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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Happy 2009! here’s a round-up of things you might have missed…
posted Mon 05th Jan, 2009 - 11:29 AM
Happy New Year! You might have noticed a slight lack of updates over the Christmas period, so to make up for it here's a list of MediaCityUK related news that happened throughout December '08 and January '09...
- In case you hadn't noticed, the people of Manchester rejected the proposed congestion charge by a whopping 80% - so no increase to tram frequency or capacity to and from MediaCityUK, plus other planned improvements you can read about here. Thankfully the no vote doesn't affect the MediaCityUK tram stop, which will be going ahead regardless.
- The University of Salford appointed a former Head of Interactive TV and Digital Text Services at the BBC (John Holland) to oversee their initiatives at MediaCityUK. Holland says, "Digital-based businesses in the north will receive a tremendous boost from the arrival of the BBC and other media organisations at Salford Quays, and the University stands to benefit across all departments, including additional research openings, training and jobs for graduates". More at Crain's.
- CBBC has appointed a new Head of Drama and Acquisitions, Steven Andrew, who will be based at MediaCityUK come 2011. Controller of BBC Children’s Richard Deverell says, "To attract someone with Steven's track record to head CBBC Drama and Acquisitions is a testament to the department's reputation and it demonstrates that we are committed to appointing the very best talent prior to the move to MediaCityUK in 2011." More at How-Do.
- Ian Wylie at the MEN has a great 'first interview' with newly appointed Director of BBC North Peter Salmon - in which he talks about his thoughts and plans regarding MediaCityUK and encourages ITV to join the BBC and make the move. Check out the full article here.
There's a few other interesting bits and pieces we'll be covering soon so stay tuned!
ps. We're now twittering! you can follow MediaCityUK Blog on Twitter at twitter.com/mediacityuk
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MTV wants its MediaCityUK…or does it?
posted Thu 11th Dec, 2008 - 10:56 PM
Rumours about MTV making a move to MediaCityUK began about a month ago (see our article here), and this week those rumours gathered some pace with both Crain's and How-Do covering the story.
Details and official statements have been hard to come by (MediaCityUK/Peel have refused to comment on specific companies), but today Crain's reportedly spoke to an MTV Europe spokesman who said, "There are absolutely no plans to move to MediaCity. We haven't even looked at it."
That should put an end to the MTV speculation, but Peel is still said to be on the verge of two new signings at MediaCityUK - one from the North West (ITV/Granada) and the other from elsewhere (take your pick).
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Peter Salmon to head-up BBC North at MediaCityUK
posted Wed 10th Dec, 2008 - 06:04 PM
BBC Vision's Chief Creative Officer Peter Salmon has been appointed as Director of BBC North.
Based at MediaCityUK, Salmon will be responsible for BBC Sport, Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra, and BBC Children's. He will also join the BBC's Executive Board in 2010 as the BBC's base at MediaCityUK nears completion.
Salmon (who is married to ex-Coronation Street actress Sarah Lancashire) was born in Burnley, and has a range of experience working for the BBC and Granada on shows such as Blue Peter, World In Action and Newsnight.
Director General Mark Thompson said, "I cannot think of anyone better qualified than Peter to lead this bold venture which I believe will have significant impact across the BBC as new ways of working and using technology are developed in practice."
Salmon himself says, "I want to help build a world-class, creative powerhouse for the BBC based in the North of England but networked into the whole UK."
You can see more on this story at the BBC, The Guardian and How-Do.
Early rumours expected Alan Yentob could be the first Director of BBC North.
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New MediaCityUK site lets you see the construction progress live! Update: not any more…
posted Fri 28th Nov, 2008 - 10:19 PM
Update: For the past few days the semi-live feed has been replaced with previously recorded footage - but it's still a big improvement.
The official MediaCityUK site has been re-vamped with a holding page that lets you see what is happening right now on the construction site. It's a welcome change from the quite boring and slightly weird previous website.
Just don't hang around for any longer than 30 seconds, or you'll just be watching the same clip over and over again! The movie is not a continuous live feed - but will re-load with new footage if you refresh the page.
The new site also links to a new MediaCityUK brochure, which looks a bit nicer than the old one, even if it has very little new information. How-Do reported earlier this week that MediaCityUK has appointed two new creative agencies to re-vamp the website and deliver some new promotional materials. So far, so good!
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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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