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 September round-up
posted Tue 30th Sep, 2008 - 01:09 AM
It's been a busy month for those following the developments at MediaCityUK.
We reported earlier about the expected relocations of ITV and Salford Uni's Media Department, and since then we've seen the first renders of what Salford Uni's building will look like. (pic on the left, many more details and pics on the skyscrapercity MediaCityUK thread).
And the BBC has announced they are looking to appoint a new director of BBC North, who will be responsible for the move to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. If you're interested in applying, you can see a summary of the position here. (Good Luck!)
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Salford Uni move to MediaCity almost confirmed… who’s next?
posted Fri 12th Sep, 2008 - 01:41 AM
Salford Uni is apparently closing a deal with MediaCityUK to relocate their media studios department to the Quays. Like the ITV reports just days ago there is no official announcement as of yet, but the MEN imply the deal is as good as done.
Crain's reports that an application has been made to Salford City Council for the University building, a part two, part five and part 18-storey building containing 22,000 sq ft of food and drink space, 42,000 sq ft of office and a classroom building of around 95,000 sq ft this week.
So that's ITV and Salford University for this week... any predictions for who'll be making relocation announcements next week?
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ITV preparing to announce MediaCityUK move
posted Wed 10th Sep, 2008 - 03:50 PM
The MEN reports that ITV chiefs have reached an 'agreement in principal' with MediaCityUK developers Peel Holdings for the long-expected relocation from Quay Street to Salford Quays.
An official announcement is expected in the next few weeks (with the contract still yet to be signed) but this is big news for MediaCityUK chiefs, who will be delighted to have another big name confirmed.
You can read the full article here.
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MediaCityUK move causing a BBC revolt, but there will be no surrender
posted Sat 30th Aug, 2008 - 07:35 PM
More rumors today about the reluctance and/or opposition of BBC staff to the MediaCityUK move. This time it's the telegraph reporting that high profile Radio 5 Live presenters Nicky Campbell, Peter Allen and Simon Mayo are all considering their positions.
The article also says that the timing of the relocation - which is due to be completed shortly before the start of the London 2012 Olympics - is proving a further source of frustration, because many 5 Live and Sports staff will be sent back down to the capital for Olympics coverage.
Despite the grumblings, a senior BBC official refused to back down: "There will be no retreat. By 2012 the move will be complete to Salford. And Radio 5 Live is going to Salford. Period."
You can read the full article here
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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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