BBC “Failing” The North
BBC Bosses have been accused of failing the North East region with a lack of production and investment in the Tyneside area.
Leaders of the Liberal Democrat run Newcastle Council are highlighting the lack of new production and concern over the cutbacks in regional television.
Newcastle Council Leader John Shipley told the Evening Chronicle newspaper:
“The BBC appear to think they have served the North of England by moving part of their operation to Salford. They seem oblivious to the fact that Salford is as far from Newcastle as it is from London. They are a public broadcaster with public responsibilities. They should be producing more shows in the North East.”
Concerns have previously been raised by the Northern Film and Media body over the decline in moving image production in the region. Tyne Tees Televison closed their major City Road studios in 2005, moving to a much smaller news-only operation in Gateshead. In the 70s and 80s Tyne Tees produced major programming for ITV and later Channel 4 including series such as Face the Press, The Tube and several drama productions.
The City Council will vote on a motion this Wednesday suggesting the council write to ITV and the BBC to seek commitment to form a partnership dedicated to new media projects in the area. The BBC in Newcastle had news-operation only studios until the mid-1980s, however the large studio at ‘the Pink Palace’ has rarely been used for network production.
A BBC spokesperson commented: “Peter Salmon, Director BBC North, will be working closely with colleagues including BBC Newcastle, to ensure the North East does have a stronger voice.” They told the newspaper.
