Opinion
Broadcaster focus A future for TV Centre
To high-profile howls of protest from celebs on Twitter, the BBC confirmed its intention last month to sell off Television Centre. Danny Baker led the charge with short vitriolic jabs accusing the Corporation of short-termism and drawing cynical comparisons with shows like Restoration - Saving The Nation’s Heritage. But is that iconic building really set to disappear? After all, the purpose built TV studios at Wood Lane aren’t exactly
surplus to requirements for an industry hooked on shiny floorshows like Strictly Come Dancing. Owned and run by BBC Studios and Post Production, there are 12 fully equipped high definition and standard definition studios at Television Centre, including the UK’s first 3D capable studio kitted out with Sony HDC-1500s and HDC-P1 cameras, a MPE200 processor, a Sony MVS-8000 mixer and 42” and 24” monitors. Only the London Studios on the South Bank come close to this sort
of capacity in the capital – and they’re usually fully booked by ITV. So the commercial case for preserving this resource is obviously there. In addition, several key areas of the site, notably the central ring linking the studios, known as ‘the doughnut’, are Grade II listed buildings. However later additions aren’t exactly TV heritage, or according
to some, even fit for purpose. Many production roles are being shifted slightly eastwards to the equally iconic Broadcasting House, while others are moving north, along with the Blue Peter garden (and one presumes the bones of pets), to find a new home in Salford Quays. The soon to be partially vacant building is on prime real estate and the BBC has already delivered similar valuable property deals in Glasgow and Manchester for newer multi-purpose studios, to help fund Pacific Quay and Salford Quays. London is no different and nostalgia for BBC TV Centre is precisely that – nostalgia. Even BBC Studios and Post Production, which has a contract
with BBC Vision to operate out of Wood Lane until 2015, is actively exploring and evaluating a number of strategic options. If a joint venture partnership is the outcome, then Television Centre being redeveloped as part of a creative quarter with live entertainment and a visitor attraction, could also accommodate studio production and associated activities. Although these include staying at Television Centre, it has also invested
in technology that could be moved to a new location if necessary. Notwithstanding wistful celebs, there’s general feeling that we have to
move beyond such feelings of nostalgia and look to the future. Building a creative and flexible BBC which continues to meet the needs of the licence-payers is the priority. Ultimately the BBC should be about world- beating broadcast content – not about bricks and mortar.
in my view Summer 2011 theproducer 7
MICHAEL BURNS Industry journalist Michael Burns is an editor and technology journalist
The BBC’s decision to quit Television Centre caused a predictable furore. Michael Burns outlines the options for the corporation
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