV want to kill it off, I can't see why Channel 4 would want the show off and Carol out, it still does well and it doesn't cost much to produce in comparison to other game shows.
Although this is my opinion, I think ITV don't want The Leeds Studios.
Certainly sounds like that too me.
Re: Countdown - don't know about Manchester but I know they did quite a few episodes from Tyne Tees studios a few years ago while Richard Whitely was still hosting.
Back to the show itself and I think it's widely agreed the show needs a new set and new titles etc. if it returns with new hosts, but considering the budget woes, would they be able to afford it?
Re: Countdown - don't know about Manchester but I know they did quite a few episodes from Tyne Tees studios a few years ago while Richard Whitely was still hosting.
I think it came from Tyne Tees for over a year, it was due to the fact that the Wellbeing channel was broadcast from Leeds and it took Countdown's studio, but the joint venture between Granada and Boots was pulled pretty quickly (Like Taste CFN between Cartlon and Sainsburys) and Countdown went back to Leeds.
As for Manchester, it did happen, as they mentioned it on the show and they even said where they stayed, which was The Lowry Hotel, which I can tell you is pretty pricey.
Presumably because by the time they were in Manchester, the Tyne Tees studios probably weren't in any fit state to be used for it anymore (they last did Countdown there in about 2001).
As for all these people saying they'll close Leeds, I'd think its more likely they'll just use it as the opportunity to push ahead with the Manchester plans. They've been wanting to downsize the operation in Manchester anyway, so if they end up with a spare studio at Leeds now it'll be the perfect place to shift a lot of their Manchester studio production over to instead (no doubt putting out a big press release about how they're investing in production in the North etc).
The thing about "The Manchester Studios" though is they're still half owned by the BBC through 3sixtymedia (as far as I know). What shows are produced in Manchester these days? I only know of Coronation Street and Jeremy Kyle show. University Challenge is I think still done up here. They used to do some of those Saturday morning religious shows (Heven and Earth used to be filmed in the same studio as Jeremy Kyle) but don't know if they still do.
I suppose there is the factor that the BBC will be moving to Salford in 2012 (or whenever) so I'd guess that some of these shows would move there (I don't know the full details of how many studios will be there, not to mention what they will be used for). Are Granada still thinking about moving to Salford themselves? What is happening with the whole 3sixtymedia thing after Salford is built?
The thing about "The Manchester Studios" though is they're still half owned by the BBC through 3sixtymedia (as far as I know). What shows are produced in Manchester these days? I only know of Coronation Street and Jeremy Kyle show. University Challenge is I think still done up here. They used to do some of those Saturday morning religious shows (Heven and Earth used to be filmed in the same studio as Jeremy Kyle) but don't know if they still do.
I suppose there is the factor that the BBC will be moving to Salford in 2012 (or whenever) so I'd guess that some of these shows would move there (I don't know the full details of how many studios will be there, not to mention what they will be used for). Are Granada still thinking about moving to Salford themselves? What is happening with the whole 3sixtymedia thing after Salford is built?
I think Mastermind is still filmed at 3Sixtymedia. Last I heard that ITV were going to wait to see what the BBC were doing, but I guess it depends how much room there will be at Salford, as it will have to accomodate all the new departments, aswell as BBC North West, really couldn't say how much room there will be left.
Although I'm rather surprised they didn't go ahead with moving the News and Regional operation into the Bonded Warehouse.
I think Mastermind is still filmed at 3Sixtymedia. Last I heard that ITV were going to wait to see what the BBC were doing, but I guess it depends how much room there will be at Salford, as it will have to accomodate all the new departments, aswell as BBC North West, really couldn't say how much room there will be left.
Although I'm rather surprised they didn't go ahead with moving the News and Regional operation into the Bonded Warehouse.
I always wondered about that plan anyway, what were they planning on doing with the old office block if they did? Would they be able to sell it with a condition that the Granada sign stays put on the top? I am right in thinking the sign is listed aren't I? And is it just the sign of the whole building? Maybe the whole listed nature of the old building is what is puttting them off as selling it'd be less profitable (or not enough to offset the cost of renovating and relocating to the Bonded Warehouse)?
Salford is owned by a separate company. The present plans are that the BBC will lease offices for the departments moving & build a news centre. They will rent the production radio & tv studios with tech staff as and when they need them. Its a complicated PFI agreement some of which involves Granada. Three of the new tv studios are almost identical to those at Quay St. There are also plans for a much bigger studio which is larger than TC1
There is this mad idea that everything can be done out of London - for political reasons. With the sale of TVC off the cards there is a certain amount of rethinking. Of course as they don't own the Salford studios it is possible to change your mind - especially if there is a new government which does not have a Northern leaning.
Well it looks like there are already plans afoot for a refreshed Countdown, including a nationwide search for Carol's replacement. They're also saying the programme will stay in Leeds.
The article on MG today suggests c4 are entirely happy with the situation and will be running a search of maths graduates for a replacement. Ratings are down, c4 have reduced the budget by 1/3 so seems entirely of their making given how much of the budget was spent on the talent. This all on the day they've announced a £3m contract for Alan Carr
I don't normally jump on bandwagons, but I have to say the treatment of Vorderman really does sound attrocious.
If the programme viewership has indeed dwindled to 1 million from 4 or 5 million then a paycut wouldn't be unreasonable - but a 90% paycut is outrageous, and is nothing short of constructive dismissal.
Television executives really are a bunch of snivelling gits these days, knowing nothing about loyalty. If anyone is overpaid it is them. Doesn't seem to matter how much money the talent made for them in the past, they are only concerned with this years bonus cheques.
This "revived/refreshed" version deserves to fall on its arse.
If only I got home from work at that time in the afternoon I could make a point of not watching it.
None of this will probably happen given the fact the owner of Countdown wants to pull the plug on the show after the way Vorderman was treated. Personally I think he should but I guess the TV execs will be laughing then.