10 reasons why BBC move into the regions should be encouraged
The Drum looks at 10 positive reasons why the BBC should be looking more to the regions for its future content and why the plan should be embraced.
1. The BBC needs to boost its presence in order to fulful the current BBC charter lists 'representing the UK, its nations, regions and communities' as ones of the corporations key mission statements.
2. Regional BBC hubs in Cardiff and Bristol are already home to major BBC productions such as Doctor Who and The Archers, while BBC Scotland is the home of long-running gameshow The Weakest Link, and is growing employment within production in each region as a result. This will be especially true should many of the London-based staff chose not to move.
3. According to the latest Rajar stats, BBC Local Radio is adding listeners year on year, as more audiences tune in for community news, proving that there is a want for local content on media platforms, which the BBC must supply.
4. Since digital production initiative @North was launched in September 2009, £500,000 worth of work has been invested in digital content for CBeebies and CBBC, created by agencies from Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle.
5. Similarly, the Radio 5 Live Kicker Fund has invested £40,000 in seven new commissions from independent radio producers from across the North. An additional £40,000 has been committed for 2011/2012.
6. Salford University will open a brand new campus at MediaCityUK for more than 1500 students and staff, with specialist courses to be run alongside the BBC.
7. The BBC's involvement in Salford will boost regeneration efforts in the local area and encourage higher education standards, providing young people with genuine opportunities to work locally.
8. Once the BBC TV department moves to Salford, it will mean that more than 40% of network television production will be produced outside London alone. This will bring new people into the area to live and work, while hopefully creating new roles and boosting the local economy.
9. The presence of ITV operations, including Coronation Street and the Granada regional news team at MediaCityUK will create healthy competition between organisations.
10. With members of the Future Media & Technology department relocating to Salford, it is likely to boost both online and mobile content for use across all BBC regions and increase knowledge and opportunities to the local online industry.