Broadcasting House, Salford Quays & TVC

Now I wont be getting any more work done today, i'll be getting all nostalgic over old Thames programmes - Where is that old Magpie annual.
Edit I'm so undisciplined when I work from home and easily distracted - this will have to do instead

I have been mentioned before but I am looking at this press release discussing the arrangement between BBC Elstree and Elstree Studios. I know they're two separate entities but the release states a few things that I want clarified.



Does this mean that the owner of Elstree Studios owns studio D on the BBC site or that Studio D can rented to anyone?



So this sounds like the BBC is subletting studio space on Elstree Studio's lot to meet the demand of past studio closures. In turn they are transforming studios normally designed for movies to be used as TV styduis?

Slight confusion here. Studio D is at BBC Elstree Centre (it is owned by the BBC as is the centre) You can hire it - not at the moment as there is a general election due and its a bit busy. You can hire most of the BBC studio operations including those at Elstree Studios across the road - they were converted to TV use when TVC closed. They are owned by Hertsmere council & the BBC sublet them, then hire them out to productions be it BBC or independent... oh and just to confuse the matter completely both sites are actually in Borehamwood

Studio D is a BBC studio hired out by Studioworks,


Yes, BBC Studioworks (as they are called now) took over the stages at Elstree Film Studios and converted them into TV studios using some ex-TV Centre equipment, they hire them out and Studio D at BBC Elstree.

Incidently, Studio D was previously owned by ITV company ATV and it is where The Muppet Show was filmed.

From 1st September 2017, BBC Studioworks owned and operated studios will be - BBC Elstree Centre: Studio D along with Stages A, B and C which are used by Eastenders and a stage area used for Holby City. There is also a very small Studio E located next to Studio D.

They have a deal with Elstree Film Studios which is a totally separate company which many get confused. They have a joint deal where BBC Studioworks are responsible for the hiring out and operating Stages 8 and 9. BBC have first pick for George Lucas Stage 2 which is used for Strictly. This week it will be used by ITV for Britain's Got Talent Live Semi Finals and Finals, with BBC Studioworks providing the technical support to ITV.

Television Centre: Studios TC1, TC2 and TC3 will be up and running. The Jonathan Ross Show for ITV and Strictly Come Dancing It takes two will be the first productions made at the centre this September.

So actually, BBC Studioworks will have a very good amount of London studio space to offer.

All this sounds confusing like when I learned that a stage in TVC didn't mean a sound stage. So is BBC Elstree Center a complete BBC property where Studio D is owned by Studioworks for inside and outside hire? It looks like the site is mainly used for their soaps and exterior sets.

Yes, BBC Elstree is mainly home of two dramas: EastEnders and Holby City. Studio D is the only general purpose studio there

Thank you.

Yes - BBC Elstree (not to be confused with BBC Studioworks at Elstree Film Studios) is a BBC owned and operated site. Studio D is the only real studio on the BBC Elstree site, which is otherwise dedicated to making EastEnders (a 4 day a week soap) and Holby City (a weekly hospital drama). Studio D is operated by BBC Studioworks. For years it was largely ignored in favour of the studios at TV Centre, but it has always had the scope to be a decent studio. And now it is getting a lot of work, quite rightly.

Even more confusingly, BBC Elstree was formerly an ITV studio centre (The Muppet Show was made there). When ITV re-organised, and ATV (which ran the site - even though, by then, it was no longer in the ATV region) sold the site, the BBC bought it in the early 80s. Prior to the ITV contractor running it as TV studios, it was also a film studio site.

The film stages that the BBC have converted to TV studios at Elstree Film (at least Stage 8 and 9) have had proper studio floors fitted, and reasonable TV facilities installed (though they are a little unusual...) The lighting grids leave a lot to be desired - so the studios are really best suited to long-term 'set standing' productions - like game shows. Which is why Pointless and The Chase are long term bookings there.

The three studios at Television Centre were purpose built for television. Studio TC2 and TC3 both opened in 1960 when the Television Centre became fully operational. The largest studio TC1 opened in 1964. It is such a shame that the remaining studios had to be knocked down. There was hope that TC4 could have remained, sadly money played an important part and TC4 was no more along with the remaining studios.

There was also a hope that TC8 (very popular with sit coms) could have been retained. But that also wasn't to be.

Yes, the problem was that TC8 was located on the far side of the complex. TC1, TC2 and TC3 are all said by side, and so would TC4 if they bothered to keep it. TC8 however would be far away from that area, the BBC wanted to locate themselves in one small area of the complex and leave the rest to Stanhope.

If TC8 had been retained, it would mean TC1, TC2 and TC3 all based in one area, with TC8 left on its own on the other side of the complex. That is why they did not retain it.

It was a great studio. I have been there and seen it, it was truly a very good studio. Perfect for sitcoms and talk shows.