ITV leaves the South Bank

[gottago]

It actually was publicly announced last year but the move started today which is probably why this new press release has come out. Waterhouse Square will completely close next week while Gray's Inn will shut in Spring 2023. 

Broadcast Centre now has what might well be a unique set up of having a BBC branded reception right next to an ITV branded one. Any regional examples of this?

Have to admit I completely forgot that ITV were moving to White City. Wasn't Waterhouse Square always meant to be temporary though?

Initially yes, but when it was decided they wouldn't be returning to the Southbank the intention was to stay in Waterhouse Sq. Then Covid happened and much of the workforce has been encouraged to spit working between home and the office so to save office costs they've drastically reduced the footprint they've got and moved to a more appropriate location.

[XIII]

Initially yes, but when it was decided they wouldn't be returning to the Southbank the intention was to stay in Waterhouse Sq. Then Covid happened and much of the workforce has been encouraged to spit working between home and the office so to save office costs they've drastically reduced the footprint they've got and moved to a more appropriate location.

I've said this before but it surprised me that ITV leased space in Holborn when it's very expensive compared to other places in London. I do wonder if they ever considered Stratford as a potential location.

[thegeek]

There were definitely rumours swirling round that they were considering Here East, but I think there was a bit of resistance from staff who were used to commuting to a short walk from Waterloo. Waterhouse Square was not too far off the beaten path, especially given its proximity to GIR.

[Transmission]

A bit strange going into a BBC building to be met by cardboard cut-outs of Lorraine Kelly and Trevor McDonald!

They've taken the BBC Radio logos off of the lifts as well (same as Broadcasting House, each lift played a different station).

[XIII]

There were definitely rumours swirling round that they were considering Here East, but I think there was a bit of resistance from staff who were used to commuting to a short walk from Waterloo. Waterhouse Square was not too far off the beaten path, especially given its proximity to GIR.

Here East would be a good home for ITV and considering the regeneration of the area plus the connections from Stratford Station and Hackney Wick, it's not exactly the middle of nowhere.

[Tramlink]

I thought ITV Daytime & The (what was LWT) live shows went to TVC & Salford in 2018?

[JK1985]

Can someone tell me, will ITN be moving out of Grays Inn Road? Someone here said it shuts in 2023, so where will ITV News move?

ITV leased space at GIR, ITN aren't moving,

I thought ITV Daytime & The (what was LWT) live shows went to TVC & Salford in 2018?

Good Morning Britain and This Morning moved into Studio TC3 at Television Centre in 2018
Lorraine and Loose Women moved into Studio TC2 at Television Centre in 2018. 

None of the daytime shows moved to Salford.

[Brekkie]

Presumably ITV will be looking to renew that TVC deal if they haven't done so already - wasn't it initially supposed to be for 5 years?

[JK1985]

Presumably ITV will be looking to renew that TVC deal if they haven't done so already - wasn't it initially supposed to be for 5 years?

Hi Brekkie, their original deal was for five years, running from spring 2018 until spring 2023, however when they announced in late 2018 that they had abandoned their plans to return to their South Bank site, and they will remain at Television Centre, it was said that the five year deal was changed, to a simple ongoing contract after the five year deal. So most likely renewed on a yearly basis. 

When they moved to Television Centre, there was a little bit of an outcry over their use of Studio TC3.  Using TC2 was fine, as that size of studio was never going to be used by big TV productions, and so Lorraine and Loose Women, along with Peston suit TC2.  

However TC3 is 8,000 Sq Ft and many production companies said it was very unfair that Good Morning Britain and This Morning simply took over the studio on a full time basis, with permanent back to back sets built into the studio.  This made TC3 unavailable to any other production, especially those with studio audiences, as the TC3 of pre 2013 could have audiences of around 300 in it for all kinds of shows.

[Brekkie]

Although now it is being used for 10 shows a week totalling 27.5 hours, so probably on screen more than ever.

[JK1985]

Although now it is being used for 10 shows a week totalling 27.5 hours, so probably on screen more than ever.

Yes, but I read that many production companies would have liked TC3 remain available for sitcoms, chat shows, quiz shows etc, instead of just Good Morning Britain and This Morning being the only shows able to use the vast studio. 

TC3 at 8,000 Sq Ft is a perfect studio for large audience based shows, and I guess a lot of entertainment shows which currently use Elstree, Pinewood or Manchester's Dock10 studios would have used TC3 if it was available.

[Brekkie]

It's not as if no game shows have been produced in the last 4 years - and increasingly they are produced out of London anyway as they're an easy way to fulfil quotas.

[agentsquash]

instead of just Good Morning Britain and This Morning being the only shows able to use the vast studio. 

Don't ITV occasionally use it for other special shows? Seem to recall there being one during COVID.

[XIII]

I doubt Studioworks really cares that they're not getting multiple bookings in TC3 as I imagine ITV are paying decent dosh for GMB and This Morning.

[JK1985]

Yes, I was not speaking about BBC Studioworks, they are very happy with the long term agreement with ITV Daytime. However I have read a lot from independent production companies, who would have liked another medium to large TV studio at Television Centre. Considering there is only TC1 available, I can see their point.