Media City Fry-Up, bumber July edition: Breakfast in Salford and yet more jobs…
posted Thu 15th Jul, 2010
If you haven't been following us on twitter or facebook (and why not?) you may have missed a busy week for MediaCityUK news.
- First off, the BBC has announced it's intention to relocate BBC Breakfast to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. The story began as a strong rumour we picked up on twitter, followed by much speculation and generally negative responses from the national media.
The BBC moved quickly, and by Wednesday the move was officially announced. Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News, said: "BBC Breakfast is the most watched breakfast programme in the UK and loved by millions. It has a fantastic connection with audiences across the UK and we want to build on that."
Peter Salmon, director of BBC North said, "The move of Breakfast is especially symbolic as it is the first time a BBC Network News programme will come from outside London – a real vote of confidence in our new enterprise."
An attempt to create a full english Breakfast, if you like.
The move means that more than three hours a day of live BBC One output will now come from MediaCity, and around 88 roles across BBC Breakfast and operational posts are expected to relocate. It is yet to be seen how many current Breakfast staff will make the move.
You can read more details straight from the horses mouth. - Riding high on the wave of such an earth-shattering announcement, the BBC then surprised us all by announcing yet more jobs were heading to Media City, namely 43 positions from Marketing, Communications & Audiences and 75 from Future Media & Technology.
The BBC's Director of Future Media and Technology, Erik Huggers, said: "Just as Broadcasting House is associated with the rise of radio, and Television Centre with TV, I believe that MediaCity will become the BBC's centre for the internet age.
"Moving our connected TV and mobile product teams north, together with a core part of BBC Online, is very much part of realising this vision."
It was also announced that an additional two comedy shows will be commissioned by BBC North at MediaCity by 2012/13.
Sinead Greenaway, CEO at Peel Media (developers of MediaCityUK) reacted positively to this tidal wave of news - "We at Peel Media are delighted...This news is testimony to the BBC's commitment to make their new home here at MediaCityUK a success."
Again, you can read more details from the beeb itself.
How's that for a round-up? But wait, there's more! (I'll do these as one liners, I know you're busy)
- Salford Uni has announced the appointment of Jon Corner, founder of Liverpool based production house River Media, as their new MediaCityUK Director - replacing John Holland. More details here.
- Mammoth Graphics, who produce graphics for the BBC, ITV and Sky amongst others, have opened an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK; their first base outside London. More details at How-Do.
- The Reverend Hayley Matthews has been named as chaplain to MediaCityUK by the Church of England. More from the BBC.
- Peter Salmon (Director, BBC North) has made it to no.84 in the Guardian's 100 most powerful people in media. Presumably after this week's announcements he'll be popping up a little higher next year.
- Peel Media is looking to fill a handful of new Technology and Studio-based roles at MediaCity - click here for the full list.
..so a busy couple of weeks overall, and still over a year to go before it's all truly up and running!
Be sure to follow our highly recommended twitter feed for all the late breaking MediaCity news...
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MediaCityUK round-up: Holiday Inn announced, keys handed over, plus much more!
posted Fri 30th Oct, 2009 - 05:28 AM
It's been a month since our last update, so you must be desperate for your fix of MediaCity-related news. We won't keep you waiting any longer:
- Yesterday it was announced that the 218-bed hotel at MediaCityUK will be a Holiday Inn, complete with bar, restaurant and gym facilities. Andrew Gill, Vice President of Development for IHG (Holiday Inn), said: “Signing the Holiday Inn Manchester MediaCityUK in such a tough economic climate is testament to the strength of the Holiday Inn brand...It’s an ideal location and we’re confident the hotel will be an asset to the development.”
- Earlier this month the BBC were given the keys to building C, future home to Radio Five Live, BBC Sport and local and regional news. Channel M was at the handover ceremony, and took the opportunity to question Salford locals on the impact of MediaCity:
- BBC presenter Gabby Logan is being tipped to make the move to Salford Quays in 2011, as she is set to host a new daily show on Radio 5 Live. Logan doesn't seem to be directly replacing any other presenter - it's just part of the ongoing shake up of 5Live. More details at the MEN.
- Plans for a video game 'development hub' based at MediaCity have been in the news this week, after reports that work could start on the project as early as next summer. The idea was originally discussed in the Digital Britain report, but has since been criticised by those preferring the project be based in Liverpool or Dundee (already home to a number of gaming companies). Crain's currently has a poll about the subject, and (somewhat unsurprisingly) 60% of readers think MediaCity is a better option than Liverpool. Just another thing we can fight about.
- Jason Legget, Head of Business Development at MediaCityUK will be speaking at the Creative Industries Networking Group (CING for short) birthday party on 2nd November at Rain Bar in Manchester. Jason will be outlining the current status of developments at MediaCityUK, and sharing his strategy and opportunities for making MediaCityUK a success. We can personally recommend CING as a great meetup for anyone involved in the creative industries (full of friendly people!), so get yourself down there if you're interested.
- Finally there are a handful of new BBC positions over at MediaCityUK Jobs - all unfortunately based in London for the time-being, moving to Salford 2011. Still, if you fancy living in the big smoke for a few years, check 'em out.
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45% of BBC staff say yes to MediaCityUK, and more are interested
posted Tue 06th Oct, 2009 - 04:49 AM
The BBC's final deadline for London-based staff to decide on the MediaCityUK move has now passed - and 45% of rank and file staff have said yes.
That number may look familiar, because it is almost exactly the same percentage who agreed amongst middle managers and executive staff.
As previously mentioned, this is a higher percentage than was expected - as Richard Deverell (Chief Operating Officer BBC North) alludes to: "I would like to thank all staff for their professionalism at this challenging time. The leadership team is delighted with the number and calibre of staff from across the moving departments but appreciate that the move is not right for everyone."
But what about the 55% who said no? The BBC says they will try to 'redeploy' them where possible, but if that fails they will be made redundant when the move finally happens.
In a somewhat unexpected development, it's been revealed that nearly 1,000 other BBC staff members have expressed an interest in relocating to Salford - putting a possible dent in the number of jobs available for local hopefuls. However, How-Do points out that 'expressing an interest' means nothing more than registering for info on the staff intranet... so there's hope yet!
The BBC is expected to initiate a recruitment drive shortly to fill those vacant spaces, so watch this space for further information.
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Weekend round-up: Media City goes green, new CBBC Director
posted Tue 29th Sep, 2009 - 04:04 AM | 1 comment
Last week was full of Media City related stories - so much so there's a few things you might have missed... (unless you're following us on twitter or facebook of course!)
- Peel announced that MediaCityUK has become the first development in the world to become a BREEAM approved 'sustainable community'. MediaCity will use water from the Manchester Ship Canal to power, heat and cool the buildings - and will reduce Co2 emissions through the use of a combined heat and power system known as Tri-Gen. (More details on that here.)
The announcement further bolsters Peel's green credentials - they are already involved in a number of environmental businesses, from renewable energy to recycling. (source) - The BBC has announced Joe Godwin as the new director of BBC Children's, replacing Richard Deverell, who moves up to be Chief Operating Officer for BBC North at MediaCity. Godwin says, "I can't think of a more exciting challenge, or greater honour, than to lead the brilliant people who make CBeebies and CBBC. The fact that we're soon to become part of BBC North in Salford makes it even more exciting."
- BBC Radio 5Live Controller Adrian Van Klaveren has written about the station's move North on the 5 live blog - explaining some of the reasons behind the move and his thoughts about MediaCity following a site visit. You can see some pictures from that visit (in particular 5live's new home in 'Building C') in the slideshow below (or here on flickr).
flickrSLiDR.
The BBC should have received keys to 'Building C' today (Monday 28th Sept), and we have just a few days until we find out what percentage of remaining BBC staff will decide to make the move to Salford. Place your bets now!
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Peel proposes quayside promenade opposite MediaCityUK (Updated)
posted Wed 23rd Sep, 2009 - 10:27 PM
Update: The Imperial War Museum have told us that their previous exterior plans (mentioned below) are now being combined with the proposed promenade, and they will be re-thinking designs for the remaining areas in light of this (should the promenade get planning permission).
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MediaCityUK developer Peel have applied to Trafford Council for permission to construct a pedestrian promenade and public realm area in front of the Imperial War Museum North.
This would extend the existing Trafford canalside promenade to the new foot bridge currently being built as part of Phase 1 of MediaCityUK (which will link MediaCityUK to the Trafford sides of The Quays - expected to eventually become the new home of ITV).
The promenade would create a walking circuit, taking in the MediaCityUK piazza, The Lowry and Imperial War Museum North.
The promenade is part of the Irwell City Park project which is being co-ordinated by Central Salford. Irwell City Park will link The Quays with central Manchester along a new pedestrian and cycle-friendly waterside route. It is hoped the proposed promenade and City Park project would encourage people to see Salford Quays and MediaCityUK as a visitor destination.
In June this year new exterior plans were announced for the Imperial War Museum North - including a new landscaped garden, children’s play area and a water sculpture. The first stage of those plans (due for the opening of MediaCity in 2011) has now been combined with this new proposed quayside walkway for which planning permission is currently being sought. IWMN will then be rethinking the designs for its remaining areas in light of this first phase, should it be successful.
You can see another picture of the proposed promenade after the jump.
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I've just fixed the commenting system on the blog, which appears to have been malfunctioning for the past month or so. Apologies to anyone who has posted recently without any success, please do post again if you can be bothered! Jun 09, 2009 - 04:16 AM
CBBC are looking for new drama writers - if you fancy a future job at MediaCityUK check it out - http://bit.ly/10wvA0 May 21, 2009 - 01:14 AM
Not a lot of MediaCityUK news to report since the ITV bombshell, except perhaps this article from the FT about the positive impact MediaCityUK is likely to have on Salford and the surrounding areas. The article also provides a quick introduction to the local housing market - useful if you're looking at relocating to Salford. Mar 26, 2009 - 11:04 PM
Debate about the BBC's staff relocation packages continues to rumble on and on - Liz Hunt at the Telegraph says, "I can't be the only taxpayer with northern credentials who feels insulted by the implication that having to up sticks from the South East is akin to an enforced relocation to Mogadishu or Harare." (full article here). Meanwhile, Andy Spinoza at How-Do offers some relocation advice to BBC staff - "Some media people will find the value, community, and friendliness on offer in the likes of Monton and Eccles more appealing than the fancy nick-nack shops of Didsbury..." (full article here). Mar 13, 2009 - 12:22 AM
The Manyoo apartment towers in Salford Quays will be built, despite one of the developers behind it going into administration, reports the MEN. Manyoo will have 1,036 apartments over four towers that will `quite literally change the skyline of Salford Quays'. Mar 04, 2009 - 07:04 AM
Interesting article over at The Life of Wylie about the problems piling up for ITV; chief amongst them the need to make a decision about selling the Manchester site in Quay Street and moving to MediaCityUK, Salford. (via SalfordQuays.org) Feb 19, 2009 - 02:54 AM
Former journalist Aziz Rashid has been announced as the new head of BBC North West - "we have an exciting future ahead with our move to Salford Quays in 2011." (full article at the MEN) Feb 17, 2009 - 11:09 PM
The Guardian has a short article about some of the problems facing HBOS, one of which (according to the Guardian) is their £350m backing of MediaCityUK. (via SalfordQuays.org) Feb 17, 2009 - 11:00 PM
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