:-(
A former member
Yes it was Southampton studios that got demolished. Maidstone is still going strong as an independent complex.
also correct about Giltbrook,
also correct about Giltbrook,
WE
Which bit about Giltbrook is correct?
Yes it was Southampton studios that got demolished. Maidstone is still going strong as an independent complex.
also correct about Giltbrook,
also correct about Giltbrook,
Which bit about Giltbrook is correct?
VM
Yes they're demolishing TV-am's quite ugly front exterior for a brighter open space that no doubt will make the place a little better to work in...
http://www.tv-am.org.uk/uploads/images/MTVexTIGERX.jpg
http://www.tv-am.org.uk/uploads/images/MTVexTIGERX.jpg
:-(
A former member
Yes it was Southampton studios that got demolished. Maidstone is still going strong as an independent complex.
also correct about Giltbrook,
also correct about Giltbrook,
Which bit about Giltbrook is correct?
Central never went on air from there at all, because of union issues. Both Nick and anna did nothing, I think there both went to TVAM after that
Ealry 1984 when east got it own news, ANY idea what caused all the trouble in the first place? ITA demand this so why did there not step in and demand it got put on air!
WP
Which bit about Giltbrook is correct?
Central never went on air from there at all, because of union issues. Both Nick and anna did nothing, I think there both went to TVAM after that
Ealry 1984 when east got it own news, ANY idea what caused all the trouble in the first place? ITA demand this so why did there not step in and demand it got put on air!
ATV were told to divest 50% of their shares, split the region in half with a new studio complex in Nottingham to replace Elstree and rebrand to reflect the new local company. They were also told to establish a news operation in the East Midlands immediately.
They did as they were told, Giltbrook was hired (at huge expense) - there was nothing more Central could do. This was a time when the ACTT were all powerful and if they werent prepared to staff Giltbrook then Giltbrook wouldn't be staffed. There was a great site about the ACTT and TVam conflict - think it's fell offline though?
It was certainly used as a news gathering operation (eventually) if nothing else. Certainly it was a while after even Lenton Lane opened before the news started broadcasting from there. There's loads of interesting stuff about it on Transdiffusion - essentially Lenton Lane were the most modern studios in Europe when they opened, but union practices at the time meant that most of it was not used until they all-but-closed Broad Street in 1993, and by then it was relatively out-of-date.
It was the IBA btw.
Yes it was Southampton studios that got demolished. Maidstone is still going strong as an independent complex.
also correct about Giltbrook,
also correct about Giltbrook,
Which bit about Giltbrook is correct?
Central never went on air from there at all, because of union issues. Both Nick and anna did nothing, I think there both went to TVAM after that
Ealry 1984 when east got it own news, ANY idea what caused all the trouble in the first place? ITA demand this so why did there not step in and demand it got put on air!
ATV were told to divest 50% of their shares, split the region in half with a new studio complex in Nottingham to replace Elstree and rebrand to reflect the new local company. They were also told to establish a news operation in the East Midlands immediately.
They did as they were told, Giltbrook was hired (at huge expense) - there was nothing more Central could do. This was a time when the ACTT were all powerful and if they werent prepared to staff Giltbrook then Giltbrook wouldn't be staffed. There was a great site about the ACTT and TVam conflict - think it's fell offline though?
It was certainly used as a news gathering operation (eventually) if nothing else. Certainly it was a while after even Lenton Lane opened before the news started broadcasting from there. There's loads of interesting stuff about it on Transdiffusion - essentially Lenton Lane were the most modern studios in Europe when they opened, but union practices at the time meant that most of it was not used until they all-but-closed Broad Street in 1993, and by then it was relatively out-of-date.
It was the IBA btw.
:-(
A former member
You would think IBA could have stepped in? and demanded something?
WP
From who? Central had invested as required, the climate was simply such that there was no way they could feasibly operate the facilities.
I doubt Central were happy with the situation but there was nothing they could do about it. It was a situation they had been forced in to by the IBA but the unions were not willing to let it happen - back then, that simply meant it didn't happen.
The other option - forcing the ACTT - could well have lead to the whole of Central going off air. Not really an option at all.
You would think IBA could have stepped in? and demanded something?
From who? Central had invested as required, the climate was simply such that there was no way they could feasibly operate the facilities.
I doubt Central were happy with the situation but there was nothing they could do about it. It was a situation they had been forced in to by the IBA but the unions were not willing to let it happen - back then, that simply meant it didn't happen.
The other option - forcing the ACTT - could well have lead to the whole of Central going off air. Not really an option at all.
IS
More about it here, seems the original architect doesn't really mind!
Interesting, I had no idea they were doing that. I assumed that the front of the building stayed with the original TVam styling because of its architectural status, the same reason the eggcups were left in situ. I hope they are keeping the canal side frontage because that is quite nice. It seems they're losing 2 out of their 4 studios, presumably the big original ones used for TVam are the ones going.
Yes they're demolishing TV-am's quite ugly front exterior for a brighter open space that no doubt will make the place a little better to work in...
http://www.tv-am.org.uk/uploads/images/MTVexTIGERX.jpg
http://www.tv-am.org.uk/uploads/images/MTVexTIGERX.jpg
More about it here, seems the original architect doesn't really mind!
Interesting, I had no idea they were doing that. I assumed that the front of the building stayed with the original TVam styling because of its architectural status, the same reason the eggcups were left in situ. I hope they are keeping the canal side frontage because that is quite nice. It seems they're losing 2 out of their 4 studios, presumably the big original ones used for TVam are the ones going.
Last edited by Inspector Sands on 6 March 2012 1:01am - 4 times in total
IS
Carlton didn't have any studios in London as they didn't make any programmes. Their HQ was in Knightsbridge and is still identifiable, just, by the building number being in their font outside.
Thames's Teddington Studios still exist, they're owned by Pinewood now and the office block at the back of the site is home to Haymarket Publishing.
Central in Birmingham still just about exists, it's been lying empty since the mid 90's and demolition work started a couple of years ago and stopped soon after. If you look around some of the Urban Exploration sites there are loads of photos around of the inside before work started
The HTV studios in Cardiff are still there as is HTV Bristol I think. Maidstone is still there too
If you have a couple of hours spare, this is a good read: http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/
What studios still exist then, I know LWT's Kent House does, as do the Granada Studios & Leeds Studios of Yorkshire, but what about the rest? I take it Carlton London's is still there but being used by others, I know Thames' Euston Road has been demolished as has TVS/Meridian's Maidstone studios, what else survives?
Carlton didn't have any studios in London as they didn't make any programmes. Their HQ was in Knightsbridge and is still identifiable, just, by the building number being in their font outside.
Thames's Teddington Studios still exist, they're owned by Pinewood now and the office block at the back of the site is home to Haymarket Publishing.
Central in Birmingham still just about exists, it's been lying empty since the mid 90's and demolition work started a couple of years ago and stopped soon after. If you look around some of the Urban Exploration sites there are loads of photos around of the inside before work started
The HTV studios in Cardiff are still there as is HTV Bristol I think. Maidstone is still there too
If you have a couple of hours spare, this is a good read: http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/
CO
Apart from those already mentioned, the only other pre-2000 ITV company studio buildings which remain are Anglia House in Norwich, Channel Television's base in St Helier, and UTV's Havelock House in Belfast.
Anglia House, The Leeds Studios/Kirkstall Road, The Manchester Studios/Quay Street (for however long's left) and Havelock House are the only studios still in use by their respective companies from their first day on-air.
Anglia House, The Leeds Studios/Kirkstall Road, The Manchester Studios/Quay Street (for however long's left) and Havelock House are the only studios still in use by their respective companies from their first day on-air.
WP
The new design for TVam is along similar lines to the old one. Just a shame to see a bit of history wash away. I got shivers when I was busy being a tourist in Camden then stumbled upon the obscured but still unmistakable TVam letters.
My impression with the remaining studio(s?) in Lenton Lane is that it's only a matter of time before they too are lost. They've barely ever been used for the last 8 years and I suspect they just don't have anything better to do with them right now.
My impression with the remaining studio(s?) in Lenton Lane is that it's only a matter of time before they too are lost. They've barely ever been used for the last 8 years and I suspect they just don't have anything better to do with them right now.