The search is underway for the new Channel 4 national headquarters. The broadcaster has outlined its plans to more than 100 representatives from UK cities and regions. The bidding process kicked off with a presentation led by Chief Executive, Alex Mahon, at the current London headquarters in Horseferry Road. Also webcasted online to invitees across the UK, representatives did not want to miss out on the opportunity to host the new HQ for one of the UK’s biggest headquarters.
Within the 35 year history of the broadcaster, this will be the biggest structural change. Called the ‘4 All in the UK’ initiative, Channel 4 aims to open 3 new ‘creative hubs’, with the largest being the new national HQ, with facilities including TV studios and spaces to host executive and board meetings. The decision on the winning location will not be released until later this year. A 15-page brochure will be distributed to the 100 plus prospective representatives. This brochure will outline all the details and requirements that Channel 4 are looking for.
This initiative will see 300 out of its 800 employees, moving out of the capital. Three new news bureaux will be opened, trebling the numbers of news jobs in the regions by 2020. Spend on shows, made by TV production companies based outside of London, will rise from £169m annually to approximately £350m a year by 2023.
Hosting the broadcasters new home, sparked interest in over a dozen cities and regions across the UK. Brighton, Sheffield, and Hull are to name just a few. But who are the main runners?
Birmingham
Offering 2 prime locations for the new HQ location, Birmingham was quickest out of the blocks. They proposed a site near the city centre’s high speed rail station. Birmingham will also become home to half of BBC3’s operations this year, responsible for a third of BBC3’s £30m budget.
Leeds
Sky@LeedsDock is a major technology centre within Leeds, owned by another huge broadcaster, Sky. This centre employees 650 staff, that work on apps and websites, all to primarily enhance customer service. This city is also home to the Sky-owned regional TV production company, True North. These are one of the biggest TV production companies within the UK and produce shows for major channels such as MTV, Channel 5, National Geographic, BBC and Channel 4.
Bristol
Bristol is home to the BBC’s Natural History Unit, the masterminds behind the award-winning Blue Planet 2 documentary series. Production companies, such as the makers of Wallace and Gromit – Aardman Animations – and Bottleyard Studios, where shows such as Poldark and The Crystal Maze are filmed, are both current residents within the city.
Manchester
ITV have significant operations within Manchester, with over 750 staff working on various productions including Coronation Street. Sky also have 32 employees within an office for their Sky Media Sales operations, as does Channel 4. Salford is home to MediaCity, a creative hub that hosts a BBC base of 2700 employees. The hub also produces content for ITV, as well as CBeebies and Radio 5. Mastermind and Dragons’ Den, are also produced at the hub.
An early ambitious bid by former Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has left the ‘favourite’ quiet in the race. The now Mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote directly to former Culture Secretary Karen Bradley, stating that Greater Manchester was “the only viable alternative outside of London”.
Channel 4 has also committed to spend half of its £700m annual programme budget, with TV production companies outside of London, by 2023.
Leave A Comment