16 December 2010
ITV has reinforced its commitment to production in the north west
after agreeing terms with Peel Media Ltd to move the company’s
Manchester base to MediaCityUK in Salford Quays in
2012.
Adam Crozier, Chief Executive ITV plc, said: “It’s terrific news
for ITV and all of our people based in Manchester that we have
agreed this deal with Peel Media Ltd. This continues our long
and successful relationship with the region which has played such a
key part in ITV’s heritage as a programme maker.
“ITV is already one of the UK’s biggest investors in original
content and as we progress our Transformation Plan which is focused
on growing our national and international production and
broadcasting business, it is vital that we have a modern,
fit-for-purpose, creative hub outside of London.
“Coronation Street is an incredible brand and as we celebrate
its 50th anniversary, it’s fantastic news that we are able to
invest in the construction of a modern production centre to ensure
that the nation’s best loved soap remains at the top of its game
for another half a century.”
John Whittaker, chairman, The Peel Group, said: “ITV is an
outstanding international brand producing a fantastic range of
popular programmes and I am delighted it has taken a strategic
decision to move to MediaCityUK. This is a landmark deal for
both MediaCityUK and The Peel Group, and is critical in helping to
deliver the long-term vision that we share with all our
partners.”
ITV is set to build a bespoke production and studio centre for
Coronation Street. The stand alone facility, which will be subject
to a long-term lease, would be built by ITV on a 7.7 acre site at
Trafford Wharf, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum North and
accessed by a new bridge across the waterway to the main
MediaCityUK complex.
A dedicated site has also been earmarked for ITV across several
floors within MediaCityUK’s Orange Building, providing modern
accommodation equipped with the latest technology for ITV Studios’
production and management teams, ITV regional news, and support
staff from across the business.
Capita Symonds’ real estate division provided ITV with strategic
property advice throughout the discussions with Peel and other
landowners within greater Manchester. This has involved detailed
due diligence and negotiation of the key commercial points of the
deal up to legal completion.
... This is a landmark deal for both MediaCityUK and The Peel Group, and is critical in helping to deliver the long-term vision that we share with all our partners...
Coronation Street’s move to MediaCityUK, which is subject to
planning consent from Trafford Council, extends ITV’s long
relationship with the north west of England. ITV Studios is the
region’s biggest producer of original content, with over 700 hours
of programming made annually.
The very latest developments in technology and production
facilities are set to be incorporated in the new Coronation Street
complex. Plans for the site alongside the historic Manchester Ship
Canal include a new external film set – built to greater scale than
before to equip the soap for the demands of future broadcasting
developments, whilst also replicating the original appearance of
Weatherfield. The production centre would also include two sound
stage buildings, specialist production facilities and offices,
dressing rooms and meeting space for production staff and
cast.
In addition to the Coronation Street complex, ITV Studios also
has the opportunity to take advantage of MediaCityUK’s dedicated
production facilities – one of the largest high definition studio
complexes in Europe. ITV’s regional news team will broadcast
from a dedicated studio within the Orange building.