UK TV STUDIOS
rise and shine: TV studios in the
PIPPA CONSIDINE TAKES A LOOK AT THE UK’S SHINY FLOOR TV STUDIOS MARKET AND FINDS THAT WHILE THE COVID BOUNCE HAS ENDED, INTEREST IN ALL THINGS VIRTUAL IS CERTAINLY ON THE RISE
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PRODUCTION
bounce has gone,” says Andrew Moultrie, ceo, BBC Studioworks. Studios are returning to the old rhythm of multicamera TV, with business picking up over the year and becoming overstretched towards Christmas. But with many shows there’s still a post pandemic urge to get out. “Whereas you might have had a run all in the facility, now part of it will be outside,” adds Moultrie. With this year’s downturn in UK
commissioning, streamers could help to keep business up, as they look to widen their portfolios and to make shows that aren’t all big budget. Netflix quiz show Cheat, from Talkback, launched last year and it has had success with competition formats, but studio-based shows are still low priority. At Maidstone Studios, commercial director Josephine Clark has quoted for a few projects for streamers in the light entertainment sphere, with work likely to come on line from December. Although Moultrie warns: “unless the SVODs come in at significant scale you’re not going to see a significant change.” Formats are having a moment in the TV
spotlight
fter the need to get out post Covid, it seems that producers are coming back inside. Business is steady, shiny floor is still in demand. Virtual reality set-ups, especially for sport, are boosting creativity and keeping down air miles. But while money gets tighter
and rate-cards need to rise, the attraction of making volume shows at a fixed cost retains its allure. “What is really evident is that the Covid
schedule sun, whether studio-based, shot on location, or a blend of the two. At dock10, it’s adding to its regular shows with the likes of The 1% Club, from Magnum Media, and ITV’s Deal or No Deal reboot, produced by Whisper North. While Versa Studios is relatively new to
the scene, it’s already worked with Paramount Plus, as well as ITV, BBC and Channel 4. “There’s still a massive demand for shiny
floor shows,” says Clark at Maidstone, which has hosted Blankety Blank and I Can See Your Voice. But it’s also branching into eSports, using its data centre and capitalising on the lines out of the building. Studioworks’ lease at Elstree has been in
place for more than a decade, continuing to service jewels in the crown, including Strictly, “demonstrating how much demand there is,” says Elstree ops director Rebecca Hawkes. And Studioworks still has ITV Daytime shows at Television Centre in White City. But costs have spiralled. “We’re having to review our rate card and numbers,” says Moultrie. That said, with so many financial pressures
on all parts of the production chain, more bookings are last minute, especially for new pilots. “It’s leading to later decision making, with channels leaving it to the very last minute,” says Andy Waters, head of studios at
Summer 2023
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