The Newsroom

South West England & CI Thread

Justin Leigh to leave the BBC (January 2009)

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ST
Stuart

Westcountry TV wasn't awash with money. They rented their building in Plympton from the Council. It was just a converted industrial unit.

Didn't TSW try and challenge the franchise award to Westcountry? That meant that they didn't enter into negotiations with each other about passing on their studios - as Southern did to TVS, and then TVS did to Meridian with regard to Northam? That meant that Westcountry had to find their own location pretty quickly? Or am I misremembering?

You are remembering correctly, noggin.

The challenge by TSW dragged on into 1992 before Westcountry were able to sign the franchise agreement. Westcountry later blamed the delay on their decision not to build new studios and to convert the rented unit in Plympton instead.

I don't believe there was ever any proposal to take over the TSW facilities at Derry's Cross, but I'd imagine TSW scuppered any chance of that with their legal challenge anyway!
PA
parrferris
I seem to recall that Westcountry originally had some quite grand plans for a studio complex at Sutton Harbour. It was the delay caused by TSW's high court challenge rather than lack of readies that meant they had to do a rush job on the shed at Langage instead. They must have had a reasonable degree of financial backing; one of the public concerns around their franchise application was the make-up of the consortium which included Brittany Ferries, South West Water (rarely out of the news at the time) and Associated Newspapers (owners of the Western Morning News).
DE
deejay
I seem to recall that Westcountry originally had some quite grand plans for a studio complex at Sutton Harbour. It was the delay caused by TSW's high court challenge rather than lack of readies that meant they had to do a rush job on the shed at Langage instead. They must have had a reasonable degree of financial backing; one of the public concerns around their franchise application was the make-up of the consortium which included Brittany Ferries, South West Water (rarely out of the news at the time) and Associated Newspapers (owners of the Western Morning News).


Isn't Sutton Harbour where the BBC are moving to? When is that due to happen by the way?
FU
fusionlad Founding member


Isn't Sutton Harbour where the BBC are moving to? When is that due to happen by the way?


I've been wondering that myself. I THINK it's Spring 2011 but that may have been pushed back now. Anyone got any more concrete news?

16 days later

HT
HTV Best
Points West is coming from a 'green screen' studio this morning with only one part of the sofa being used - problems?
SW
swindonlad
They were coming from a temporary set last night, not a green screen though, and the weather came from outside. On the wide shot at the end of the program there was a stacked BBC logo (looked like light boxes) to the right of the sofas.
HT
HTV Best
Does this mean they are going to get the 'national' style set?
LL
Ll0ydy
Does this mean they are going to get the 'national' style set?


I hope not! I like the Points West set!

The other day I watched their lunchtime update, and the programme came from the usual studio at half 6 - on the same day.
JF
JamesyFish
Looks like we're getting a new set... but surely this can't be permanent?!
http://grab.by/708H
Last edited by JamesyFish on 22 October 2010 6:35pm
LL
Ll0ydy
Looks like we're getting a new set... but surely this can't be permanent?!
http://grab.by/708H


What do you mean by permanent? Apparently it's in the BBC Bristol reception. Spot the difference; (hint - black table). lol
http://imgur.com/8RbhP.png
JF
JamesyFish
I meant it's clear that we're getting a new set, but I assume that the above picture isn't it... Shocked Shocked
NG
noggin Founding member
Dear God - have they not read the BBC Logo branding guidelines (I know they are largely irrelevant these days)

The B B C logo should never be seen like that. If it is to run vertically it should be rotated as a whole, not by rotating the individual letters.

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