It's no great loss really - it did look very imposing driving past it when I lived in Southampton, but Meridian was only around for one franchise period before being assimilated by Granada. They never really produced much either, so I doubt there would be much lying around there to clear out.
It's no great loss really - it did look very imposing driving past it when I lived in Southampton, but Meridian was only around for one franchise period before being assimilated by Granada. They never really produced much either, so I doubt there would be much lying around there to clear out.
Most of Northam's output in the late 1990s ended up on Channel 5.
For the first couple of years, much of Saturday daytime came out of there live.
Morning children's programming, and the afternoon sports show.
They never really produced much either, so I doubt there would be much lying around there to clear out.
Much to the point of this particular forum, they
did
produce quite a lot of centralised continuity, some of the equipment for which,
might
still be about.
There's also a chance that there's
stuff
still there from the heydays of the building as the TVS site.
It's no great loss really - it did look very imposing driving past it when I lived in Southampton, but Meridian was only around for one franchise period before being assimilated by Granada. They never really produced much either, so I doubt there would be much lying around there to clear out.
Don't forget the people behind Meridian started gobbling up other regions such as Anglia and HTV. Carlton only got their hands on HTV when Granada wanted all 3 and was not allowed.
Everyone check out this link for apparent exclusive shots of the studios on-site. Interior shots as well! (Just thought I'd post this here as it may not be noticed on my first post) I believe these are the ONLY existing interior shots of the place of the closure.
Everyone check out this link for apparent exclusive shots of the studios on-site. Interior shots as well! (Just thought I'd post this here as it may not be noticed on my first post) I believe these are the ONLY existing interior shots of the place of the closure.
Who's having the Meridian sundial logo or has that gone?
I think that went years ago. Last time I passed the complex, there was virtually no branding left on the building at all.
EDIT - having watched the first bit of the youtube 'video' (yes, I'm annoyed by stills montages on youtube too!) and clearly the sundial was still there in June!
It's no great loss really - it did look very imposing driving past it when I lived in Southampton, but Meridian was only around for one franchise period before being assimilated by Granada. They never really produced much either, so I doubt there would be much lying around there to clear out.
Most of Northam's output in the late 1990s ended up on Channel 5.
For the first couple of years, much of Saturday daytime came out of there live.
Morning children's programming, and the afternoon sports show.
Yep - weren't Meridian's owners also major shareholders in Five at launch? Therefore it made sense for Northam to be a studio operation for Five's shows?
ISTR that when Question Time came from Southampton it often came from the Meridian studio operation?
However as studio shows tailed off, there was little produced there, and in an early rationalisation plan they decided to shut the Newbury studio operation and co-site with Southampton in Northam, though retaining New Hythe as a standalone operation. Then Whiteley happened...
It really is very sad to see so many large, well built, well equipped, high quality studios closed, when the replacements are such poor quality, cheap operations.