Peel and SIS sign 10 year deal to run MediaCityUK studios
Peel Media has signed a 10-year agreement with the BBC to provide production and technical services at MediaCityUK.
A new company - formed by Peel in partnership with Satellite Information Services (SIS) - will run MediaCityUK's seven HD studios and its post-production, content and technical services.
The Peel and SIS joint venture will work with the BBC, Salford University and other media partners to "develop further new technologies and services" at the Salford Quays development.
The partnership deal follows SIS's decision to relocate its 100-strong production and engineering operation to MediaCityUK.
Richard Deverell, chief operating officer of BBC North, said: “This new agreement with Peel Media will help ensure that BBC North becomes a leading innovator in digital media and content production in the UK.
"Additionally we hope that the deal will make MediaCityUK a first choice destination for companies interested in working in partnership with the BBC."
David Holdgate, chief executive at SIS, added: “I am delighted to finalise this agreement and confirm our involvement in running the fantastic new facilities at MediaCityUK, both for the BBC and other users.
"The opportunities for the broadcast community offered by these new facilities are vast, and we look forward to developing long-term relationships with many organisations within the broadcast community as part of this."
The new company running MediaCityUK's studios will be led by an operational team of Sinead Greenaway and Andy Waters of Peel and Phil Aspden from SIS.
Further team announcements are expected in the coming weeks as the venture gets up and running.
MediaCityUK studios are now being used for a series of test programmes and will be operational from January when the first live TV shows will be produced.