1 region down! When should we expect this set to be rolled out to the other regions? I expect Wales should get it when they move into their new HQ later this year?
I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect regions may only get the new set if there is a move on the cards and then I wouldn't hold my breath.
I guess for most regions the sets won't be as a grand as what Granada got. Real life versions of the London one, using the rear projection screens in much the same way as before.
ITV completes phase one of migration in to MediaCityUK
The first transmission of ITV News Granada Reports from MediaCityUK today (25 March 2013) signifies ITV’s completion of phase one of their migration out of Quay Street.
Over the past six months 500 staff have relocated from the company’s city centre premises including departments such as CITV, Factual, Entertainment, News, Drama, The Jeremy Kyle show and various business support services.
Based over 62 000 sq ft the vibrantly designed floors include a state-of-the-art ‘glass box’ news studio with 360 degree shooting ability and a glass walled stop-motion animation studio. Designed by Manchester based ID:SR, Britain's biggest commercial programme provider now inhabits an open plan, collaborative workspace, which incorporates design features reflecting both the history of the company and elements of the television industry.
Adam Crozier, Chief Executive, ITV plc said: “Our move to a new, modern, fit for purpose base in MediaCityUK is vital in enabling us to focus on growing our national and international production and broadcasting business.
“We have been the biggest original content provider in the region for over half a century. Joining this creative hub outside of London, ensures the region is not only an important part of ITV’s history, it’s also a hugely important part of our future”.
Manchester Move Director, Jon Huddleston, said: “Imaginative interior design, efficient space lay-out and improvements in technology have all combined to create the creative and collaborative office space that we were seeking to achieve.
“The Orange tower is now a flagship for ITV's operations. Core to our thinking was to ensure that our space reflected the fact that we are a TV company - making the stunning "glass-box" newsroom a centre-piece was a massively important element of achieving this vision".
Stephen Wild, managing director of MediaCityUK, said: “We are delighted that ITV have completed the first phase of their move to MediaCityUK. The arrival of ITV staff is hugely significant to the thriving media community here, which is also home to nearly a hundred smaller creative businesses. With ITV News Granada Reports now broadcasting from Orange Tower, MediaCityUK becomes the biggest news hub outside London."
Editors Notes:
Coronation Street remains at Quay Street until their move to a bespoke 7.7 acre site next to the Imperial War Museum. The site is currently under construction and the programme will move at a later date.
ITV has 64000 square feet in the Orange Tower on the main piazza of MediaCityUK.
Designed by ID:SR and fitted out by Overbury PLC the three floors house circa 500 people.
The ‘glass box’ newsroom is based on floor four and has a 360 shooting capability giving the ability for backdrop to be the Imperial War Museum and canal, or into the newsroom.
A stop motion animation studio forms part of CITV’s area.
The Jeremy Kyle show was the first ITV programme to film in Dock 10 in the main studio block.
Programmes such as Tonight, You've Been Framed, Countdown and University Challenge, produced by ITV Studios and Countrywise and Weight Loss Ward produced by ITV Studios' factual division Shiver are also produced in the Orange Tower.
