As an interim measure ITV will announce more redundancies next month, and is considering closing Yorkshire TV and making Emmerdale, its other famous soap, set in the Dales, from Manchester.

Has Granada got the capacity for that???

Jeremy Paxman presented the first in a series of documentaries called "The Victorians" last night on BBC1. Last night focused on how Victorian artists portrayed the changing landscapes of C19 Britain. The programme itself, while interesting, is a bit of a mess; however, a lot of the filming was done in Manchester, including fabulous shots of the town hall, and skyline shots from the Beetham. If you have an hour to spare, I expect it's on iPlayer.

This from the Guardian, raising the possibility of ITV moving current Leeds operations to Manchester

Loss of ITV Leeds HQ would be a 'killer blow' to Yorkshire

ITV would deal a "killer blow" to the production sector in Yorkshire and Humberside if it closed its network programming base in the region, which is home to Emmerdale and A Touch of Frost, the broadcaster has been warned.
It is understood that ITV is looking at rationalising its network production in the north of England as part of a raft of cost-cutting measures, with executives questioning whether it needs its Leeds studios as well as its Manchester Quay Street site.
The broadcaster has admitted it is "carefully examining all options" to try to cut costs, with staff at the Leeds centre told they will be updated in greater detail on their future on 4 March, when the broadcaster releases its full-year results for 2008. However, it is thought that it could take until July for a full plan for the reorganisation of ITV's northern production operation to be unveiled.
The broadcaster is expected to announce "savage" job cuts, with up to 500 staff departing, and a reduction in its £1bn-a-year programming budget as it seeks to tackle its onerous £2.6bn pension fund and manage debt in the worst advertising recession for more than a decade.
Around 600 people work at the five-acre Leeds site in Kirkstall Road, which was set up in 1967 by then independent ITV company Yorkshire Television.
The Leeds site houses production offices for four major ITV network shows - Heartbeat, The Royal, Emmerdale and A Touch of Frost - as well as Channel 4's Countdown.
However, ITV recently confirmed it was shelving Heartbeat and The Royal, while A Touch of Frost will end later this year when David Jason retires from the title role. It is thought Countdown could also be moved to another production centre, while Emmerdale would remain on its purpose-built permanent set on the Harewood estate near Leeds.
Lee Bartlett, the managing director of ITV's global content, who ultimately oversees the Leeds operation, admitted that regional production had to stand up commercially.
"We obviously have to produce in London and outside London, whether it's Leeds or Manchester or both, but it's becoming a commercial question," Bartlett said at a Broadcasting Press Guild event yesterday.
"Any company in today's economic environment needs to look at their production efficiencies and whether what they do makes sense. Putting aside the impact that it has on people and the way things have been in the past, if you look at things purely commercially, you come up with one answer and when you layer on the human factor you have to modify that," he added.
Bartlett said that Emmerdale would "go on forever" and would "always" be produced in Leeds, adding: "We will always have a presence in Leeds."
He added that despite Heartbeat being shelved, ITV was also looking at ways of resurrecting it more cheaply. "We are taking a look at Heartbeat and seeing what we can do to make it less expensive and make it more modern so that the production of the show can continue," he said.
Redundancies were made at the Leeds studios last year and those who have worked there say there has been little investment for some time.
"The studios are very old and rickety," said Johannah Dyer, the chief executive of independent production company Hotbed Media, which filmed Channel 4 gameshow Win My Wage in ITV's Leeds studios. "There was no investment going on and it felt like the writing was on the wall."
Broadcasting insiders said that any move by ITV away from Yorkshire - one of its key network production bases for more than 40 years - would be a big blow to the region, particularly because the broadcaster has already signalled a retreat from north-east England with the axing of Newcastle-based Wire in the Blood.
Ruth Pitt, a board member of regional production body Screen Yorkshire and a former head of documentaries at ITV company Granada Television in Manchester, said that although she understood the extreme financial pressures the broadcaster faced, any move away from the region would be "deeply concerning" and a "killer blow" to local production talent.
"I feel for ITV because their position is really tough and while nobody in the Yorkshire area would demand more programmes for the sake of it, it is a political representation issue," Pitt added.
"Everybody understands the dilemma ITV faces to get good value for money, but it can't pretend that 6 million people in Yorkshire and Humberside don't exist. For me, if essentially all ITV production was in the north-west [of England] or London, it would change the whole voice of ITV. Why would people in the whole of the rest of northern England bother to watch if they couldn't see anything that was their own on it?" she said.
Pitt added that having Emmerdale as the sole ITV network champion in Yorkshire would be "like saying to the people of London we will give you EastEnders and everything else will come from somewhere else. It is just unthinkable".
Her Screen Yorkshire colleague Andrew Craske said that ITV was key to the region's production scene. "ITV is very important. It has a long history of production here and it has been the core of Yorkshire's TV and wider film production," Craske added.
Dyer said that having no ITV studio in Leeds would mean productions would have to film in Manchester or London. "It is ridiculous. The problem Leeds has is that it is too close to Manchester. If you are looking at it coldly and economically, you would say we have got the big studios in Manchester and in Media City [in Salford, which are currently under construction]," she added.
"From an economic point of view, you can argue that case, I suppose, but my argument would be to move more stuff out of London and put it in Leeds. There are great craft people in that area."
An ITV spokesman said that "operational reviews" were taking place to "ensure that ITV is in the best shape to meet the unprecedented challenges facing the economy".
"Following the recent announcement that production on Heartbeat and The Royal would be rested after completion of the current year's filming, we wrote to ITV staff based in Leeds to update them on the potential implications of that decision. ITV is carefully examining all options and we will update staff in greater detail in early March," the spokesman added.

From the MEN blog: The Life of Wylie (http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ianwylie/2009/02/itv_crisis_nears_dday.html)

ITV Crisis Nears D-Day

SWITCH on your TV and all looks normal.

But behind the scenes ITV is fighting for its very life.

As the BBC this morning announced a revised package of relocation measures for staff moving from London to MediaCity in Salford.

You can read the online version of today's MEN story here (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1097432_bbc_cuts_salford_relocation_terms).

The future of Granada’s Quay Street site in Manchester is among decisions at the top of ITV’s agenda.

Will it decide to raise much needed cash by selling its Manchester home?

And join the BBC in a new base at MediaCity?

You don’t need an expert to tell you that we are somewhere near the bottom of the property and land market.

But these are desperate times for ITV and a move may prove attractive if it raises funds and can be self-financing.

Leading to cost savings in the long term.

As discussed before, moving Coronation Street to a new home at Salford Quays is perfectly possible.

A decision to either stay in Manchester or move to Salford is now long overdue.

Delayed by ITV’s internal problems in the face of plunging revenues from advertising in the current recession, along with the fall in land values.

Plus the effect the economic downturn has had on those who might re-develop a city site like Quay Street.

Not exactly a great time to build new shops, offices or a hotel.

There has been speculation that ITV may close its Yorkshire HQ in Leeds.

With some even suggesting production of Emmerdale could transfer to Manchester or Salford – which appears unlikely.

Emmerdale has a purpose built village location in Yorkshire.

And is expected to stay on that side of the Pennines.

But the recent decision to put future series of Heartbeat and The Royal on ice must be of concern to anyone working in Leeds.

We will know more on March 4.

That’s the day ITV publishes its annual results for 2008.

And the day it will also release details of yet more big job cuts, along with the wider results of a review of its business.

ITV may also finally tell us whether it plans to stay in Manchester or move to Salford.

Although it’s been reported that we may have to wait until the summer for a full plan for the north of England to be finalised.

While the prospect of a future takeover of ITV cannot be ruled out.

As I said, it’s fighting for its very life.

Posted by Ian Wylie on February 18, 2009 12:25 PM

Visionary or anachronistic?


Article from Crain's Manchester Business http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090220/FREE/902209995/1089


New TV station aimed at gay and lesbian community to be in Manchester

By James Chapelard


A new TV station aimed at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community is to be based in Manchester.

Fruit TV will contain original programming and broadcast over the internet at www.fruittv.tv for free.

Fruit TV Ltd, based on Deansgate, which will startlater this year, will be a one-stop shop for both television and radio programmes aimed at the global LGBT population.

Director of commissioning Ashley Byrne said: “There will be a selection of documentaries and drama through to arts, lifestyle, comedy and short films. Also biographies, light entertainment shows and other regular features from all around the globe. We are even working on a radio soap aimed at the LGBT world.”

Fruit TV is being formed through a partnership between radio and TV production company Made in Manchester of which Byrne is creative director, former ITV editor Scott Heslop, ex-Granada assistant producer Anthony Beswick and gay business owner Iain Scott, one of the partners of Taurus bar in Manchester’s gay village.

Bryne added: “Viewing and listening habits are changing with people increasingly using the Internet. So far though there’s little quality content that’s being made exclusively for online audiences. Fruit TV will change all that.”

Director of programme production Scott Heslop said: “Fruit TV is about providing exclusive programming for an audience under-represented and un-catered for. LGBT issues have been forgotten about by the media because producers think they’ve done ‘the gay thing’ but many of the issues are still there and with equality comes new challenges and new stories to tell.”



The link with Taurus is interesting given that venue is already something of a cultural hub within the village hosting a wide variety of events from theatre, art, comedy, live music in its own performance space - alongside the inevitable bar and resturant. If nothing else this is a highly commendable and potentially lucrative bit of diversification on their behalf.

Things are definitely looking up for the promotion of local/north-west filmaking talent with a re-launch of both Kinofilm and Filmonik, it also [hopefully] looks like a return for the Manchester International Short Film Festival that MCC pulled funding for after their 2006 event.

To everyone that's into all this, get behind it & support the festivals return :okay:

KINO SHORTS Returns!
http://www.kinofilm.org.uk/

CALL FOR ENTRIES to KINOFILM’S New Short Film Expose in Manchester.

SHORT FILMS and INDEPENDENT FEATURES are wanted now.

KINOFILM is relaunching its film nights in Manchester to take place the second Wednesday of every month, the first being on Wednesday 11th March 2008 (7.30 for 8.00pm start), at the Green Room, Whitworth Street.

We are looking for short films from local filmmakers and those based anywhere in the North of England. The emphasis is on Quality Production and Original Ideas, films that push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. Films can be short fiction, animation, experimental or documentary. Films must be no more than 20 minutes and made in the last twelve months (the more recent the better). We will also consider shorts from other parts of the UK as long as the filmmaker is prepared to attend the screening at their own cost.

The emphasis on the night is to encourage debate and feedback for films being made in the North and North West, and how our region’s filmmakers rate to those in other parts of the UK. Each event will also screen a UK and European Short film so that we can evaluate films in the context of European Short Film Production.

Continues Here... (http://www.kinofilm.org.uk/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articleid=36)


And the [possible] return of the festival:

IMPORTANT: YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED
http://www.kinofilm.org.uk/

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP CAMPAIGN TO BRING BACK KINOFILM - MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS. SIGN UP AND LEAVE COMMENTS TO SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...0868880&ref=nf (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49650868880&ref=nf)

FIRST HERE"S THE GOOD NEWS (and yes we are shouting about it)!

Our first main Funder has come on board to support our efforts in relaunching the KINOFILM Festival. Though we've had some disappointment over the last few months, at last we have something to shout about. Good news yes, but we still have to raise two thirds of our intended budget, so there is still much hard work to do.

Shortly, we'll officially announce the return of Kino as a European Short Film Festival for Manchester in Feb 2010. As soon as we post news on this page we will also forward an email to all members, friends and supporters and also post it on our associated sites (our Facebook Kino Appreciation Society page), our Myspace page, and the official Kinofilm web site. We'll also be announcing soon an official Call for Entries - so keep checking back our page for important news.

In the meantime, do forward this link to anyone from the Northwest or across the UK and Europe who has any interest in short film and seeing the return of KINOFILM -and do extend it to your friends and colleagues around the world. Help us spread the word that Kino is making a comeback.

Continues Here... (http://www.kinofilm.org.uk/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articleid=35)

This following the relaunch of Filmonik:

Filmonik is back!
http://www.northernfilmnetwork.com (http://www.northernfilmnetwork.com/blog/filmonik-is-back)
Jan 16, 03:08 PM by Kate Taylor

Announcing Filmonik 2.0 Odder, 14 Oxford Rd, Southern Quarter, Manchester, M1 5QA, Tel: 0161 238 9131, 1 February from 7.30pm “Do well with nothing, do better with little, and do it now!”

Filmonik 1.0 was the region’s first “Open Mic Night” for filmmakers, attracting national attention for its unique screening policy. Emphasising resourcefulness and raw talent over polish and high production values, it offers an open door and a warm welcome for those making films with the minimum of means.

Now, after a few months off to recharge the batteries, Filmonik is back – and back to basics. We’ve an exciting new venue – Odder, winner of the Beda Awards for Best Bar UK and Best Bar North 07 – 08 – and a new screening schedule – first Sunday, every other month. But our commitment to film remains unchanged.

As before, we will provide a genuine, censure-free platform. We offer a chance for experimentation and eccentricity, for unexpected collaborations and maverick creativity to flourish.

We want filmmakers to be inspired, encouraged, even driven to create new work specifically for our screenings. We will give you a screen. We will give you a slot. Now get out there and create. Make something new. We challenge you to challenge yourselves.

We are interested in hearing from filmmakers who feel up to that challenge, who have work they want to screen, or films they want to make; from those of you who’ve been with us from the start, and from those of you who want to be part of Filmonik 2.0.

Check out our revamped website www.filmonik.com (http://www.filmonik.com/), or email us for more information at info@filmonik.com (mailto:info@filmonik.com).

Interesting that Filmonik decided to move their screenings from the Northern Quarter to Oxford Road...closer to the student film-makers that provide a lot of their content.

There are a few other short film nights running currently, so will be interesting to see how many can be supported with the same talent base.

Just watching The Victorians again on BBC1 and I must say it is a fantastic advert for your city, to the detriment of mine. You can't buy publicity like that and you should be very grateful for the interest the BBC shows in your city. And now it seems ITV is copying the BBC now in investing in the NW, like never before.

Just watching The Victorians again on BBC1 and I must say it is a fantastic advert for your city, to the detriment of mine. You can't buy publicity like that and you should be very grateful for the interest the BBC shows in your city. And now it seems ITV is copying the BBC now in investing in the NW, like never before.

I told you. That at least, wasn't a testimony to any bias. It was written by Paxman for Christ's sake. Manchester just happens, and not at the detriment of "your" city, to have been the cradle of the industrial revolution. It's used by a lot of academics - are they biased? do they just do it for publicity?

The Victorians was fantastic

here's the link for it on iplayer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hsr7s/The_Victorians_Painting_the_Town/

If i was a Brummy i would be really pissed off at the amount Paxman was ignoring my city.
Manchester was the mercantile city whereas Birmingham was where things got made.

Saying that, next weeks episode is about industry so i would hope Birmingham isnt overlooked.

If i was a Brummy i would be really pissed off at the amount Paxman was ignoring my city.
Manchester was the mercantile city whereas Birmingham was where things got made.

Saying that, next weeks episode is about industry so i would hope Birmingham isnt overlooked.

Manchester was far from just a mercantile city as you claim as engineering was extremely important and of course Joseph Whitworth the famous engineer was born in Stockport and had a factory making lathes in Openshaw.

Manchester also had two locomotive manufacturing sites in Gorton - Beyer Peacock and the Great Central railway workshops.

Manchester also made aircraft and cars and .... I could go on but I won't it would take too long.

Manchester and Birmingham were both momentous Victorian cities and industry played a part of their growth. Paxman chose to use Manchester in the programme because his ancestor moved there - do you think he would have focussed on Brum if his family had moved there instead? Maybe, maybe not. A fact about Brum during Victoria's reign though is that in 1861 Manchester was England's 2nd most populated city and Brum was 4th, while in 1901 Brum was 2nd in the UK (overtaking Glasgow) and Manchester 3rd. That shows Brum was the most attractive provincial city in the UK to go to for work and involvement in industry. And that Kids, is what most pissed me off about the lack of acknowledgement to my city.

Manchester was far from just a mercantile city as you claim as engineering was extremely important and of course Joseph Whitworth the famous engineer was born in Stockport and had a factory making lathes in Openshaw.

Manchester also had two locomotive manufacturing sites in Gorton - Beyer Peacock and the Great Central railway workshops.

Manchester also made aircraft and cars and .... I could go on but I won't it would take too long.

I was actually making a generalisation but i guess that was lost on you. :shifty:

I was actually making a generalisation but i guess that was lost on you. :shifty:

Generalisation? No. Merely an entirely inaccurate statement which is why I have corrected you. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with Manchester's industrial past?

Manchester and Birmingham were both momentous Victorian cities and industry played a part of their growth. Paxman chose to use Manchester in the programme because his ancestor moved there - do you think he would have focussed on Brum if his family had moved there instead? Maybe, maybe not. A fact about Brum during Victoria's reign though is that in 1861 Manchester was England's 2nd most populated city and Brum was 4th, while in 1901 Brum was 2nd in the UK (overtaking Glasgow) and Manchester 3rd. That shows Brum was the most attractive provincial city in the UK to go to for work and involvement in industry. And that Kids, is what most pissed me off about the lack of acknowledgement to my city.

Manchester captured the Victorian imagination more than any other city outside London, hence the focus on the city in any programme about Victorian Britain. There is also the fact that a lot of Victorian Manchester remains intact which makes it a good location to do a programme like this. Birmingham's growth was based on municipal expansion and this is not as sexy a story as a the growth of Manchester's free market shanty town that spread over into other municipalities without actually governing them.

Incidentally on my family research I have discovered loads of ancestors in Aston.

Generalisation? No. Merely an entirely inaccurate statement which is why I have corrected you. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with Manchester's industrial past?

Yeah - whatever.

Generalisation? No. Merely an entirely inaccurate statement which is why I have corrected you. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with Manchester's industrial past?

Stop being a knob

Stop being a knob

Thats sort of what i wanted to say but thought better of it.

On a lighter note, our kid (my sis in Boston) said she saw St. Mary's Social Club in Radcliffe, on TV. Doing an interview with Danny Boyle's dad and sister. I have a good mate in Radcliffe (a Salford lad) and he took me into that club in 1977 and 1994 to watch the cup final. Great little club and very cheap ale. I'd never really heard of Danny Boyle before but I believe he's well respected in the movie industry in the UK, and now the world I guess.

I suppose this should have gone into the Manchester in the media thread but I could be bothered to find it.

Does anybody know if this new Nike advert is filmed in Manchester, the 5 a side pitch looks like the one underneath the Mancunian way!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXwopWUlHU&feature=channel

Does anybody know if this new Nike advert is filmed in Manchester, the 5 a side pitch looks like the one underneath the Mancunian way!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXwopWUlHU&feature=channel

I think it might be in the skate park near Picc station, next to the McDonald hotel. The fact they are all United players makes it a pretty strong bet too.

Does anybody know if this new Nike advert is filmed in Manchester, the 5 a side pitch looks like the one underneath the Mancunian way!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXwopWUlHU&feature=channel

Yes it is. Cool huh?

Yes it is. Cool huh?

yea gives it quite a gritty urban feel too I like it.

From the MCC website:

Reification - The Tony Wilson Experience Part Two
http://www.manchester.gov.uk (http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=4466)
Published Tuesday 24th February 09 in Leisure, libraries and culture news

Manchester creatives has announced Reification: Part Two.

It will take place this summer in the heart of the city that last June staged the hugely successful 24 hour creative and cultural tribute in memory of one of its favourite sons, broadcaster Anthony Wilson.

Reification: The Tony Wilson Experience - a 24 hour nonstop conversation featuring Steve Coogan, Irvine Welsh, Professor Brian Cox and many others - attracted global attention last year despite being put together with very little lead-in time following the death of the Manchester cultural hero, innovator, and entrepreneur.

The creative team behind that event have now formed a social enterprise company - Reification - to stage the event for the next three years.

The company is an independent body under the directorship of individuals including international designer Peter Saville; bassist Peter Hook - who through his bands Joy Division and New Order has helped spotlight the musical talents of Manchester on the world stage; and former managing director of ITV Granada, Sue Woodward OBE.

Reification: Part Two will be held on the weekend of June 20 / 21 and will be masterminded by the creative team behind last year's event - now fellow Reification Directors - Elliot Rashman, music industry luminary; Rose Marley, Director of award winning social enterprise Motiv; and Keith Jobling, Director of media company The Boot Room.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, joins Peter Saville, Peter Hook, and Vicky Rosin, Assistant Chief Executive Manchester City Council, as Non-Executive Directors of the new company.

Sir Richard said: "Last year's event was both a wonderful tribute to a great man and also a real success - proved by the very positive feedback from the people who took part.

"Reification has great potential to help young people develop their creative talents and to bring their talents to the rest of the world. 24 hours in Manchester. A day and a night in the city of firsts to engage with, wonder, and witness first-hand the future of global creativity on our doorstep."

Legal services to the new company are being provided by leading media lawyer Henna Riaz from Hill Dickinson, experts in creative law.

Henna Riaz said: "We're very excited to be involved in Refication. Our particular expertise and existing client base make us a perfect fit for the company's aims and objectives. We're looking forward to contributing to a successful world class event in June this year that will get not just Manchester talking but the rest of the world."

Reification Managing Director, Sue Woodward, commented: "This is not simply a re-run of last year. It is a real chance for young creative entrepreneurs to listen,engage, argue back with, and be inspired by global names in the business.

"Less 'listen and learn', more 'challenge and change', their own futures. It could only ever happen in Manchester."

More information on this year's event will be announced over the coming weeks.

For information about last year's event visit http://www.tonywilsonexperience.com/

From How-Do:

Code charged with creating raft of sites for Visit Manchester
http://www.how-do.co.uk (http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-digital-media/code-charged-with-creating-raft-of-sites-for-visit-manchester-200902264767/)
Thursday, 26 February 2009

Code Computerlove is on the brink of releasing three new websites it has created for Visit Manchester.

The agency, which recently underwent a management restructure, won the business after a four-way pitch and will be rolling out the sites from the end of this month.

Code Computerlove is on the brink of releasing three new websites it has created for Visit Manchester.

They take the shape of portals for Industrial Powerhouse, Manchester’s Countryside and a ‘green’ site that will demonstrate how the city is embracing eco-sensitive issues.

As the name suggests, the Industrial Powerhouse site will showcase the region’s rich history and its role in the industrial revolution, encouraging potential visitors to find out more about the area through themed sections such as power, fashion, transport, the workers and revolutionaries.

Manchester Countryside has been created to help in the development of rural tourism in the city sub region, stoking interest in short breaks and day visits to the North West.

Steve Peters, account director at Code, said of the projects: "All the indications are that taking holidays in the UK, rather than flying off overseas, is likely to become increasingly popular and like other areas throughout Britain, Greater Manchester is looking to benefit from this.

“The region has a huge amount of diverse attractions and a long and fascinating history so it's ideally placed to attract tourists. Our aim will be to encourage visitors to explore each site in more detail - and sign up for the regular email newsletter."

www.visitmanchester.com/green
www.codecomputerlove.com

Some old clips of Manchester:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0QkJNqYpFM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8FLeQpeVT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcwlth9xwVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjayCplGtZM

Great old film clips neil, cheers.

Some old clips of Manchester:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0QkJNqYpFM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8FLeQpeVT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcwlth9xwVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjayCplGtZM

To me, one of the most fascinating things about these Mitchell and Kenyon videos is that every single person in every scene has lived their full life and has now passed away.

When they single out a child I see 70 years of life lived and now ended, with the video depicting a small but real excerpt from their early years. I wonder how the rest would have been.

I hope that doesn't sound morbid but its bloody brilliant.

Corrie halted as ITV jobs axed

Simon Donohue

March 03, 2009

FILMING will halt at Coronation Street tomorrow as ITV tells staff about hundreds of job cuts.

Chairman Michael Grade is expected to announce redundancies at ITV centres across the country and a significant fall in profits.

Coronation Street staff are among those who will down tools and tune into a video conference.

Unions fear that at least 500 jobs will be axed, with the worst cuts expected in the Yorkshire Television region where Emmerdale is produced.

The M.E.N. understands Yorkshire staff will be briefed at 10am and Granada staff at 2pm.

Heartbeat

It is feared Mr Grade will axe a number of Yorkshire productions, including Heartbeat and The Royal which have both been suspended in recent weeks.

Cuts in Manchester are expected to be mainly back-office and non-production roles.

Paul Atkinson, of broadcasting union Bectu, said: "We are very concerned. It will affect Yorkshire and Granada and clearly there's a big question mark over them."

Mr Atkinson said he was sceptical about suggestions that the proposed job cuts are related solely to the recession.

He said: "It's about the state of ITV, which has not been very good for a while."

ITV has shed thousands of jobs as part of an economy drive engineered by Mr Grade but is now facing further problems as a result of the global downturn in advertising.

Revenue

Analysts suggest profits will have fallen from £281m last year to £150m. Advertising revenue is thought to be down 30 per cent in the first three months of this year.

The group's plight raises serious questions about the future of its operations in Manchester.

It has been suggested that Mr Grade might sell off a number of ITV businesses, including the Friends Reunited website which it bought in 2005.

The company could cash in by selling a vast area of land in Manchester city centre, including its Quay Street offices and the Coronation Street set.

One industry commentator said even more jobs could go in the next two years if ITV decides to join the BBC at the MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays, which is scheduled to open in 2011.

Modern

He said: "It is commonly felt that the head office and Coronation Street set is no longer fit for modern television.

"ITV could easily decide to cash-in on the land it owns in Manchester city centre."

North West Vision and Media is the organisation charged with nurturing the media sector in the region.

Chief executive Alice Morrison said: "ITV has been reducing in size and they have gradually centralised towards London. We are very lucky here that the BBC is coming."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1099900_corrie_halted_as_itv_jobs_axed

From How Do.


MEN cutbacks: the media community responds | Print | Email to a friend
Thursday, 12 March 2009

The former MD of MEN Media, Trinity Mirror’s development director, PR chiefs and media heads all spoke to How-Do yesterday to debate exactly what the cuts at the MEN meant to them, to the media community and to the wider regional newspaper industry.


Commentators include Mark Rix, Mark Dickinson, Nina Webb and Cherry Jackson.


Mark Rix, former MD of MEN Media and now CEO of 7 Days in Dubai


What was your reaction to the news from the MEN?


There can’t be many organisations in the developed world that aren’t currently re-evaluating their strategy in order to safeguard their future.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/MarkRix2.jpg

Former MD Rix


Knowing the MEN board as I do, this will have been a very difficult decision and one taken with the sole intention of creating a sustainable business model for the future and protecting as many jobs as possible.


Did it take you by surprise?


Change is a constant necessity in all our lives, so not really.


Do you think the job losses will impact on the group’s position as the ‘voice’ of Manchester? Do you think the reduced teams will still be able to do their jobs?


The MEN Media portfolio has unrivalled reach in Greater Manchester built over a century of quality journalism – it will remain the Voice of Greater Manchester. The board will have a clear and workable strategy for business continuity within their new structure.


How will the closure of the local offices for the weekly titles affect the group – internally, externally, or both?


The focus and commitment to quality local journalism will not be affected at MEN Media by closing offices, the sophisticated technologies available to journalists today negate this argument.


Will this impact on the group’s standing with advertisers at all?

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/MENfull.jpg

There's more to MEN than the MEN

Advertisers want quality, cost effective response – they judge their media selection on that alone. The MEN’s actions will take this fully into account.


How do you see the group evolving in the future?


This is an innovative organisation, see Channel M, see part paid / part free publishing, see www.citylife.co.uk – the MEN Media diversification strategy and its ability to adapt, coupled with GMG’s ownership, means that it may well change shape over time, but will always be an influential and intrinsic part of Greater Manchester life.


Nina Webb, owner, Brazen PR


What was your reaction when you heard the news from MEN Media?


I wasn’t surprised. It’s been on the cards for some time. It is clearly very worrying for all local news journalists that their industry seems to be slowly disintegrating.


Did it take you by surprise?


No. Local and regional media has been under pressure from falling circulation and rapidly disappearing advertising revenues for some time now. I think this has been inevitable for some time.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/ninawebb.jpg

Webb: not surprised

Do you think the job losses will impact on the group’s position as ‘the voice’ of the Manchester area? Do you think the existing, reduced teams will still be able to do their job?


Clearly, if you reduce staff numbers there is an impact. GMG is still the biggest media organisation in the city so, in that regard, I guess it still is the ‘voice’ of Manchester, if only because the company has the infrastructure to shout the loudest.


The existing teams will have no choice but to do their job, but they’ll now have to do the jobs of those who are being made redundant too.


Will this impact on the group’s standing with advertisers at all?


With advertising and marketing budgets already under huge pressure advertisers will be looking at any opportunity to reduce what they have to pay for space in newspapers. I imagine it will be tough time ahead for the ad reps at GMG.


How do you see the group evolving in the future?


They are clearly keen on blowing the trumpet of convergence – offering news services across print, TV, radio and online. As a result their news staff are also now having to become familiar with all those formats.


It won’t be long before the average regional reporter also takes the photographs, films segments for TV coverage and records audio for radio – all from one interview.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/matthatton1.jpg

Hatton: no impact for advertisers

Matt Hatton, director, Brilliant Manchester


What was your reaction when you heard the news from MEN Media?


It comes as no surprise whatsoever. Centralisation of their reporting operations into the Stockport and Manchester offices was to be expected. Cost cutting is indicative of the way the market has been, and is, going I'm afraid.


Do you think the job losses will impact on the group’s position as ‘the voice’ of the Manchester area?


The MEN will always be the voice of Manchester. The MEN is a great paper as are the regionals.


The MEN's decision to go free within the city centre several years ago was commendable and come the spring time the city centre will be awash with avid readers in their lunch breaks.


Will this impact on the group’s standing with advertisers at all?


Not at all. Advertisers understand what their local marketing needs to achieve. There will be complaints as to the 'localness' but given time this will settle and advertisers will continue.


They have their own businesses to run and isn't all centred around one title in one area.


How do you see the group evolving in the future?


As with the vast majority of other media owners they are having to cut their cloth accordingly, but GMG have been reviewing their operations for some time and will continue to do so.


I see the group operating a hub that covers their press, TV and radio interests.


Reporters reporting across all media and possibly even sales teams selling across the portfolio. That’s maybe a few years away but I'm sure it will happen.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/jasonspencer1.jpg

Spencer: ex MEN man

Jason Spencer, MD PHD North


I worked at the MEN on the agency sales team from about 1996 through to 1999, so I know a lot of the people that have, and still do, work there.


I have to say that overall I’m shocked by the extent of the cuts that they feel they’ve had to make and have particular concern - both as a reader and as a media man - about the impact that’s going to have on the editorial product. What compromises are going to have to be made?


The MEN has been at the forefront of so many things in recent years, such as the free-part-paid-for model, and that’s really worked to improve the reader profile; bringing it into younger and more upmarket groups. I hope they can continue to achieve that with these cutbacks.


What the group does has in its favour is the cross channel platforms at GMG’s disposal – it has been at the forefront of integrating its offering in terms of editorial and advertising and this does offer hope.


With Channel M and the opportunity of Freeview broadcasting there are still opportunities in the marketplace for the group.


I hope they can take them…Manchester needs a strong MEN Media and a strong Manchester Evening News.


Brian Beech, joint UK MD, Biss Lancaster

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/brianbeechnew.jpg

Beech: tackling issues head on

Paid for circulation fell at every regional newspaper in the second half of 2008 according to the Press Gazette, so what is happening at the MEN won't be an isolated industry occurrence.


As it did by creating a convergent newsroom and as it did by giving away free copies of the paper in the city centre, the MEN is tackling the issues the regional print media faces head on to secure its long term future, albeit with some short term pain.


The fact that the MEN had the highest circulation of any regional title in 2008 shows that its strategy is working. Remember, too, that not one of its other titles will close, they will be simply relocated.


And with the most successful regional website in the UK - some 500,000 ahead of its nearest rival - the MEN will remain as much a part of Manchester life as it has been consistently over the years.


I think the rumours of its death have been greatly exaggerated.


Mark Dickinson, business development director, Trinity Mirror North West and Wales

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/MarkDickinson.jpg

Dickinson: will the gamble work?

Looking across the media industry, and for that matter the economy, there are few businesses which are unaffected by the downturn.


The MEN while not a plc has to adjust as revenues fall. It would be irresponsible of any management to do nothing and hope for the upturn as the NUJ seem to be advocating.


The key strategic question for MEN was and probably is still: will the free and paid hybrid weather the storms better than others who felt this was a massive gamble?


The tectonic plates are still rumbling as we can see from Johnston’s results today. Only 5 years ago they were held up as the champions of the regional industry - now they have hit bottom first.


But everyone is actually holding their breath to see whether this IS bottom....


Evolving the business model within the media space is vital. We cannot go down the micro route and try to make bottom-feeding work but neither can we keep consolidating as ever bigger beasts getting further and further from our communities and less and less able to serve them.


Somewhere between must lie a way of co-operating within the news gathering community itself. No one can carry the costs of a multi-million pound industry while revenues are drying up due to economic paralysis or being sucked up by Google.


Hindsight is a wonderful thing - but MEN demonstrates that it is not the just the cold-hearted monsters of plcs who are struggling to re-invent the model.


Cherry Jackson, head of press, Mediaedge:cia


What was your reaction when you heard the news from MEN Media yesterday?


Shocked that the cuts were so deep, but not unexpected. And yes, some sadness.


http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/cherryjackson.jpg

Jackson: tough decisionsDid it take you by surprise?


Yes and no, when the traditional pillars of your revenue (property, motors and jobs) have all dropped off a cliff, the reality is that tough commercial decisions have to be made.


Will this impact on the group’s standing with advertisers at all?


From an advertisers perspective, it is all about the end product and at the moment we don’t know the impact of this decision on that.


Editorial content, pagination levels and circulation numbers will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ascertain the value to advertisers - for us it is important that there continues to be choice in the local marketplace with strong titles and strong distribution.


Any other comments?


The MEN have pioneered the way for other publishers with its innovative approach to its business model in the past and we believe other publisher groups will be watching this latest turn of events with great interest.


All newspaper groups have been reducing their cost base as advertising revenues decline and there is evidence to suggest that the free newspaper model in particular just doesn’t stack up.


Unfortunately the MEN won’t be on alone in taking some tough decisions over the coming weeks and months.

A new creative post at MMU:

Director of Creative Manchester
https://www.jobs.mmu.ac.uk/mmujobsite/VacancyDetail.aspx?VacancyUID=000000005694

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) has a history that dates back 150 years. In that time we have combined the traditional and the contemporary to create a university with a distinctive character. It is a character that is shaped by, and helps shape, the city of Manchester itself – a city that has held a strong creative reputation for many years, and is fast-becoming the UK’s centre for media and creativity.

Creative Manchester is a new research and enterprise centre within MMU which brings together people from a range of subject areas with an interest in the creative industries. The staff of the centre focuses on discussing policy issues, mapping activity, undertaking research, developing courses and providing a point of reference for external agencies.

In this new and totally unique directorial role, you will take the lead in placing MMU at the forefront of research and enterprise activity in the creative industries. You will direct developments within the University and in partnership with agencies and companies in the North West. What is more, you will take charge of building our reputation for creativity, at a national and international level.

Full Details Here... (https://www.jobs.mmu.ac.uk/mmujobsite/VacancyDetail.aspx?VacancyUID=000000005694)

From How Do.


Bauer moves Heat Radio to Manchester | Print | Email to a friend
Monday, 23 March 2009
Bauer Media has confirmed to How-Do that rumours regarding the relocation of its DAB station Heat Radio from London to Manchester are true.

Heat Radio has proved to be one of Bauer’s most successful brand extension projects, taking the celebrity title Heat to the airwaves and steadily growing a strong listening audience.

The last RAJARs showed that it attracted 465,000 listeners for the final quarter of 2008, a 20.5% year on year increase.

At the time this actually took it past the magazine’s UK and Ireland ABC circulation figure, which stood at 460,051.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/heatmagazine.jpg

Hot stuff

Now Bauer is planning to move the production of Heat to its Manchester base, but is stressing that this does not mark a retreat from the digital arena and that it remains committed to the station.

In a statement from the firm a spokesperson noted: “Heat Radio is a successful digital station within Bauer Media's strong network of leading radio brands, and we are therefore well positioned to take advantage of broadcasting from studios around England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“We are proposing to transfer production of Heat Radio to Manchester, home to Smash Hits, The Hits, Magic 1152 and the city's number one station - Key 103. Heat Radio, however, will retain a studio in London.

“We are immensely proud of Heat Radio and our commitment to the stations and the quality programming they deliver remains the same as ever.”

When How-Do quizzed the firm over whether staff would be relocating, or whether new staff would be taken on in Manchester, a spokesperson noted that these were “just the initial plans” and that staffing issues were not ready to be confirmed at this stage.

From How Do.

Porter comes clean on ad revenue for Crains | Print | Email to a friend
Monday, 23 March 2009
Arthur Porter, the publisher of Crain’s Manchester Business, has revealed the title’s advertising revenues for the year to date.

In a trade press interview, which Porter has since confirmed to How-Do was accurate, he relays that the paper has garnered revenues of £320,000 so far in 2009, including forward bookings.

This is in comparison to £12,000 for the same period last year, when the paper was still in its infancy.

He also stated that 90% of that revenue comes from the print edition, with the remainder being made up through digital, including the 8,000-strong daily email briefing.

Porter has recently told How-Do that the paper was starting to pick up more national clients like Vodafone and Virgin.

He commented: “This is because the London agencies are beginning to see that we offer something special – namely a highly targeted read for the business community in Manchester.”

Porter has also insisted that parent company Crain Communications has given the paper a five-year window to reach profitability.

From Crains.

Specific Media to open Manchester office
By Richard Morris


Online advertising network Specific Media is to open a Manchester office to cope with increasing demand outside of London.

The company analyses consumer behaviour, demographics and geographic locations to help advertisers reach their target audience. The Manchester office which will serve the north of England, Wales and Scotland, is being led by Martin Tingle formerly the digital sales manager of Trafford-based Media Sales Network.

Tingle said he was looking to appoint two members of staff initially with knowledge of the regional advertising market. A location for the new branch has still to be decided but Tingle told Crain’s he’d been looking at city centre offices around Spring Gardens, Deansgate and Spinningfields.

From the Northwest Vision and Media website:

NWVM to lead the creative and digital industries
http://www.visionandmedia.co.uk/page/nwvm-to-lead-the-creative-and-digital-industries
2 April 2009

Northwest Vision and Media (NWVM) has officially been announced as the single organisation that will lead, support and promote the creative and digital industries in the region.

This means NWVM will be responsible for the TV, film, radio, digital / ICT, games, music, publishing and creative services sectors. This new wider role will involve NWVM delivering services including; the provision of business support and funding, ground breaking skills development and training programmes, encouraging collaboration through industry initiatives and representing and championing industry issues at regional and national level.

The NWDA has approved an additional £3m of funding for NWV&M to carry out this expanded role and delivery of the Digital and Creative Industries cluster development programme up to 2012. It is hoped that the NWDA funding will also help to lever in further funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) later this year.

Continues Here... (http://www.visionandmedia.co.uk/page/nwvm-to-lead-the-creative-and-digital-industries)

From How-Do:

MEN could be a freesheet or a weekly in 10 years
http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-publishing/men-could-be-a-freesheet-or-a-weekly-in-10-years-200904075099/
Tuesday, 07 April 2009

Guardian Media Group’s head of regional media says the Manchester Evening News will exist in a decade, but it’ll be “fundamentally different.”

Mark Dodson, GMG’s head of regional media was talking to the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/03/local-newspapers-journalism-democracy) about the future of local news.

While he believes the internet will serve a purpose, it leaves some parts of the community out, those that can’t afford to get online.

He speculated that the future of the MEN could be “totally free, or part-paid and part-free”

“... it could be two days a week, or three days a week, or weekly. There'll be a product that serves Manchester, serves it properly and is of high quality.”

GMG has already announced that the Reading Evening Post is becoming twice-weekly and Unions and staff are currently fighting plans by the MEN to cut 78 editorial posts.

The Guardian article this is extracted from:

Stop press
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/03/local-newspapers-journalism-democracy
Friday 3 April 2009

Across the country, local newspapers are being cut to the bone or closed down. Is regional journalism doomed? And if it is, what does that mean for local democracy?

Continues Here... (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/03/local-newspapers-journalism-democracy)

From the NUJ/GMG Journalists website: http://www.menchapel.org.uk/

Journalists take out advert in the Guardian
http://www.menchapel.org.uk/
31 March 2009

In the latest move in its campaign against proposed job cuts, the NUJ Chapel at the Manchester Evening News paid for a full-page advert in the Guardian, appealing for support from Guardian readers on behalf of its own journalists and those under threat at the Greater Manchester weeklies. The advert also appeared in the New Statesman.

The advert:

http://www.menchapel.org.uk/advert.html

THE Manchester Evening News is Britain's biggest regional newspaper. It holds the powerful to account and gives the weak a voice. It uncovers and reports the news with no agenda other than to serve the public interest. Our weekly papers do the same in the towns around Greater Manchester. For a region of 2.5m people, these newspapers are a linchpin of democracy.

Throughout our proud history, these papers always made a profit, providing tens of millions of pounds a year to enable our loss-making sister paper - The Guardian - to survive and flourish.

But senior management of the Guardian Media Group have now decided the MEN and our weekly papers, which will still make £2m this year, must make devastating staff cuts to service the ongoing expansion of the Guardian - which is losing many millions but still paying executive bonuses.

At a time when fair, investigative and independent journalism is more important than ever, the MEN has been ordered to cut 39 editorial jobs out of 89. Nineteen journalists will be made compulsorily redundant. Another 35 journalists are to lose their jobs from the Group's 22 weekly papers in Greater Manchester. All the weekly offices will close and the titles will be put together at the MEN's head office.

A further 35 journalist jobs will go at the company's Surrey and Berkshire papers, with some publications closing and the Reading Evening Post cut to twice-weekly publication. Compulsory redundancies are inevitable. Many non-journalist jobs are also being axed.

These swingeing cuts have been approved by the Scott Trust, set up in 1936 to protect the Guardian and MEN as independent voices. The Trust has since narrowed its remit to protect only the Guardian, but it still claims to operate by the values laid down by CP Scott, the renowned editor of the Manchester Guardian, in 1921. They include 'a sense of duty to the reader and the community'.

In rubber-stamping these cuts, the Trust has approved the decimation of a great regional newspaper in the city which was the birthplace of The Guardian.

The cuts will inevitably mean the MEN's role and that of the weekly papers, in scrutinising local councils, NHS trusts, police and reporting on injustice, incompetence and corruption, is diminished.

CP Scott also wrote: "[A newspaper] is much more than a business; it is an institution; it reflects and it influences the life of a whole community; it may affect even wider destinies."

This is as true of the MEN, the Reading Evening Post and our weekly papers as it is of the Guardian.

We urge the Scott Trust to reconsider and show loyalty to the MEN, which is the soul of a great city and has played a crucial part in enabling the Guardian to remain the flagship of liberal journalism.

You can help keep local papers alive and relevant by asking your MP to sign Early Day Motions 916 and 1044 and by writing to the chair of the Scott Trust, Dame Liz Forgan, at liz.forgan@guardian.co.uk

For more information, go to: http://www.menchapel.org.uk

Signed - GMG Regional Media journalists

Looks like the cuts at the MEN have taken there toll on the commercial property section. It wasn't in the last weeks MEN and it isn't in today's MEN either. That paper really is on it's last legs. No point in buying it on Tuesday's now either. Crains will save the day.

Jerb the MEN has been totally shit for years i would never buy it , why do you think its been free in city centre for the last few years ,, it does fuck all for the city its reporting is so small town .

Jerb the MEN has been totally shit for years i would never buy it , why do you think its been free in city centre for the last few years ,, it does fuck all for the city its reporting is so small town .

Agreed H. At least the Commercial property section on a Tuesday and the business section each day kept me buying it.

Crains.

Channel M to cut more than half its staff
By Richard Morris


Manchester television station Channel M has announced plans to cut 41 jobs as it fights to control heavy losses.

Channel M, which is owned by MEN Media Ltd, publisher of the Manchester Evening News, employs 74 people at its base in the Urbis exhibition centre.

Workers were told yesterday that redundancies were unavoidable if the station was to survive.

A consultation period has now begun and Mark Dodson, chief executive of Channel M, said compulsory job losses cannot be ruled out.

In a statement Dodson said: “These further redundancies at MEN Media are deeply regrettable but, in the current climate and in the context of wider changes in our industry, they are unavoidable.”

The company said revenues have been severely affected by the recession with the channel now making “significant losses” estimated to be around £200,000 per month. MEN Media accounts published last year showed that the company has ploughed £11.1m into the venture since it launched in 2000. Channel M lost £4.7m before tax in the year to March 2008.

Along with the redundancies, Channel M is altering the format of the station. From June it will limit live programming to an early evening show which will feature news, sport and information for Greater Manchester. Dodson said should the economic environment improve then the station may return to its previous format. Channel M won an Ofcom licence in February which will enable it to broadcast on Freeview to more than 500,000 households in Greater Manchester from November.

MEN Media would not say whether it would continue to operate from Urbis or whether staff would move to the company's Scott Place headquarters.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/qqqqqqq.jpg

Interesting read. Give yourself half an hour. (pdf below)

How Do.

The digital industry in the North West of England, a special report | Print | Email to a friend
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
In the second of a series of industry specific reports, How-Do joins forces with Business Link Northwest to provide the first ever overview of the digital industry in the whole of the region.

Following on from the PR sector report published earlier in the year, this downloadable pdf aims to help give How-Doers a unique insight into the scale and relative health of this most dynamic of industry sectors.

Expunging the usual 'league table of agencies' approach, the report draws on specially commissioned research - provided courtesy of data giant Experian - to give an overall impression of the regional digital industry as a whole.

This includes:

The number of firms within the North West
The number of digital practitioners in the North West
The size of firms within the North West; by turnover and by headcount
A roll call of regional clients
How the industry compares in relation to the national picture
...and much more

The report also provides a guide as to how Business Link Northwest can help digital businesses; providing advice, planning and ongoing support in a rapidly evolving and keenly competitive sector.

To provide a genuine impression of the work of the organisation the report documents how the BLNW 'brokers' have helped regional firms such as Mando, Fat Media and Every1.

Further sector reports will follow later in the year, with in-depth studies of broadcasting (TV, film and radio), gaming/animation, publishing and advertising.

Collectively these will form a comprehensive overview of an entire regional industry that is increasingly vital to the UK economy and employs some 140,000 people in the North West.


http://www.how-do.co.uk/files/The%20Digital%20Industry%20report%20by%20How-Do.pdf

Kerrang! news relocates to Manchester

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Bauer Media is continuing its recent wave of cost cutting - which has seen positions lost at Key 103 and City Talk - with the announcement that it is closing the newsroom for Kerrang! Radio in Birmingham.

This will result in the loss of four jobs, although two positions could be relocating to Key 103 in Manchester, which is now likely to provide the local news service for Kerrang!.

The Birmingham Post broke news of the development this morning, questioning how the local news service could now be provided from a remote location.

Bauer provided the folowing statement to the paper:

“Our strategy is to locally invest in the best programming and creative talent to inform and entertain our listeners. The resource needed to do that is flexed up and down in order to best serve their audience and advertisers.

“We are now proposing to reshape our Kerrang! teams to support the business going forward.

“To discuss these proposals we are now entering into consultation with a number of people. We believe that these changes are necessary, but will not be making any further comment until consultations are concluded.

“Our commitment to providing local news for the West Midlands community remains unchanged.”

I'm all for new jobs in the region, but this is pathetic. How can they provide local news for Brum, when based in Manchester? Or am viewing this in a manner too simplistic?

I'm all for new jobs in the region, but this is pathetic. How can they provide local news for Brum, when based in Manchester? Or am viewing this in a manner too simplistic?

The same happened with the XFM Radio news team. That has been transfered to Leeds and their sister station.

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/politics/2009/06/post_711.html

Presumably this is good news for the news room at Granada, but I wonder what it means for Channel M?

Given they have just made some redundancies it would be good if they could be sured up with some of this money.

From broadcastnow.co.uk (http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/indies-vie-for-a-place-on-news-consortia-scheme/5002639.article):
Indies vie for a place on news consortia scheme
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/indies-vie-for-a-place-on-news-consortia-scheme/5002639.article
18 June, 2009 | By Kate McMahon

Indies and broadcasters are already jostling to take part in the three independent news consortia pilot schemes, proposed in the Digital Britain report, which will provide regional news on ITV1.

The trials will begin next year in Wales, Scotland and a yet-to-be decided English region and will be overseen by a government body.

Ten Alps chief executive Alex Connock said the indie would definitely join in the race for the 2010 pilot in the English region. “It seems that they have made the substantial funds necessary available to part-fund services from 2012, which could be a watershed moment for new types of local journalism in the UK,” he said.

In Scotland, Tern TV joint founder David Strachan said: “The report has made it clear that the body overseeing the process will not entertain bids that will not measure up to quality expectations. That being said, this is an opportunity that the indie sector would be crazy not to consider.” ITN and STV will also bid for the contracts in the trial regions.

STV director of broadcast services and regulatory affairs Bobby Hain said that the pilot scheme “would safeguard the future of regional news” and added that there was now a “clear roadmap forward” for the broadcaster.

Pact chief executive John McVay said that forming regional news consortia could be a “fantastic opportunity” for indies with a strong factual or current affairsbased output. “We are not talking about a paradigm shift in the fortunes of regional indies here, but it will give an opportunity for them to break into news production - an area from which they have previously been barred by broadcasters.”

Three North West MPs are lobbying for the Greater Manchester region to be selected as the area for the English region trial. The area has had a strong tradition in regional news as the home of the Granada Reports bulletin.

7:29 am, June 15, 2009

Northwest Vision and Media gets £2.7m and moves to Salford Quays
By Richard Morris


Northwest Vision and Media (NWVM) is getting £2.7m in European Union grants, partly to finance its move to be near Media City UK.

The organisation, which is tasked with supporting the creative and digital industries in the region, is getting the money from the European Regional Development Fund.

It follows on from a £3m award from the Northwest Regional Development Agency announced in April.

By this autumn NWVM hopes to have left Oxford Road and be settled in its new home on Broadway at Salford Quays, opposite The Pie Factory.

Alice Morrison, chief executive of NWVM, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this additional funding which will help us make even more of a difference to our sectors delivering programmes to really help grow businesses and encourage innovation and collaboration, particularly in this difficult climate.

“We are also incredibly excited about our move to Media City. Its presence in our region truly sets us apart. It will provide global opportunities that our industries can take advantage of and it is a natural home for Vision and Media.”

Bryan Gray, chairman of Media City developer, Peel Media, said NWVM’s move made “perfect sense”.

NWVM will be neighbours of the BBC, which is moving five departments to the Media City complex, now under construction by Peel Holdings.

dsNJ0w0ypmc

Anyone recognize a certain someone and the locations? :)
Going to be massive a tune this one. Watch it all!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/manchester/hi/

massively updated - they have not done it for all cities for some reason???

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/manchester/hi/

massively updated - they have not done it for all cities for some reason???

I love the way we seem to have swallowed up all of East Cheshire and now share a boundary with Staffs!

Thouht the same myself.

Presumably it is because the BBC have no web site for Cheshire (and no local radio station) so Merseyside takes West Cheshire and Manchester East Cheshire.

Very odd.

I love the way we seem to have swallowed up all of East Cheshire and now share a boundary with Staffs!

What exactly is the map supposed to represent?

TV? Radio? Radio Manchester maybe?

The area that the BBC Manchester news room covers presumably.

Is their a BBC Cheshire radio station? There is a BBC Staffs I think, definately a BBC Lancs and BBC Merseyside.

Probably how the BBC deal with the area, the BBC 'Manchester' reporter probably covers the area shown as Manchester on that map - it is probably how the BBC deal with 'Manchester'.

An 'Abbey Road' for city's digital centre

Jill Burdett

July 14, 2009

BOSSES at The Sharp Project in east Manchester are close to clinching a major signing to the new digital super centre.

A record production firm is looking to take a 10-year lease on space which it would fit out and then either use itself to work with big-name artists, or hire out for others to use.

Ex-Granada chief Sue Woodward is managing the delivery of the project and said: "It will be Manchester's equivalent of the Abbey Road studios."

Construction of the space is already underway, and a 4,000 sq ft special effects film studio is also taking shape within the vast building in Newton Heath, which was once the warehousing and storage facilities for the electronics giant.

Manchester city council bought the site for more than £5m and had earmarked it as a potential home for the BBC but now wants to turn the vast space into a digital technology hub to hothouse new industries.

TV production company Store City has already taken up residence, recreating a Victorian hospital for the BBC drama Casualty 1909, which has attracted loyal viewers on Sunday nights.

It will find out late this month if the series has been re-commissioned - and, if so, work on the recording and special effects studio will have to be completed before filming starts again in September. Two more clients have also taken office space, and a deal to let 30,000 sq ft of space to a major production company could be confirmed by the end of the year.

On a smaller scale, one of the Sharp innovations will be the use of shipping containers to provide start-up space or storage for fledgling firms from £35 a week.

Ms Woodward said: "The whole ethos of the Sharp Project is to create a community of businesses, in one location, which feed off each other, bring new business in and work off each other. Our role is about making it as easy as possible for firms to come here."

The project will have technological back-up for companies which produce digital content, and there are also plans to glaze the old loading bay area to create a `winter garden', with cafeteria, that could be used for events, marketing and launches.

Funding so far has been provided by the city and New East Manchester.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1125825_an_abbey_road_for_citys_digital_centre

Wondering through the city centre this afternoon and it suddenly dawned on me that I'd not had to dodge 100 fellas trying to thrust a free copy of the Manchester Evening News into my hand. I then made a conscious effort to look for those yellow bins containing the papers - there weren't any - or at least non with any papers in.

Have I missed something? Have they their distribution methods?

In fact you can't help but worry. They couldn't sell it, now it looks like they can't even give it away. This coupled with recent redundancies on the paper doesn't bode well.

Like many other people I think the paper quality of the paper has suffered in recent years. Until a few years ago I used to regularly purchase it, but to be frank I just don't think it's worth the cover price any more (though I do pick up a free one when in town). Don't get be wrong I enjoy David Ottwell's blog, I think he's a good journalist who writes interesting and worthy articles. But the good stuff written by Ottwell and others is increasing difficult to find amongst the syndicated filler.

So what of its future. I know it sounds contradictory given I don't think it's worth buying any more, but I'd hate for Manchester to loose it's only daily newspaper. That said the end feels neigh - bring on the Manchester Weekly News.

Stop the presses - 'Cat In Stuck Up Tree Shocker!'

I can't wait for the Manchester Evening News to go belly up. It's been cross subsidising the tossers tea party in North London that is the Guardian for years and preventing other decent operators from starting up. I'm pleased that the likes of Crains have held out and hopefully we'll see some decent journalism appearing if it does go. It's much more likely that the Guardian goes bust as the MEN makes a fortune and all of this profit goes to pay for a load of cobblers journalists in London working at the Guardian. That's why the MEN is crap.

Can't see that advertisers would be too happy with this...
MEN Media withdraws Manchester Evening News from ABCs
http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/channel/RegionalPress/article/927438/MEN-Media-withdraws-Manchester-Evening-News-ABCs/
17 August 2009

LONDON - Guardian Media Group's MEN Media has withdrawn its part-free, part-paid for daily, the Manchester Evening News, from ABC auditing and will instead publish its own circulation figures.

In April, MEN Media announced it was to cut the number of free copies given out on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and under the existing ABC rules this more bespoke distribution pattern would not be represented.

ABC rules state that the number of free copies distributed must follow "a consistent and regular pattern" for every issue of the title and if a regular distribution pattern is not followed, then some copies will not qualify for ABC certification

A statement released by MEN Media today (17 August) said the daily average circulation for the MEN was 88,555 on Monday to Wednesday, 165,238 on Thursday to Friday and 67,349 on Saturday.

Ruth Spratt, managing director of MEN Media, said the publisher continues to enjoy a good relationship with ABC and has no intention of removing any of its other titles from ABC audits.

Spratt said she hopes that, in future, the ABC rules will allow the Manchester Evening News back into ABC auditing.

Can't see that advertisers would be too happy with this...

I'd be interested to see what proportion of those figures are paid-for copies and what proportion are free ones. The fact that the figure is as high as it is on Saturdays, when they don't hand the paper out for free, is interesting.

Has anyone else noticed that the Manchester Evening News is
1) a load of made up celebrity crap e.g. "Becks wears new pants shock.." etc
and 2) The most violent court listings of the day: "Jug eared scrote from Wythenshawe bites nose of local puppy in park mayhem" etc.

And next to bugger all else (bar Ray King, the business section and Friday's listings guide)....

If people adopted that approach in London and New York the local papers would start with fifty pages of violent crime before they got to the celebrity tittle tattle.

Funny you should say that, MEN is surviving, just, whereas all the London papers are closing.

It's becoming a shit paper, but I suppose that's a sign of the times.

Has anyone else noticed that the Manchester Evening News is
1) a load of made up celebrity crap e.g. "Becks wears new pants shock.." etc
and 2) The most violent court listings of the day: "Jug eared scrote from Wythenshawe bites nose of local puppy in park mayhem" etc.

And next to bugger all else (bar Ray King, the business section and Friday's listings guide)....

If people adopted that approach in London and New York the local papers would start with fifty pages of violent crime before they got to the celebrity tittle tattle.

I think that's a little unfair. Compared to the two free London papers (The London Paper, which is set to close within weeks, and London Lite) the MEN is both a lot thicker, and a lot more substantial in terms of local and national news content. And the sports section is far better as well. When I was last in London (a couple of weeks ago), my copy of London Lite was about 4 pages of Russell Brand, three pages of news about Arsenal, a sudoku, and not much else. Okay, maybe the Evening Standard is a (slightly) higher class of paper, but that's not free.

To be honest, I don't think the tone of the MEN is any worse than that of the most popular tabloids. The Sun or the Mirror or the Express are just as full of celebrity nonsense, violent crime, and inflammatory editorials. Obviously the MEN is only free if you pick up a copy in town, but I think in terms of offering up a mix of local news, national news, business and sport, it's the best you're going to get at that price point. If there was money in handing out free copies of the Telegraph or the Guardian in city centres, you can bet that that's what we'd see littering the streets instead.

I used to love the Metro when it was a Manchester localised version, when it became identical to every other version full of crap I stopped reading it. I hope the MEN doesnt repeat that route.

Is there a paper in Manchester??

By the way some may be pleased that Unity Radio are running test transmissions at the mo

New Ian Brown single :)

Wsct546pCBE

Might as well post it in here as well ;)

Ian Brown always seems to be 'off the wall' with his work. Plus his videos are unique and conducive to his songs. He probably has the best videos since the famous Mancunian duo of Godley and Creme.
He's way 'after my time' but I dig his stuff immensely.
My 28 year old son 'introduced' his music to me, and he's a Canadian!

New series of Shameless currently being filmed in Sale.

Last series had about 30 seconds down School Rd, tok whole day to film.

A new series of Blue Murder starring Caroline Quentin starts on ITV1 tonight at 9pm. It's filmed in Manchester and you usually get to see some good shots of the city.

I remember months back they were filming at Spinningfields - The whole of Halliwell's reception had been made to look like a rather glamorous GMP Headquarters!

As I predicted, there were some great shots of the city. The main office featured appeared to be filmed from within Elizabeth House, which is interesting......

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1135698_mayo_set_to_quit_over_mediacity_move?rss=yes

Not a surprise.

If anyones interested.

Manchester twitterers gear up for MancTwester
Digital / England & Wales
Manchester's twitterers are gearing up for the city's second MancTwester Twitter festival which will be held later this week.

Organisers promise it will bring together the city's twitterers for an evening of socialising and entertainment from local comedian Tim Bradbury.

It will also feature a charity auction with prizes ranging from a signed 1966 England World Cup jersey to a Nintendo Wii and goodies from Durex.

Proceeds from the event will go to north west charity St. Ann's Hospice.

The event is part of the global Twestival, with cities all over the world taking part to raise money for their own local causes this week.

MancTwester will be held in the House9Bar on Deansgate this Thursday (10 September), starting at 6.30pm.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1135698_mayo_set_to_quit_over_mediacity_move?rss=yes

Not a surprise.

Theres one more job up for grabs next year then...

:banana:

How Do.

UK's only paid-for gay wedding magazine Tickled Pink set to launch |

Friday, 11 September 2009

Sue Briggs, the former editor of the Knutsford Guardian, is set to launch a 200-page paid-for gay wedding magazine in Manchester on 1 October.

Briggs took redundancy from Newsquest in December in the midsts of the firm's moves to cut costs. She had been with the publisher for 15 years.

Her latest venture, Tickled Pink, is aimed at same sex couples looking to get hitched (Briggs herself tied the knot with her partner three years ago) and launches in Canal Street's Via, before going on sale in Borders book stores across the region.

The first issue contains interviews with jazz singer Clare Teal and eighties diva Hazell Dean, as well as featuring advice from same sex couples who have 'been there and done that' when it comes to the big day.

Briggs told Canal Street website that the launch would be "a very exciting day for us, but more importantly, we feel, for gay couples who have been completely ignored by the mainstream wedding magazine publishers."

Tickled Pink will retail at £4.50.

Great news, great mates. :)

How Do has bought Place North West and it is now subscription free. :banana:

Hopefully How Do will keep up the sterling work of previous owner Paul Unger.
My subscription ran out ages ago, so there should be quite a bit to go through. Link to Place North West under article from How Do.

How-Do acquires Place North West
Wednesday, 16 September 2009

How-Do has acquired the specialist commercial property and regeneration website Place North West. Place has been a subscription-only website since its launch in August 2007: from today, the site will be entirely free to access.

Place was launched by business and property journalist Paul Unger with the backing of a group of private investors.

Unger is recognised as one of the leading property journalists based outside London and in addition to numerous regional awards; he has also picked up a national award for his contributions to Property Week.

Place has established itself in just two years as the North West’s leading source of information and news for the region’s commercial property and regeneration market. How-Do believes that Place’s market-leading regional B2B niche complements How-Do’s own publishing objectives.

Unger will remain as editor and retains a significant minority shareholding in the business. He is supported by reporter Michael Hunt and Paul’s father, editorial director Mike Unger, formerly editor of the Liverpool Daily Post, Liverpool Echo and Manchester Evening News.

Since its launch, Place has broken dozens of exclusive news stories and both Unger and How-Do are keen to ensure that this focus on breaking news continues.

UngerHow-Do and Place’s shareholders believe that How-Do’s greater resources, particularly its in-house sales and administrative functions, can enhance Place’s established market position while the lifting of the subscription barrier will increase Place’s traffic significantly.

Place has averaged between 1,500 to 2,000 individual subscribers over the past 12 months.

Unger said of the new ownership: “Nick (Jaspan – How-Do’s publisher) and I have often spoken since launching our respective sites more than two years ago. When the time came to seek a fresh round of investment, I was really pleased to receive several offers including How-Do’s.

“The opportunity to build on the foundations we now have and develop a bigger and better site for our readers under How-Do’s management was irresistible.”

Jaspan added: “We know Paul and his team well and have seen them build a market-leading product which has arguably not received the broader acclaim it deserves. We are optimistic and confident that by converting the site into a free to access news and information service and simultaneously encouraging greater reader participation, we will increase traffic levels and a greater degree of visibility and engagement with the substantial market that the North West’s commercial property and regeneration sector is.”

Legal adviser to the transaction was the Liverpool office of Brabners Chaffe Street. Place was also advised by accountancy firm Sloan & Co. Place was built and continues to be maintained by Rippleffect.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/

If anyone is interested.

Place goes free

So, Place has gone free? On point of principle rather than pure business sense grounds in the end. When Rupert Murdoch announced an end to free websites for his newspapers, I just had to do the opposite.

Wanted: property professionals to blog on Place. Rule #1: Have something to say. Rule #2: Have a good way of saying it. Rule #3: Be prepared to carry on after the first week. Contact me at paul.unger@placenorthwest.co.uk to discuss.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/place-goes-free.html

^^Good news, if they can keep the quality up. Their sub model obviously wasn't working.

This might be of interest to someone on here...
Northern Lights
http://northernlights-training.co.uk/

New multi-platform talent for the North West

Northern Lights is an innovative multi-platform media production course being run this November on behalf of Northwest Vision and Media. Sixteen graduates and new entrants to the sector will gain specialist training in one of four media disciplines, TV, Radio, Gaming and Digital Interactive on a paid placement with one of the region’s top media companies. They will then be able to apply these skills to one of four live industry multi-platform briefs. The best students on the programme will be offered the opportunity to continue their involvement through a placement in one of the four partner companies.

Applications for the November programme - following on swiftly from the feedback from participants in May - are now being accepted. The programme starts on the 2nd November with the closing date for applications being Friday 25th September. Interviews will be taking place in early October. To download an application form click here (http://northernlights-training.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/northern-lights-2-application-form-final.doc).

Who can apply?

You can apply if you have between 3 months and 2 years industry experience. We are especially looking for people who have demonstrated an interest in any of the 4 sectors of tv, radio, gaming and interactive.

Sorry, you cannot apply if you are in full-time education.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/sep/15/simon-mayo-bids-farewell

So, as expected Simon Mayo is moving to Radio2 and not making the move north, however, his Friday show will remain.

Will this show come from London (I would imagine it will) or will he be asked to commute up to Manchester to do the show?

Mark Kermode lives in Southampton.

^^ London - was mentioned elsewhere.

From todays Times.

(Taken from the Brummie subforum)

Tomorrow, two of the finest football teams in the country, if not the world, will clash at Old Trafford. Whoever wins, it is already a victory for Manchester.

The recent emergence of Manchester City from beneath the shadow of the more famous Manchester United should not just be celebrated by those with a love of feet and balls. Few cities in the world can boast two teams of this calibre, and most of them are capitals.

Delegates of the Conservative Party will be converging on Manchester for their party conference in a fortnight. Lucky them. Since the Labour Party chose the city in 2006, Manchester has been a breath of fresh urban air for political parties accustomed to the grim degradations of faded seaside towns. With hotels and restaurants to rival the capital, even smug London politicos will find precious little at which to sneer.

When did it all start to go right for Manchester? Perhaps the Madchester music scene on the 1980s put down foundations which survived, even if the Haçienda did not. Perhaps we could credit the enormous regeneration of the city centre after the 1996 IRA bomb, or the 2002 Commonwealth Games. True, Manchester has areas of violence and poverty, but which major city does not?

By 2011, five major BBC departments will be in Salford. Two of the nation’s favourite TV shows — Coronation Street and Shameless — have sprung from its streets. Outside London, no city in the UK has as busy an airport or more radio stations. Increasingly, Birmingham remains the UK’s second city in population alone. In all other respects, next to our kid, it’s bobbins.

They must be spitting feathers down there. Don't want to antogonise because i've been to Brum a few times and it's a great place but surely they are soon going to have admit defeat on the whole secong city thing

To be honest, the subjective opinion of the public about where is the 'second city' is somewhat immaterial to myself.

What I see as crucially important, and think I may see seeing some evidence of, is Manchester is seen as the first choice destination for investment outside of the capital from both the private and public sector.

It is obviously good that leader writters in a media outlet as resepected as the Times sees things as he did, hopefully those that make investment decisions have similar views.

Oh dear Kurt, banned again and rightfully so for spewing such nonsense as the above - certainly shows how much credibility others place in your misguided opinions/lies - take the hint and disappear like a good little boy! :lol::lol::lol:

Im getting really annoyed with the impunity of these Liverpool trolls.

Im getting really annoyed with the impunity of these Liverpool trolls.

To be fair to Rob he's a Brum troll.

I'm annoyed that Kurt has been banned. Bring him back!

He really is a valued forumer and has been for many years! His metrolink updates are fantastic and much appreciated! I cant fathom as to a reason why, but I do get the feeling it's something to do with the current mod! In my opinion as long as he's not being anti social or causing mayhem on multiple threads there lies no reason to remotely cease his activities on the forum!

Comdot could you help try and settle this? Maybe call a truce, it just seems to be going round in circles, where you (you as in the moderators) ban him just because he has broken the rules but then it further encrourages the rules to be broken.

I think you are great poster Kurt (if sometimes a little over the top) but if you are being a pain on other forum threads or giving justification please tone it down and come to a truce with gothic or whoever keeps banning you, as you are a valued poster! I would not want you giving up and stop posting because of some silly argument with the mods.

And rob piss off. Its your credibility which is severely lacking and your opinions that none (at least on the manc forum) have any interest in hearing.

I concur with all of the above.

Second city.

Second to what eh?

Personally if Brum's aspirations are just to be the second city to London I would gladly allow them that.

Rather this city aimed for something a tad more international than be a lower rung version of the city of greed and modern imperialism.

Second city.

Second to what eh?

Personally if Brum's aspirations are just to be the second city to London I would gladly allow them that.

Rather this city aimed for something a tad more international than be a lower rung version of the city of greed and modern imperialism.

Now that in itself would get a chuckle on another forum HP. I sense a quote overload about to take place down the road. :lol:

I may be banned, but I ain't going away.

Most of my over the top postings are after a few too many cans, for which I apologise.

I will cease posting after having had a drink or four.

Not the only person to do it mind.

Are we going to have a socialist party of Heaton Park come the revolution?

Most of my over the top postings are after a few too many cans, for which I apologise. I will cease posting after having had a drink or four.

There we go we have an apology, now can we have the ball back and we'll all play sensibly? I think Metro has certainly contirbuted more to these forums than he's taken away. The moderators have made the point and should be congratulated for their hard work and effort, but this one has surely now run it's course and makes neither party look good.

Thanks:cheers:

The controversial debate about the BBC move to MediaCityUK is debated by Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, Bryan Gray, Chairman of Peel Media Ltd (developers of the scheme); Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport; Barbara Spicer, Chief Executive of Salford City Council; Felicity Goodey, Chairman of Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company and John Holland, Director of MediaCityUK for the University of Salford.

Watch the video http://www.gleeds.tv/index.cfm?video=523

What the FUCK has Rob_Right ever contributed to this forum except from the same troll bullshit he has posted in this thread? Why are decent contributors getting banned because an admin doesn't like them yet snivelling little fucktards like rob are allowed free reign? This place is a joke sometimes.

http://feeds.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/~r/menews/news/~3/_a8ryD6pV3A/1137868_men_editor_steps_down

Here here Caliman....I'm personally adverse to censorship full stop,and cant understand why it seems that there's one rule for Rob_right & a completely different rule for metrolink,Ive been reading this forum since 2005 (ish) & although I am fully aware I don't contribute to it,I read it every day & enjoy most of metrolinks post (even the bizarre rants).Heres hoping good sense will prevail!!!!!

As a long-time lurker I can say that Metrolink was one of the forumers that provided the most info and pictures that keeps this forum going.

It would be a great shame to lose him. I can't see what he's done wrong that deserves a banning.

I think the main thing is that he has set up multiple accounts, which is against the rules.

Met, can you agree to not set up any more accounts if they stop banning your current one?

Any chance the mods could forgive and forget if he agreed to this?

snivelling little fucktards

Now if that slogan doesn't deserve to be on a t-shirt then I don't know what does...

I think the main thing is that he has set up multiple accounts, which is against the rules.

Met, can you agree to not set up any more accounts if they stop banning your current one?

Any chance the mods could forgive and forget if he agreed to this?

Indeed.

The intention, as B4mmy would confirm from his mod days, was that I would try to leave the forum, trash an account and spend a few weeks away from the forum.

I have done this repeatedly.

Unlike many others on here, I have never had two simultaneous accounts, I have only ever previously created a new account when I have no idea what the password was to the previous password was, and the email account tied to the username has been turned to something totally random.

9:55 am, October 9, 2009
Moorfield to launch Manchester conference
By Richard Morris


Moorfield Media has begun organising a new conference aimed at the media, marketing and creative industries.

Hubbub will comprise a conference, exhibition and networking event and is due to be held at Manchester Central next June. Manchester-based Moorfield said the two-day event will try to pull in 3,500 industry leaders from across the North West, Newcastle and Leeds.

Main themes for the conference include public relations and social media, broadcasting and publishing with the central theme of digital convergence and marketing services. A series of networking sessions will be held and around 100 firms are expected to exhibit.

From Broadcast Now:
Cosgrove Hall on the brink
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/cosgrove-hall-on-the-brink/5006622.article
9 October, 2009

Cosgrove Hall Films, the children’s animation studio behind Danger Mouse and Count Duckula, is facing an uncertain future after owner ITV confirmed the company has been placed under a review.

A spokeswoman for ITV said the business has not been closed, but that it and its three remaining staff members - creative director Franc Vose, financial and commercial director Lee Marriot and production manager Steve Levinshon – were being reviewed by management.

However reports suggest that Vose, Marriot and Levinshon may have already left the company and Cosgrove Hall Films’ unofficial Wikipedia entry notes that the company has ceased trading.

The ITV review places the future of forthcoming children’s show Ruby to the Rescue in doubt. The programme had been scheduled to be delivered to CBeebies in March 2010.

Since being fully acquired by ITV, Cosgrove Hall Films has gradually diminished in size. The business made a series of redundancies last year and in December said it was moving from Chorlton to ITV’s Quay Street premises in Manchester.

In June last year it was dealt a blow when Fifi and the Flowertots producer Chapman Entertainment decided to take its animation in-house, rather than sticking with the ITV company.

I wonder when they are going to decide on a 3sixtymedia sell off, ITV clearly don't see their future in production.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/2009/10/bbc-5-live-schedule-changes.shtml soon to be our radio station.

Looks like they are moving those out not willing to move and putting in people (like Tony Livesy) who are already based here or will move.

In fact, re-reading that it does say that the line up on that blog will be the one that is used in Salford, suggesting that Victoria Derbyshire is moving back - despite claiming that she was not previously.

Peter Allen (drive) and Nicky Cambell (breakfast) also making the move means very few changes in reality.

Simon Mayo has been interviewing the head of BBC North today (at the moment) about the Media:City move.

Mayo is clearly not happy about the move.

BBC guy doing very well.

It'll be online very soon to listen to again.

Peter Salmon was the bloke being interviewed.

From about 3pm until 3:25pm.

Suggest anyone interested in why Media:City is happening, why Manchester was chosen, why Sport is moving before the Olympics and what a bitter presenter who does not want the move to happen sounds like, then get onto www.bbc.co.uk/5live and listen to Mayo.

It will appear online at some point tonight / tomorrow I think.

nice one Metro, Mayo's question about the 2012 Olympics at the end there was just bizarre, he's either very stupid or he just can't see the irony in that question. I'll opt for stupid.

Most amusing.

5Live Breakfast today talking about where they would like to retire to.

Nicky Cambell - totally seriously - "Salford".

Now if that slogan doesn't deserve to be on a t-shirt then I don't know what does...

LMAO :lol:

Independent on Sunday reporter swapped place with a Baltimore Sun reporter for a couple of days.

Baltimore bloke went around Moss Side for a night or two, Indy reporter went to Baltimore - following on from Chris Grayling's comments about The Wire / Moss Side.

The 5Live discussion gave the impression Moss Side and Baltimore not in the slightest comparable.

The Baltimore bloke was actually quite impressed by the state of Moss Side and could not believe the comparision.

The Indy bloke saying that Baltimore is a million times worse than Moss Side.

Manchester launches Christmas advertising blitz

Deborah Linton

November 11, 2009

MANCHESTER today launches its biggest ever advertising campaign in a bid to draw Christmas shoppers into the city centre.

The £600,000 drive includes a TV ad created by Oscar and BAFTA nominated animator and director Barry Purves, who has worked on classics including Rupert The Bear, Wind In The Willows and Postman Pat.

The fast-moving, 30-second 'See What Manchester's Made Of' animation hits screens across the north west tomorrow and features more than 200 objects from Manchester stores, from a hot water bottle to a designer handbag, a toy train, a cocktail and a moving Christmas tree made from 1,000 jelly beans.

The colourful items, which dance about the screen to music thanks to specialist 'multiplane' animation techniques, were hand-picked to promote the city's culture, food, shopping and transport.

The TV ad - which cost £100,000, took more than 50 man-hours to make and includes 750 separate images - was put together by a team of Greater Manchester advertisers and animators and will be accompanied by posters, press and radio ads. And 750,000 new shopping maps of the city will be distributed in major magazines.

It was commissioned by city centre management company Cityco - which is responsible for 2,000 stores - Manchester council, Marketing Manchester and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, and filmed in Altrincham's Hot Animation studios, formerly home to Bob The Builder.

The commercial is Purves' first in Manchester since creating a campaign for the M.E.N 20 years ago. He has since directed and animated 70 commercials and six films.

The director, who came to live in Manchester as a student and based himself in Cheshire, told the M.E.N: "I really enjoyed doing this although it wasn't too easy sourcing Christmas objects in August. I was just very pleased to be involved in Manchester and doing something good for Manchester.

"I've always loved it here - it's home - but I keep having to go away to work. That's wrong. I want to work here and contribute to the city.

"I'm a culture vulture, so I love Manchester because I could see something different every night if I could afford it and that really excites me. There are subtle references to every aspect of the city in the advert from football to the trams to art, through a jigsaw from one of the gallery shops."

Cityco chief executive, Kate Harrison, said: "This recession-busting campaign is exactly what's needed to keep us ahead of the game in these challenging times."

She added: "The music is infectious and the amount of detail is remarkable so you never seem to tire of watching it. I spot something new every time I see it."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1181648_manchester_launches_christmas_advertising_blitz

Video of the new Christmas in Manchester ad online on Crains.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/article/20091111/FREE/911119996/1004

Why is Stephen Fry on his way to Manc?

stephenfry I'm that made up to be going to Madchester. Reet pleased (note stunningly accurate Mancunian accent) - hope Virgin trains have wifi.

Blue Peter to visit The Trafford Centre

20 November 2009

Flagship Children’s BBC programme, Blue Peter will be filming at the John Lewis store at The Trafford Centre on Wednesday 25th November.

Presenters Joel Defries and Andy Akinwolere will have just 10 hours to design and make their own Christmas windows from scratch for John Lewis with the help of a Blue Peter art director and two interior design students from the Manchester Metropolitan University.

Time limit

Using their imagination and skills, Andy and Joel will go head to head to see who can make the best window for the store within the tight time limit. Young visitors to the store will be encouraged to choose their favourite window to help decide which one is best.

The best window will be chosen at approx 6pm on Wednesday 25th November.

The film will be broadcast on Blue Peter, Wednesday 9th December at 4.35pm, BBC ONE.

http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/news/view/?ID=6693

Why is Stephen Fry on his way to Manc?

I am not a major star, but I am relatively known to be honest. As far as I am, fingers crossed, I am hosting a show called "how boring is Stephen Fry on twitter?"


By the way, that was a joke.

Interview with the controller of 5 live, including a bit on the Salford move:
http://www.radioacademy.org/events/london-events/london-events-2009/adrian-van-klaveren-in-conversation/

4:29 pm, November 24, 2009
Pie Factory serves up new thriller
By Richard Morris


A new five-part television series filmed at The Pie Factory in Salford Quays is due to be screened on BBC One tonight.

Paradox, a thriller starring former Hotel Babylon and EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, was shot in 13 weeks on one of three sound stages at the former warehouse in Media City.

The Pie Factory has been open for almost three years and is owned and managed by Peel Media. Its facilities, which include the sound stages, a costume department and make-up rooms have attracted a number of creative firms, including Toasted Productions which moved in earlier this month.

Des Hughes, Paradox's line producer, said: “The Pie Factory offered us an ideal all-in-one facility. The Manchester sound stage housed our principal set and within only a short walking distance we had our production offices, edit suites and access to green rooms, star dressing rooms and fully equipped make-up suites.”

A new five-part television series filmed at The Pie Factory in Salford Quays is due to be screened on BBC One tonight.


Watched the first episodes of that. Some good shots of Manchester, including IWM as the exterior of some space research centre.

Programme itself was utter shite.

I was trying to work out what building the police HQ was filmed in, out the window you could see it was almost level with the Arndale lettering in the distance but at an angle in the Victoria area.

I thought it was somewhere round the edge buildings

Watched the first episodes of that. Some good shots of Manchester, including IWM as the exterior of some space research centre.

Programme itself was utter shite.

That good eh? :lol:

8:46 am, December 4, 2009

London TV firm gets £30,000 grant to open up in Altrincham


Northwest Vision and Media has given London-based production company Glasshead Ltd a £30,000 grant to help set up offices in Altrincham.

The BAFTA-winning company produces television and multi-platform content including documentaries, factual entertainment, drama and education.

NVM said the new offices will give Glasshead a base to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the BBC's move to MediaCityUK, which it hopes will enable it to increase its interactive and animation output.

The funding is part of a £537,695 package of investment through the Regional Attractive Fund (RAF), which is aimed at in the region's small and medium sized companies in TV, film, digital, gaming and interactive.

More than £300,000 went to digital and gaming business, with funding packages ranging from £10,000 to £50,000 to help develop new products, skills and business models.

The full list of companies which received funding is:

Greater Manchester

Bury-based Multimedia company T3D has been provided with £50,000, enabling it to invest in a 3D virtual learning prototype to deliver exciting learning environments for schools.

£40,000 has been provided to Jellylegs Productions Ltd, the production company owned by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey, co-writers of ‘The Royle Family' and ‘Sunshine'. The funds will be used to appoint a Head of Development to discover new talent and develop new ideas for Jellylegs.

Studio Liddell, which specialises in 3D animation, interactive content, design and illustration has received £40,000. The business is looking to make the transition into games development and the funds will be used to help create a Wii game prototype for one of the two IP's they are developing for the platform.

£30,000 has been provided to digital design and virtual world agency Corporation Pop. The money will be used to employ a Head of Digital to manage the new high value clients landed through the company's last RAF investment earlier this year.

BOX, a production company specialising in animation, motion graphics and postproduction, will use its £30,000 of funding to invest in online business development.

Television company Platform Productions, which produces documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4, will use £25,000 of funding to support the creation of a development unit.

£25,000 has gone to TV production company Nine Lives Media. The company secured funds through RAF earlier this year to support a development unit for six months - this additional funding will continue to support the unit through a second 6 month period.

Prestwich-based games company Dou Yi Dou has received £24,795, which will be used to invest into developing a digital prototype of a Chinese scrabble game.

£20,000 has been invested in Influential Media. Originally established to produce music videos, the business has recently expanded into television production. The funding will enable the company to produce ‘DNA Detectives', a broadcast pilot for a series that tells the stories of crimes solved using modern technology.

Scarlet Television, which produces factual and factual entertainment programmes for major broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel Five, has received £15,000, which will be used to develop a format for the international market.

£14,000 has been granted to production and distribution outfit Urban Canyons to produce a full HD pilot for the second series of ‘URBANATION', a TV series focussed on urban youth culture.

Production company The Gate Films has received £10,000 to create a development team for Gatelab, an interactive website for creative agencies to develop ideas for film and TV.

The Mob Film Company, which produces commercials, documentaries and films and was behind the recent adaptations of Terry Pratchett's ‘The Hogfather' and ‘The Colour of Magic' has received £10,000. This will be used to support the appointment of a new edit assistant within the company's expanding commercials department.

Merseyside

Video games company Citrus Suite is set to benefit from £50,000 of funding, which it will use to invest into a new Nintendo Wiiware download game.

Liverpool-based Catalyst Outsourcing, a games production service company, has received £40,000. The money will be used to hire a new producer and invest in asset management software.

Digital art production studio Milky Tea, which recently helped to deliver artwork for a high profile computer game for the BBC, has received £24,900 to invest into a new flash game demo.'

Liverpool-based games company Dou Yi Dou has received £24,795, which will be used to invest into developing a digital prototype of a Chinese crossword game.

Cheshire

Warrington-based production company Carbon Digital Ltd is set to benefit from £34,000 of funding, which will enable the firm to recruit a freelance artist and invest in a mentor to develop a marketing strategy.

London-based production company Glasshead Ltd has received £30,000 to set up offices in Altrincham. The BAFTA winning company is well known for producing both television and multi-platform content including documentaries, factual entertainment, drama and education. The new offices will give Glasshead a base from which to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the BBC move North to increase its interactive and animation output.

Cumbria

Kendal-based K2 Media, which specialises in mobile entertainment applications, has received £25,000 which will be used to develop two of its mobile brands into websites.

Paul Taylor, director of business delivery for Northwest Vision and Media, said: “Investment in development is essential for all businesses if they want to grow, but difficult for many to finance, particularly at this scale. It is often considered too risky for bank debt but too small for equity. The aim of this funding is to stimulate growth in the sector so that our creative and digital businesses can take full advantage of the significant opportunities regionally with MediaCityUK, nationally and globally.

“Since the RAF was established, we've assisted 211 companies and helped to create 225 jobs through the fund, which is a fantastic record. This year alone, we've been able to provide over £900,000 of funding, matched by private investment and backed up with high quality advice and mentoring.”

Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing and communications for the NWDA, said: “By supporting business and product development, the RAF enables growth and provides a boost to the regional economy. It supports job creation for creative professionals in the North West and reinforces the region's reputation as one of the most attractive locations in the UK for aspiring new talent."

Record-breaking eighth series for Shameless

Ian Wylie

December 03, 2009

IT’S drinks all round in The Jockey for Shameless layabout Frank Gallagher and the rest of the Chatsworth estate regulars.

Channel 4 has ordered a record-breaking eighth series of 22 episodes to be filmed at the drama’s Wythenshawe HQ.

It means the future of the award-winning show is secure to 2011 with an increase of eight episodes from the current 16.

Hale-based creator Paul Abbott said: “The most fantastic thing about this decision is that it is the first time that Channel 4 has extended a British drama series for a 22 episode season.”

He added: “After eight years of working on this show, you’d think I’d be sick of the sight of it by now, but I am thrilled.

“It has fired me up even more and already has inspired a thousand new ideas to try experimenting with. I genuinely love the idea of us taking Shameless further.

“Shameless is the show I’m most proud of being associated with. There has never been, and still isn’t, anything remotely like it.”

The seventh series begins on C4 next month with new faces, including former Father Ted star Pauline McLynn, joining the regular cast.

Filming of the extended eighth series begins later next year on the purpose built Shameless complex. It was opened in 2007, allowing the number of episodes to be doubled from eight to 16.

Company Pictures, which makes the drama, signed a £1.2m five year deal to lease the former Umbro building, known as the Aviator Building, on the Roundthorn industrial estate.

The site includes replica streets, houses, shops and The Jockey as part of an exterior set linked to various interior sets.

Previously filmed on location in West Gorton, with the studio sets inside a Salford warehouse, the move has seen the production flourish.

Channel 4 Head of Drama Camilla Campbell said: “Shameless is truly a one-off. It’s very dificult to find a hit series but Shameless has consistently grown audience from year to year and remains as popular as ever with fans.

“We are immensely proud of it at Channel 4 and so I am delighted to further back Paul Abbott and the creative team behind the show.”

At one stage there were fears that TV cuts might lead to a reduction in the number of episodes but that crisis was averted.

Filming is also about to start on a US remake of Shameless, starring veteran Hollywood star William H Macy as Frank Gallagher - the role played by David Threlfall in the original.

Last month David won Best Actor at the Royal Television Society North West Awards for portrayal of Frank.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1184997_recordbreaking_eighth_series_for_shameless

A bit of Corrie now on street view, with the tower from Half-life 2 making a guest appearance.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Coronation+St,+Salford,+Lancashire+M5,+United+Kingdom&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=16.81651,46.538086&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FV79LwMdLlHd_w&split=0&hq=&hnear=Coronation+St,+Salford,+Lancashire+M5,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.477783,-2.255427&spn=0.001031,0.003862&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.477792,-2.255495&panoid=cYATjDWiMw6a239h1BF_Rg&cbp=12,117.85,,0,-0.5

How Do.

Manchester could be at the forefront of the next digital age | Print | Email to a friend

Tuesday, 08 December 2009

Experts believe Manchester has the opportunity to take the lead in the next digital revolution.

Sharp ProjectThere is a slight health warning on that first sentence as the experts in question are all from Manchester companies and they were speaking at an event organised by MIDAS (Manchester’s inward investment agency).

50 businesses were represented at the conference, including Cisco, Level 3 Communications, NWIX and Hibernia Atlantic.

They discussed how the industry can create opportunities from the early adoption of new technologies and by using the city’s ultra high-speed internet capability - 3 “big pipes” link the UK to North American, 2 are based in the South East and the third is at Manchester Science Park.




WoodwardSue Woodward, director of the Sharp Project - which is being developed as a new home for digital and media businesses - chaired the meeting:

“Manchester has always been a pioneering city in media and technology. With other UK regional centre’s playing catch up, the city decided to develop a new strategy to ensure we retain our pole position. We have seized the opportunity of working with the world’s experts to exploit these opportunities which will ensure we don’t just stay ahead, we leapfrog.

“Manchester is uniquely placed to do this - our attitude, heritage and talent base, combined with leaders such as the BBC, Cisco and the universities create a powerful partnership able together to force the pace of change.”

Delegates felt that with the development of the Sharp Project, MediaCityUK and high speed internet, the sector will continue to grow in scale:

“If we hark back to the industrial revolution, Manchester was at the forefront – the canals and railways were crucial to this success. Now, connectivity and network infrastructure to transport information are key to the future. Communications and Internet infrastructure is the new ‘black’,” said John Ridd, chief executive of NWIX.

How Do.

Questions raised over Porter's future at Crain's, as disciplinary proceedings initiated | Print | Email to a friend
Wednesday, 09 December 2009

How-Do has learnt that Arthur Porter's position at the helm of Crain's Manchester Business appears to be uncertain.

Crain's, which entrusted Porter with the launch of its first city business newspaper outside the US, has accused its publisher of gross misconduct and initiated disciplinary hearings against him.

Porter, a vocal and avuncular presence on the Manchester media scene, is believed to have appeared at a meeting concerning the issue today.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/images/stories/arthurporternew.jpg

Porter: the face of Crain's Manchester

It relates to his behaviour at the paper's Best Places to Work event on 9 June this year, which he hosted.

How-Do managed to speak to Porter in what we believe to be the aftermath of today's proceedings, but he would not be drawn on the issue in any way - his only comment being a firm "no comment."

The timing of the hearing has thrown the few that are aware of it on the city's media scene into some confusion.

One openly questioned to How-Do why the proceedings were taking place now, in December, when the event itself occurred in June. While another noted the timing of director of advertising Kathryn Toledano's promotion to the new role of associate publisher.

This latter development was announced in the paper just this week, imparting that Toledano would be "taking on a wider role."

Group publisher Chris Crain said of her move: “She was our first sales person and since joining the business has shown a passion for her work and a dedication to the advancement of our brand in the Manchester marketplace.

“Kathryn has helped to grow this product from an idea to a reality, and from a start-up to the must-read source for business information in Greater Manchester.”

How-Do was awaiting a comment from Crain with regards to the action against Porter at the time of writing.

Porter has been regarded by many within the local business community as very much 'the face' of Crain's since launching the publication two years ago.

During that time he has championed both its editorial commitment and the commercial model that the paper has resolutely stuck to.

Sorry I dont know, what did he do at the party?

Wow, has nobody posted this yet? Bad, but expected, news. Well, "rumours":

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-publishing/breaking-news:-gmg-looks-to-sell-manchester-evening-news-to-trinity-mirror?-200912177080/

"Reports are filtering through this morning that the Guardian Media Group is believed to be in talks to sell the Manchester Evening News to rival publishing group Trinity Mirror.

At the time of writing How-Do had been in contact with parties at both GMG and Trinity, but was informed that neither was willing to comment on the matter as yet.

It is being suggested that GMG Regional Media is to be sold off in a bid to save jobs and continue with the Scott Trust's overarching objective of protecting the interests of national paper The Guardian.

A figure of £40m has been mooted for the sale, but, again, at the time of writing this could not be confirmed."

I thought SSC would be humming with cut and thurst of vigorous debare on this, but I guess most people are in the pub getting lashed at Christmas parties.

Lucky buggers.

Cheers

Thom

Funny turnabout. Back in the day it was always said that the very successful regional newspaper, MEN, bankrolled the Scott Trust's precarious liberal national.

Regional news is right boogered now.

GMG's cash cow was always Autotrader, which it sold; a decision it must be really, really regretting now

Please no, not the Mirror. We dont need it run by a tabloid red top.

How Do.

Breaking news: GMG looks to sell Manchester Evening News to Trinity Mirror?

Thursday, 17 December 2009

Reports are filtering through this morning that the Guardian Media Group is believed to be in talks to sell the Manchester Evening News to rival publishing group Trinity Mirror.

At the time of writing How-Do had been in contact with parties at both GMG and Trinity, but was informed that neither was willing to comment on the matter as yet.

It is being suggested that GMG Regional Media is to be sold off in a bid to save jobs and continue with the Scott Trust's overarching objective of protecting the interests of national paper The Guardian.

A figure of £40m has been mooted for the sale, but, again, at the time of writing this could not be confirmed.

MEN staff that How-Do did manage to speak to informed us that they were unaware of any potential sale.

Both Trinity and GMG have suffered at the hands of the global downturn in advertising spend, with Trinity last year shedding some 800 staff and recently cutting back numbers at the Liverpool Daily Post, while GMG Regional Media has closed regional offices, altered it distribution model and made staff cuts in continued efforts to stem its losses.

Trinity Mirror currently prints GMG's Manchester titles.

How-Do will bring you more information as soon as we have it.

Update: GMG has now released the following statement to How-Do. A spokesperson has said that the group will make no further comment beyond this, nor will it confirm any details of the talks themselves.

"In line with its remit GMG keeps its portfolio under review on an ongoing basis.

Since the publication of the Digital Britain report we have been considering the potential for further consolidation within the regional press sector, and as part of this there have been some exploratory talks regarding our regional media business.

However these are at a very early stage and it is not clear whether they will progress or what the outcome is likely to be."

Manchester Confidential.

The Grand Old Lady of Manchester media to be sold?

Rumours on the How-Do website suggest MEN is to be sold: is the Guardian Media Group ditching Manchester?

In 1821 the Manchester Guardian was created.

In time Manchester and the Guardian became almost indistinguishable, their identities and qualities merging, both a byword for radicalism. In the 1860s the Manchester Guardian bought the Manchester Evening News.

Shame on the Guardian Media Group. It is their mismanagement that has driven what was a very good regional paper to the ground. To now turn tail and run from it seems a rare species of cowardice.

In 1959 the Guardian dropped Manchester from its name, and fled to London. The Mancunian heritage of the paper was left in the seemingly safe hands of the Evening News which proved popular and popularist.

Now it seems that the Guardian is to drop Manchester altogether. This is the report from the How-Do media website (click here).

'Reports are filtering through this morning that the Guardian Media Group is believed to be in talks to sell the Manchester Evening News to rival publishing group Trinity Mirror. At the time of writing How-Do had been in contact with parties at both GMG and Trinity, but was informed that neither was willing to comment on the matter as yet. It is being suggested that GMG Regional Media is to be sold off in a bid to save jobs and continue with the Scott Trust's overarching objective of protecting the interests of national paper The Guardian. A figure of £40m has been mooted for the sale, but, again, at the time of writing this could not be confirmed. MEN staff that How-Do did manage to speak to informed us that they were unaware of any potential sale.'


Shame on the Guardian Media Group if this is the truth. It is their mismanagement which has driven what was a very good regional paper to the ground. To now turn tail and run from it seems a rare species of cowardice. Ill-thought through decisions such as creating the unwatched monster that is Channel M, producing a stagnant web entertainment mag such as City Life, and moving to Hardman Street on a premium lease, have hit the journalists and other staff hard, costing them their jobs. In fact on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you have to go out of your way to even find an Evening News.

Of course regional papers have been the principal victims of the shift to the internet in advertising and news coverage: an industry shift largely out of the control of the Guardian Media Group. But the desperate measures to diversify have exacerbated the problem. They have done nothing to help the Manchester Evening News. Yet if How-Do's rumour is correct then Trinity Mirror appears to think there is still value in the brand.

Manchester needs a regular news provider.

The Manchester Evening News should still perform that duty, whether it changes form to become a weekly magazine with daily news online is open to debate. But surely it could make the changes within the framework of the Guardian Media Group.

Certainly those responsible for bringing the MEN to this crossroads should be considering their positions whatever happens. Because if the result of their actions is that Manchester loses its connection – apart from a token presence – with the Guardian after 190 years then that's a hell of an inheritance to have squandered.

BBC Radio 5 Live arrives early in Manchester

Wednesday, 23 December 2009

As of January 11th all of BBC Radio 5 Live’s late-night output is scheduled from the corporation’s Oxford Road studios in Manchester.

LiveseyThe shake-up at the station sees Tony Livesey replace Richard Bacon Monday to Thursday and Stephen Nolan, who already broadcasts from Oxford Road, will be doing Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"Tony's new programme is a major landmark in the planning for 5 Live's full move in 2011,” said Radio 5 Live controller Adrian Van Klaveren.

“The new late-night show should be essential listening for anyone who wants to be informed and entertained at the end of the day."

This year, the main presenters from 5 Live have been making it up to the North West to look around their new home, with Peter Allen describing it as “fantastic” and Nicky Campell pointing out that Salford isn’t Helmand province.

"The 5 Live audience have always responded well to Tony's warm and witty style of broadcasting. His work on Inside Sport and on sports programmes in the North-West means that he gets to talk to some of the biggest sports stars in the country,” said Jonathan Aspinwall, the station’s editor in Manchester and former breakfast show producer on BBC Manchester.

"Tony will also be at the heart of the 5 Live news operation – covering some of the biggest stories of 2010."

Livesey’s show will be aired from 10.30pm to 1am.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/bbc-radio-5-live-arrives-early-in-manchester-200912237110/

Arthur Porter leaves Crain's Manchester Business

Arthur Porter has decided to leave his post as publisher of Crain's Manchester Business to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests. Porter has served as publisher of Crain's for the last two years.

Kathryn Toledano has been promoted from advertising director to associate publisher of Crain's Manchester Business. In her new role, Toledano will be responsible for the business side of the operation, including advertising, events, marketing and circulation. Steve Brauner will continue as editor of Crain's Manchester Business.

Both Toledano and Brauner will report directly to group publisher Christopher Crain, who said: “Crain's wishes Arthur all the best in his future endeavors. We remain committed to providing the greater Manchester area with top notch business news and information.”

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/article/20100104/FREE/100109989/1159/-/-/arthur-porter-leaves-crains-manchester-business

Free Manchester Evening News only 2 days a week

Monday, 04 January 2010

The Manchester Evening News is to cut its free distribution model to just 2 days a week from this year.

Since 2006, 90,000 copies have been handed out in central Manchester every day, but Saturday. Now this will only happen on Thursdays and Fridays.

“The Manchester Evening News is our flagship title and we believe that the new distribution model will benefit paid-for sales on Monday to Wednesday whilst continuing to provide advertisers with the high volume readership they have come to expect on Thursday and Friday,” said Ruth Spratt, managing director of MEN Media.

“The challenge ahead is to continually look for innovative ways to flex all elements of our portfolio to provide readers and advertisers with the most effective media offering whether through print, broadcast or online.”

It’s a major turn-around at the publisher, which initially claimed the part free model was a huge success.

Back in 2007, Mark Dodson, chief executive of GMG Regional told the paper that a 19% increase in readership: “proves that our strategy of delivering a part-paid, part-free distribution model for the Manchester Evening News is already bearing fruit."

It comes following a difficult year at the MEN, with more than a 100 job cuts with the closure of its local editorial offices for its weekly newspapers and speculation that the Guardian Media Group held talks about selling it.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-publishing/free-manchester-evening-news-only-2-days-a-week-201001047117/

Interesting run of trails and programmes on BBC1 t'other night

First there was a trail for the new series of Survivors - looks like some of it was again filmed in Manchester

Then we had Celeb mastermind - made in Manch of course

Then there was a trail for for a Man City/Man United football match

Then the final ep of Gavin & Stacey - made by Baby Cow (Manchester)

Not bad for a channel based in London!

PS May have these things in slightly the wrong order but ya get my drift!

Survivors Series 2 was filmed in Birmingham this time.

http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/03/survivors-sci-fi-series-to-fil.html

Survivors Series 2 was filmed in Birmingham this time.

http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/03/survivors-sci-fi-series-to-fil.html

Wow really? I eat my words! Thought I recognised some Mancy buildings on the trail but clearly mind playing ticks, Thanks Flange!

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. In a series of four epic journeys, Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw's Britain remains.

Michael is in Manchester to find out more about George Bradshaw himself. He also gets fitted for a trilby in Denton and learns how the railways helped to create a national institution - fish and chips.

Eccles to Manchester 10/10, the one with liverpool yesterday was rather good as well
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00psyq3/hd/Great_British_Railway_Journeys_Manchester_to_Bury/

How do.

Porter leaves Crain's

Monday, 04 January 2010

Arthur Porter, the publisher of Crain’s Manchester Business has left the title to “spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.”

Group publisher, Christopher Crain said in a statement to the paper:

“Crain's wishes Arthur all the best in his future endeavours. We remain committed to providing the greater Manchester area with top notch business news and information.”

The news comes less than a month after disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Porter, following his behaviour at the Best Places To Work event in June.

He was accused of gross misconduct, although there was no mention of this in today's announcement.

Porter had been at the helm of the Crain’s Manchester title for 2 years and became a regular source of comments on the pages of How-Do, particularly with his hard-line approach to advertising.

As previously reported, Kathryn Toledano has been promoted from her role as director of advertising, to associate publisher. Steve Bauner will remain as editor.

Eccles to Manchester 10/10, the one with liverpool yesterday was rather good as well
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00psyq3/hd/Great_British_Railway_Journeys_Manchester_to_Bury/

Just watched this now in HD. Its really excellent.

Bump.

Bump.

Eccles to Manchester 10/10, the one with liverpool yesterday was rather good as well
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00psyq3/hd/Great_British_Railway_Journeys_Manchester_to_Bury/

Absolutely agreed FA - cracking little programme!

:-)

I stumbled upon the Liverpool-Eccles program the other night, loved it. I get that Eccles train quite often.

That's a great little show!

he's such an odd man though. he bumbles about as if he's trying to find out who he is.

Ironic really it was 'Who do you think you are?' that really launched his presenting career.

The more I watch it, the more he seems to be a bit clueless socially. He makes situations a bit awkward. Still a good watch though.

Portillo for all the obvious faults of being who he is and what he represents, was at least the only one within the Tory Cabinet of that DARK DECADE called the eighties, who supported the Metrolink within Whitehall.

Sales announced, MEN sold to Trinity Mirror for £44m will be completed on 28th March including website and weekly titles, the Guardian is retaining Channel M.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8505904.stm

Bye Bye Channel M now it's being booted out of Urbis it has no home and it has no sales dept since the MEN took over that then it is sunk.

Bye Bye Channel M now it's being booted out of Urbis it has no home and it has no sales dept since the MEN took over that then it is sunk.

Channel M staff were told late last week that they will be moving to Scott Place and studios in Newton Heath. Hardly seems likely this would be decided if a plan to close down operations was on the cards.

Theyve been planning to move out of Urbis for nearly a year and a half now. The rent was too high combined with logistics of trying to run a news operation from mostly pedestrianised city centre location where you could only even park one vehicle.

Since the adverts are mainly given away by MEN sales teams in packages with press advertising and they have no in house ad sales they are going to sink in a matter of months.
And why would they be moving to Scott Place which is the MEN offices? I assume the MEN will be moving out of these as I can't see the Mirror Group taking them on so why would GMG move channel M into them? I can see them getting rid of them as soon as they can as they won't have a tenant.
As for high rent at Urbis from what I have been told is they paid next to nothing to be in the building. And park for the few staff that work for them? don't make me laugh most of the cars are parked in Spinningfields and are used by the MEN sales team and a couple of others are parked in Shudehill carpark. They don't have a huge news gathering team.

CM also has a non-broadcast corporate productions team, that is who is moving to Scott Place. Blog comments today suggest that it is GMG who have the lease on Scott Place, not the MEN specifically.

Walked past Scott Place the other day, and noticed that the MEN logo wasn't on the small sign above the door. Can't really see what purpose it serves the Guardian to have an office in Manchester if they don't own the papers here? I think Scott Place is their registered office, but you can change that with a form, so why they're keeping Channel M (other than perhaps Trinity don't want it) or Scott Place I don't know.

If scott place lease is in the mother companies name and some offices are still based there it may well make sense to keep it on. For all we know the lease may have clauses preventing transfer meaning the company might as well enjoy it till it runs out.

Posted on the Spinningfields thread Scott Place is being vacated it won't be the home to any MEN or Guardian offices. This what I have heard so far MEN to move to Chadderton, Channel M to be wound down soon from what I was told today as it can't survive on it's own, and the Metro are in talks with Trinity Mirror regarding local Metro ad sales which may cease to be done by MEN, MEN Arena to be renamed by the end of the year, going back to paid for model shortly, websites to overhauled by summer (not sure if they mean pay wall or not).

Big changes that have some significant implications for news in the city region.

Its of course its the transition between paper and electronic media, which of course this forum has its small but informative part in this city.

But there is sadness that essentially we are seeing the end of the romantic life of the traditional press. Somehow I can imagine film like say Sweet Smell of Success, All the Presidents Men or even The Front Page such in the languid stupor of todays e media.

More so the death of the Manchester Guardian in all its senses.

The men is looking odd. Looks of new names in the news room, the tabloidisation towards football and crime and quirks like united fans covering city, the business pages coming all mixed up.

The MEN has been poor for years. Surprisingly the Metro has been better recently. Or maybe the MEN has been so bad, its made the Metro look good.

Shame to see Channel M go down, although it has become mainly infomercials and music videos lately.

On a positive note, glad to see the MEN Arena will be renamed. Any suggestions? How about the Anthony H. Wilson Arena? :shifty: Nah, it'll more likely be the Primark Centre or something naff like that.

Its always the Manchester Arena.

The sponsors can change each month for all I care.

By the way I am sure Wilson hated even a cocktail being named after him, so I doubt a 23000 seater arena would do unless its made of dissolving MDMA.

Posted on the Spinningfields thread Scott Place is being vacated it won't be the home to any MEN or Guardian offices. This what I have heard so far MEN to move to Chadderton, Channel M to be wound down soon from what I was told today as it can't survive on it's own, and the Metro are in talks with Trinity Mirror regarding local Metro ad sales which may cease to be done by MEN, MEN Arena to be renamed by the end of the year, going back to paid for model shortly, websites to overhauled by summer (not sure if they mean pay wall or not).

GMG apparantly still have the 97 year lease as I speculated.

The arena naming deal was a contra deal for the most part and that was due to come to an end anyway. In the past 10 years naming rights have become a valuable asset. Don't be too shocked at an o2 Manchester and in a few years everyone will forget it was the MEN arena just like they forgot Nynex arena.
GMG did sign a 100 yr lease but it will be sold, the building is great quality but I expect some work to be done on the layout by the new tenants once GMG are gone very soon.

There may be very good reasons, but why are newspaper companies based entirely in London? Obviously for the news, arts, business and politics desks it makes sense to be in the capital, but for things like sport and lifestyle journalism is there any reason to pay people higher London salaries to write about football or cakes?

There may be very good reasons, but why are newspaper companies based entirely in London? Obviously for the news, arts, business and politics desks it makes sense to be in the capital, but for things like sport and lifestyle journalism is there any reason to pay people higher London salaries to write about football or cakes?

Because this country is run by analogue 19th century tossers despite the fact we're now living in a digital world. There is no reason why any national newspaper needs an office based in London, and before some slack jawed goon pipes up to the contrary explain to me how CNN is based in Atlanta and not New York? You could easily run a paper in Manchester nowdays and have a couple of journos on the ground in the big cities outside of Manchester e.g. Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Leeds etc. Funnily enough people managed to do this a century ago without modern communication even - I think it was called the Manchester Guardian.....

Manchester should'nt name anything after a person , its soooo toe curlingly gringeworthy lol ( do them words exist )
Look at John Lennon Airport ,, cringe :)

Because this country is run by analogue 19th century tossers despite the fact we're now living in a digital world. There is no reason why any national newspaper needs an office based in London, and before some slack jawed goon pipes up to the contrary explain to me how CNN is based in Atlanta and not New York? You could easily run a paper in Manchester nowdays and have a couple of journos on the ground in the big cities outside of Manchester e.g. Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Leeds etc. Funnily enough people managed to do this a century ago without modern communication even - I think it was called the Manchester Guardian.....

Because Ted Turner has grown most of his businesses in Georgia and the Atlanta area.

The fact that we are living in a digital world means more concentration in London. UK is geographically too small to have anything like the USA's media diversity. It's just cheaper to centralize in London and have a northern correspodent email copy in. Digital media means it's easy to produce a northern edition of a paper from London.

Far from being analogue, it's digitization that has spelt the death knell of regional papers being produced in the regions. You can simply consolidate all your editorial staff in one location, and subcontract printing to another newspaper because you don't need your own typesetters to print the stuff.

I think the Daily Mirror plant in Hollinwood prints all northern editions of all papers. They just send the paper electronically from London, and print it out.

An interesting angle on the MEN-flogging furore from the Indi... and a heartwarming quote at the end.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/guardian-group-finally-takes-its-manchester-cash-cow-to-market-1898741.html

Guardian group finally takes its Manchester cash cow to market

Has GMG broken the spirit of the Scott Trust by selling its regional papers?

By Matthew Bell

Sunday, 14 February 2010
When Michael Frayn joined the Manchester Guardian as a reporter in 1957, he found a lunching partner in Harold Evans, then working his way up the ranks of The Manchester Evening News.

The two newspapers occupied an imposing redbrick building in Cross Street, sharing presses, a canteen, and the benevolent ownership of the Scott Trust. Frayn would go on to become one of the greatest playwrights of his generation, Evans the legendary editor of The Sunday Times, but their newspapers cannot boast such parallel paths.

This divergence was completed on Tuesday when The Guardian sold the MEN in a deal which sees Trinity Mirror acquire it and 22 other papers for a cash value of only £7.4m. The sell-off – described by one analyst as "the sale of the decade" – is part of a drive to stem losses at Guardian Media Group running at £100,000 a day, but it has disappointed journalists, politicians and councillors, who believe The Guardian has betrayed its roots and made an unprincipled withdrawal from the regional press.

"Most of us recognise that the printed media is going through a difficult time," says Tony Lloyd, the Labour MP for Manchester Central, "But this is another retreat from The Guardian's claim of social responsibility."

There is even the suggestion that the deal is in contravention of the original terms of the Scott Trust. When the trust was founded in 1936, four years after the death of C P Scott, The Guardian's spiritual father, the deeds contained the titles of both The Guardian and the MEN. For years, the company traded under both names. The precise wording of the original trust remains unknown to outsiders and these documents have never been made public.

In 1992, shortly before The Guardian acquired The Observer, the terms of the trust were revised and re-written by Liz Forgan, now the chairman of the trust. It was then that its central objective was made explicit, namely, "To secure the financial and editorial independence of The Guardian in perpetuity". If the trust previously existed to protect both papers, its purpose was now solely the preservation of the national.

Chris Wade, the director of communications at Guardian Media Group, says the point is academic: "Regardless of the technicality of the papers, the spirit of the trust was never in doubt. It has always been clearly understood, certainly by the Scott family, that the trust exists to preserve The Guardian."

Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of Guardian Media Group, echoes Wade: "No one in the trust was ever under any confusion". Asked why the Scott Trust's deeds have never been made public, she said: "They are private documents because it is a private trust."

The sale is consistent with a long-standing policy of using the paper as a cash-cow to prop up the loss-making Guardian. "The Guardian was heavily subsidised by the MEN in my day," recalls Frayn, now 74, "this transaction is purely financial."

The MEN was founded in 1868 and soon after bought by John Edward Taylor, founder of The Manchester Guardian. The papers parted company in 1907 but when the MEN was bought again by John, son of C P Scott, in 1924, it was highly profitable, and subsidised The Guardian for several decades. For example, in the financial year 1970-71, The Guardian's 150th anniversary, it lost £1.2m while the MEN made profits of £1.4m.

For Judy Gordon, the National Union of Journalists' mother of chapel at the MEN, the sale shows The Guardian management's disregard for the interests of its regional employees. "We feel betrayed," she says, "The Guardian has bled us dry for years and has now dumped us."

It is an accusation McCall does little to deny: "It was clear all the way along that the MEN was about the money and The Guardian was about the journalism. The Scott family bought it because it was a merchant's paper. It made money."

After cuts and redundancies at the MEN, which has a circulation of 90,000, editorial is now a tight operation. It is understood Trinity Mirror plans initially to keep the paper separate from its network of more than 260 titles. But there are plans to move staff out of central Manchester when the lease on the current building expires later this year, possibly to Trinity Mirror's printing plant at Oldham. Such a move may meet with resistance from Manchester City Council, which is anxious for the paper to remain in the centre. "Where they locate themselves is a matter for them but we will be discussing their plans with them." says a spokesman for the council, "It's an important regional voice."

Lloyd believes leaving the city would be a mistake. "I know there is this idea that you can be anywhere these days, but for a local paper, it is important to be at the heart of the community."

Trinity Mirror refused to discuss its plans, but it is known to have little patience for losses. The union is optimistic, though: "We're not overly worried," says Gordon. "We feel like a child finally being taken away from its feckless parents."

The opening paragraphs also illustrate a worrying evolution in the city's media scene. As the MEN possibly heads east to Oldham and Granada possibly heads west to Mediacity you vastly reduce the possibility for those chance meetings, those informal encounters between different elements of the creative classes.

It is exactly these synergies, arising from the proximity of Granada and the GMEN offices that added value to the output of both institutions. It was, I believe, was one of the determining factors behind the location of Granada in Manchester generally and at Quay street in particular.

I think the hope is that those chance meetings will now take place in the plaza at media city - that is, after all, the point.

The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) based in London has just announced that its new northern base will be in the centre of Wigan because of its Transport links for students to London, and low running costs allowing cheaper student fees.

http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/education/2010/02/alra-heads-north/

http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/education/2010/02/18/alra-reception.jpg

http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/education/2010/02/18/alra-cafe.jpg

Sometimes when I am writing about vocational training providers I struggle a bit to find good examples in the north - apart from the excellent LIPA and a handful of others. For the record I have yet to be accused of London-centricity or even south-centricity but it is a fact the there are more Conference of Drama School members, for example, in London and the South-East than anywhere else.

Good news then that the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, has just announced the launch of ALRA North, a northern base for ALRA’s Acting programme - the first CDS Drama School to offer regional training alongside training at its London home. The idea is to provide a centre of excellence which acting students won’t have to travel hundreds of miles to attend.

And they’re going to the centre of Wigan because of its efficient transport links. Cheaper running costs in the north-west mean that they will be able to keep fees down - well below London levels.

There’s a sparkly, refurbished, 8,000 square feet building planned with rehearsal studios, TV and radio studios, an on-site modern café (below) and a library with state-of-the-art IT facilities. A 200 seat performance space with full lighting and sound capabilities is part of the package. Specialised adaptations for recording studios and the performance space are in hand as I write. Otherwise the building is, I’m told, “bright, modern, clean and ready for use.”

ALRA North will be staffed by a mixture of new recruits and existing contacts. Some London staff are to teach at both centres travelling via the high-speed rail link.

The courses offered will be exactly the same as those at ALRA’s London base and continue to be accredited by NCDT and ALRA’s two validating bodies: Trinity College, and the University of Greenwich.

The 3 Year BA Acting will be available at ALRA North from September 2010 and other courses will, the movers and shakers hope, gradually be phased in.

“ALRA North marks a huge leap forward in ALRA’s outreach objectives.” said Adrian Hall, co-director of ALRA since June 2009. “It is building a reputation as a drama school that produces down-to-earth, committed actors, ready to work, and full of character and drive. They aren’t divas. They’re interesting, and interested. ALRA North will give us the chance to draw on an even wider pool of potential students, bringing a greater diversity to the school and pushing it forward into an industry hungry for it.”

Good news for drama training in general, I think and it will certainly help me when I want examples, quotes and case studies. How long will it be, I wonder, before one of the other London CDS schools dives into the same lake now that ALRA has dipped a toe in the water?

http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Wigan-to-get-arts-academy.6095741.jp

Thing is theyve not said where it is and I cant work out the site, and ive not seen any planning aps for it, so where is it?

The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) based in London has just announced that its new northern base will be in the centre of Wigan ?

This would have been perfect for The Hive in NQ and would surely have been logistically much better for Northern based students. Great news for Wigan mind.

Ah well Wigan is well placed and for the town this will have a bigger impact, whilst its just a ripple in the brew for Manchester.

I took some pics of the Hive last week. Erm not so impressed as before.

but why are newspaper companies based entirely in London?

Because there is nothing more amusing than a northerner with a chip on their shoulder about "southern bias"

If such people put as much passion into useful activities, such "complaints" probably wouldn't exist.

Because there is nothing more amusing than a northerner with a chip on their shoulder about "southern bias"

If such people put as much passion into useful activities, such "complaints" probably wouldn't exist.

Heh? I was asking a question about economic forces that have encouraged media centralisation, not moaning about southern bias. That's not a chip on my shoulder; I just don't really understand the processes that make it more economical to run a newspaper group out of the capital.

I can understand why banks and accountancies are based there, but why are nearly all magazines, newspapers, televsion producers etc. London based? In the US media is much more local, but even national media is not so centralised. Now obviously there are differences between us and the US, but I want to know which are actually responsible, and if the city could be doing anything to insulate its own media industry against the trend that has seen the Guardian, Granada abandon the city?

Because there is nothing more amusing than a northerner with a chip on their shoulder about "southern bias"

If such people put as much passion into useful activities, such "complaints" probably wouldn't exist.


Yawn. I have a theory that every time someone uses the expression 'a chip on the shoulder' they have automatically lost the debate.

Thats why Fish & Chip shop owners never win arguments?

Yawn. I have a theory that every time someone uses the expression 'a chip on the shoulder' they have automatically lost the debate.

I am sure you do.

I just get amused when people get so bothered about things being just over 200 miles away as if this is the far side of the world.

I seem to recall something about the BBC moving a few people to the Greater Manchester area, plus I think I've spotted a few large bank offices in the city.

Most industries tend to have developed from where they started, so if there are large concentrations of media and finance in London, then so too there are less manufacturing industries and the like - though sadly that is declining whereever it is.

My point is, we all live in the same country and it is a very small country. Manchester must have something over London and the south otherwise why is it the popular place that it is? People clearly want to live and work there, worry about that and ensuring it doesn't go away rather than complaining about other sectors that sustain other places.

I am sure you do.

I just get amused when people get so bothered about things being just over 200 miles away as if this is the far side of the world.

I seem to recall something about the BBC moving a few people to the Greater Manchester area, plus I think I've spotted a few large bank offices in the city.

Most industries tend to have developed from where they started, so if there are large concentrations of media and finance in London, then so too there are less manufacturing industries and the like - though sadly that is declining whereever it is.

My point is, we all live in the same country and it is a very small country. Manchester must have something over London and the south otherwise why is it the popular place that it is? People clearly want to live and work there, worry about that and ensuring it doesn't go away rather than complaining about other sectors that sustain other places.

So I take it you wouldn't mind if the capital city moved the triffling distance of 200 miles north then?

London used to be predominately industrial, despite the nonsense people pretend. The reason why large American banks opened up there was the massive tax incentive Maggie Thatcher gave by designating Canary Wharf a tax break area back in the 1980s. ie Government intervention is the reason people set up in London either directly or indirectly by massive and disproportinate levels of spending on infrastructure.

The reason why it matters is that people have a right to live in areas they want to live in (near their families for example). Why should talented people in places like Liverpool, Bradford, Newcastle etc. be denied the oportunity to contribute to society by being told 'get on your bike' when the government is doing handstands and backflips to relocate all infrastructure into one of the most expensive overcroweded cities in the world (and it's hinterlands)...?

In the information age people should be able to work in the areas they already live in (or choose to live in) without being ordered by government to go to where the work is, when the bloody work only exists in those areas because the government uses taxpayers money to ensure that the businesses are all in one place to begin with?

In summary Manchester is a great place with 2.6 million people in it which would be even better if at every turn the London centric government didn't go out of it's way to undermine the place with the lowest per capita spend in the UK. It'd be an even better if the government spent an equitable amount of money and the city went to a more natural equilibrium of circa 3.5 million people. That way you might not have to concrete over your beloved South East of England with dormitary towns to cope with the numbers of people who would be settling in the core cities (if they had decent transport, infrastructure and police spending).

Lose Lose situation for the UK. Brilliant? :ohno:

So I take it you wouldn't mind if the capital city moved the triffling distance of 200 miles north then?


Not in the slightest. And it is a triffling distance.

the government is doing handstands and backflips to relocate all infrastructure into one of the most expensive overcroweded cities in the world


Salford is the most overcrowded city in the world? Or was Media City a funny dream I had the other night?

What about Marks & Spencer? Headquartered for eternity in Baker Street, London..... but now in Chester.

Asda? Always been based in the North.

BAE Systems? OK, HQ in Hampshire but significant operations in the North West, where the largest aerospace maunfacturing cluster in the cuntry exists

Anyway, let's keep it topical, the original point was "newspaper companies being based entirely in London." Johnston Press is one of the largest local newspaper company's in the country, we'll overlook the fact that they are not very good! Head Office? Er.....Edinburgh. Another similar group is Newsquest, Head Office is...er....Weybridge. OK, it's down south and just inside the M25 but last time I checked, not in London. Plus that pales into insignificance compared to the regional offices, all local papers appear to be headquartered in or near their home territories, presumably employing local folk.

OK, national papers are generally based in London, but so what - they concentrate on national/international news. Well, some of them do...

In summary Manchester is a great place with 2.6 million people in it which would be even better if at every turn the London centric government didn't go out of it's way to undermine the place with the lowest per capita spend in the UK. It'd be an even better if the government spent an equitable amount of money and the city went to a more natural equilibrium of circa 3.5 million people. That way you might not have to concrete over your beloved South East of England with dormitary towns to cope with the numbers of people who would be settling in the core cities (if they had decent transport, infrastructure and police spending).

Well, if that little rant is not a chip on the shoulder, heaven knows what is!!

Yes, I am a southerner by the way, but I have lived in the North for over 15 years and contributed to it's economy the whole time, so excuse me if I get het up by certain behaviours.

has anyone else noticed a big drop off in the number of stories posted on the MEN website since around the time of the sale? Blogs seem to be unaffected and theyve added these meaningless live blogs that dont tell you anything about whats going.

has anyone else noticed a big drop off in the number of stories posted on the MEN website since around the time of the sale? Blogs seem to be unaffected and theyve added these meaningless live blogs that dont tell you anything about whats going.

Never read it , its full of negative shit stories

:nuts:

D-Day looms for Channel M as rescue consortium confers

Monday, 15 March 2010

The fate of Channel M is likely to be decided during a high-level phone conference later today. The conference will see five interested parties – Sky, Freeview, Virgin, Asian Sound Radio (ASR) and current owners, GMG – discuss possible ways forward for the troubled channel and its multiplex facility.

According to sources close to the discussions, GMG has said a deal has to be struck before the first week of April. If nothing is agreed, the company plans to either maintain the operation itself or, more likely, close the loss-making channel down entirely.

The plans currently under discussion will see staff numbers slashed from its current level of 45 to just nine. Despite this drastic reduction in core staff, plans are also afoot to expand its output into the ethnic markets, whilst maintaining a mainstream presence. It is unclear whether the current “Channel M” identity will be retained.

Asked by How-do as to the likelihood of this rescue package going ahead, one figure close to the negotiations said: “No better than 50-50. There are still a lot of issues to be resolved.”

Rather than being purely financial, these issues are said to centre around maintaining the station’s North West focus and identity, as well as relating to the exact roles of the companies bidding to be part of the new consortium, For Sky, Freeview and Virgin, the appeal of Channel M lies in its technical broadcasting resources, with only GMG and ASR likely to function as content providers.

Shujat Ali, group chief executive of ASR, declined to comment on the group’s involvement with the on-going discussions, saying only: “We have a number of discussions taking place about a number of media opportunities, both in radio and television. We are also looking at developing our event side. We never comment on individual negotiations until the deal has been signed.”

Despite Ali’s coyness, the involvement of the ethnic broadcaster in discussions relating to Channel M has been well-known for several weeks now. It's believed to have employed the services of one of the North West’s most well-known television sales executives in its bid to a acquire at least a partial stake in Channel M, although Ali would not be drawn as to his identity.

Further announcements about the channel’s future are expected within the next 48 hours.

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/d%11day-looms-for-channel-m-as-rescue-consortium-confers-201003157658/

Channel M could become teleshopping station

By Samrana Hussain

Channel M, the Manchester-based television station whose future is in doubt, has applied for and been granted three teleshopping licences by media regulator Ofcom.

The channel was not included in Trinity Mirror's purchase of its parent company MEN Media Ltd, publisher of the Manchester Evening News.

GMG Regional Media is believed to be trying to sell the channel, which has the right to broadcast on Freeview to Greater Manchester and the surrounding area.

Sky, Virgin and Asian Sound Radio (ASR) are reported to have expressed an interest.

Last year MEN Media made about half of Channel M's 70 staff redundant and the amount of original programming was cut back sharply.

The Ofcom website says the licences were granted in January.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/article/20100316/FREE/100319885/1083

Channel M to stop covering news after sale founders

By Samrana Hussain

Channel M, the Manchester-based television station, is to stop covering news after a buyer could not be found.

It will no longer broadcast evening magazine show Channel M Today and cease production of original news after this Friday.

Staff numbers will be slashed to 4 from 33.

Bosses at the channel, which was granted three teleshopping licences by media regulator Ofcom in January, said the station is no longer sustainable in its current form due to the absence of a committed buyer, the loss of access to news from MEN Media, and the costs associated with the requirement to leave the Urbis building.

The channel was not included in Trinity Mirror's purchase of its parent company MEN Media Ltd, publisher of the Manchester Evening News.

Earlier today GMG Regional Media denied reports they were in talks with Sky, Virgin and Asian Sound Radio to sell the channel, which has the right to broadcast on Freeview to Greater Manchester and the surrounding area.

A spokesperson said: “We have today informed staff that, despite interest from a number of parties, a viable offer for the station has not emerged.

“We regret to announce that as a consequence of these changes the company proposes to reduce the number of people employed by Channel M from 33 to four. The company is in consultation with those affected.”

“As a result, from this Friday the station will no longer broadcast evening magazine show Channel M Today, and will cease production of original news and features video. Channel M will remain on air, focusing in the short-term on a mixture of archive material, traffic and networked news. “

GMG will remain the owner and operator of both Channel M and the associated Freeview multiplex business in Manchester.

MEN Media's accounts for the year to March 29, 2009, reveal that Channel M has racked up losses of £14.4m since it launched in 2000.

The pre-tax loss widened to £5.5m compared with £4.7m in the previous year, after turnover slumped by nearly 25 per cent to £2.55m.

The accounts reveal that MEN Media has pumped in £14.7m since launch in 2000, but the Channel M Television Ltd balance sheet shows net current assets of only £359,000.

In their directors' report, Mark Dodson and David Sharrock said: “The performance of Channel M in common with the rest of the regional media sector has been disappointing.”

They said the cost base was being “reshaped to reflect this”, a reference to the decision last April to cut 41 out of 74 jobs at the station, which employed 91 people in 2008.

As well as the job losses, Channel M changed its format to limit expensive live programming to an early evening news, sport and information show.

The channel has never made a profit and has been resented by staff in the company's other businesses for the resources which have been expended on it.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/article/20100317/FREE/100319860/1083


Stop press: Channel M

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

A staff meeting at Channel M was called this morning at 10.30 am and has just finished. How-Do understands that although the station will continue to broadcast, there will be no further original programming on the station as from Friday. The number employed at the station will fall from the current 33 to four.

The options for the future of Channel M have been under review since the announcement of the sale of GMG Regional Media to Trinity Mirror.

Chris Wade of GMG has told How-Do that “We have today informed staff that, despite interest from a number of parties, a viable offer for the station has not emerged.

"Following the review of Channel M, we have reached the conclusion that the station is no longer sustainable in its current form. This is due to a number of factors, including the absence of a committed buyer, the loss of access to news from MEN Media, and the costs associated with the requirement to leave the Urbis building.

"As a result, from this Friday the station will no longer broadcast evening magazine show Channel M Today, and will cease production of original news and features video. Channel M will remain on air, focusing in the short-term on a mixture of archive material, traffic and networked news.

"We regret to announce that as a consequence of these changes the company proposes to reduce the number of people employed by Channel M from 33 to four. The company is in consultation with those affected.

"GMG will remain the owner and operator of both Channel M and the associated Freeview multiplex business in Manchester."

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/stop-press:-channel-m-201003177681/

That's the end of Channel M then. I hadn't factored that when Trinity didn't buy the channel their access to news would be severed along with links to the MEN.

It's a shame really and I feel for those who've lost their jobs. A local TV channel was an appealing concept but that freeview licence was too late in coming and their reporting often just too uninspiring.

I guess the only reason the remaining 4 people are in work is to tie things up and spend a couple of months hoping that someone will buy them for their freeview licence. Despite it's failings they've documented aspects Manchester in the noughties and hopefully the content will remain accessible online from now until forever.

EDIT: Still, at least they've lasted longer than L!VE TV.

Probably play out their advertising contracts with stock footage.

Channel M staff were told late last week that they will be moving to Scott Place and studios in Newton Heath. Hardly seems likely this would be decided if a plan to close down operations was on the cards.
I guess they only had 4 desks left?

Channel M to move to Salford and plans new productions

Friday, 19 March 2010

How-Do has learnt that Channel M will be moving to GMG’s radio base at Laser House in Salford Quays and is also planning to start commissioning new programmes from third party producers.

Having announced this Wednesday that although Channel M will continue to broadcast and that there will be no further original programming on the station as of today, How-Do understands that in fact there is an intention to maintain and indeed increase the level of original programming on the station albeit entirely through third party producers.

The station will be available on Freeview from Monday 12 April and Channel 200.

Channel M has hitherto primarily used Salford University for the majority of its non-proprietorial programming but the management is believed to be keen to progress discussions with other producers with a view to developing the station’s content from a much reduced central overhead.

Teams from Salford University are understood to currently produce around 24 hours a year of original programming for the station including an arts and culture show called Zeitgeist and a discussion programme called Grey Matters.

How-Do was awaiting a response from GMG as went live with this story.

Stop press. A spokesperson from GMG has responded to How-Do with the following statement: "The four remaining members of staff will relocate to Laser House.

"As we said in our announcement, Channel M will no longer produce original programming, and in the short-term the schedule will continue to focus on local archive material, networked news and traffic. Looking ahead, there will be opportunities to bring more local content into the schedule, and Channel M has had some discussions with potential partners."

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/channel-m-to-move-to-salford-and-plans-new-productions-201003197709/

Its been a quiet movement, but Community Radio continues at a fast pace in the City Region.

Thought I'd highlight this point given that within the last few years there has been and will be the emergence of a raft of broadcasters.

The existing stations are:

ALL FM (Central Manchester)
http://www.allfm.org/

Wythenshawe Fm
http://www.wfmradio.org/

Salford City Radio
http://www.salfordcityradio.org/

Roy Oldham Community Radio
http://www.tamesideradio.com/

Crescent Radio in Rochdale
http://www.crescentradio.net/

Pure FM in Stockport
http://www.pureradio.org.uk/

Peace FM in south central Manchester
http://www.peacefm.org.uk/

Chorley FM
http://chorley.fm

Cheshire FM (Northwich)
http://www.cheshirefm.co.uk/

And more are on their way

Bolton FM
http://www.boltonfm.com/

NMFM (North Manchester)
http://www.northmanchesterfm.org/

Rossendale Radio
http://www.rossendaleradio.co.uk/page.php?14

Unity FM (Dance, Rn'B and reggae from central Manchester.)
http://www.unityfm.net/

Gaydio (For the LGBT community of Gtr WoManchester)
http://www.gaydio.co.uk/listen-live.php

And of course their has been some short term RSL stations on air.

Bury FM (Mostly Islamic station)
http://www.project29.org.uk/project-radio-bury.htm

Refresh FM (Christian station)
http://www.refreshfm.org.uk/about.php

The University radio stations of Fuse Fm and Shock Fm at Manchester and Salford respectively

Good thing or just the same love song/pop/goldie format on the cheap?

Oddly I'd thought someone might comment on the spread of community radio stations. Hey ho! Nevermind!.

Chad and Ukraine in Palme d'Or running as Cannes field widens
Stephen Frears and Mike Leigh head up the British contingent at 63rd Cannes film festival

Lizzy Davies, Paris
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 15 April 2010 19.21 BST


Mike Leigh is Britain’s sole contender for the Palme d’Or with Another Year, a comedy drama featuring Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen and Oliver Maltman (above) and Imelda Staunton.

Mike Leigh, the Salford-born doyen of English cinema at its grittiest, will return to the red carpet of the Croisette next month as the only British director in competition for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes film festival.

Another Year, a comedy drama starring Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville, will be making its debut alongside 15 other works whose names were unveiled today by the organisers in Paris.

Also flying the flag for Britain will be Stephen Frears, whose adaptation of Posy Simmonds's Guardian comic strip Tamara Drewe is to be screened out of competition along with films by Woody Allen and Oliver Stone. Ridley Scott's action-packed blockbuster Robin Hood will kick off the 63rd edition of the festival.

Speaking amid the gilt mirrors and marble walls of Paris's Grand hotel, festival chief Thierry Frémaux told the world's media that this year's selection process had been rather difficult and lengthy. But he added that, with entries from 13 countries including Chad and Ukraine, the finished lineup reflected a growing desire to broaden the festival's horizons.

"Our selection shows the fact that great film-making is alive in every country," said Frémaux. "It's not just a dialogue between Europe and the United States but a global dialogue."

Among the films vying for the prestigious Palme d'Or are works by world cinematic heavyweights including Tokyo-born Takeshi Kitano and Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, whose Copie Conforme is his first work filmed outside his home country and stars Juliette Binoche.

And, while Cannes 2010 is shaping up promisingly for the host nation, with three French films vying for the Palme d'Or and another by Nouvelle Vague hero Jean-Luc Godard, Socialisme, appearing in the Un Certain Regard category, it looks likely to be another modest year for the United States.

Only one American director, Doug Liman, is in the running for the Palme d'Or. His spy thriller Fair Game is based on the true story of ex-CIA officer Valerie Plame and stars Naomi Watts and Sean Penn as the outed spook and her diplomat husband.

Despite months of speculation, a question mark still hangs over the eventual screening of fellow US filmmaker Terrence Malick's latest creation, which some had predicted would make it into the lineup. Frémaux said yesterday that the The Tree of Life, starring the Hollywood power duo of Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, "is not ready". But he left open the possibility that it might still be added to the programme before the festival opens on 12 May.

This year's jury – to be headed by Tim Burton and made up of film figures including Kate Beckinsale and the Puerto Rican actor Benicio Del Toro – will have much to chew through with the 16 Palme d'Or contenders. But it is away from the coveted group that many of the big names will be in the eye of publicity storms. Oliver Stone, whose Wall Street sequel, Money Never Sleeps, will be getting its premiere out of competition along with Frears's take on a feisty journalist's exploits in rural England.

Allen, who is notoriously averse to showing his films in the official Cannes competition, will also be showing on the sidelines of the festival – although his London-filmed movie, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, is bound to attract intense excitement on the Croisette. "We tried to ask him to be in the competition for once and the answer was 'no'," said Frémaux.

Gilles Jacob, the festival chairman, added that another invitation – this one largely symbolic – had been extended to the Iranian director Jafar Panahi to be guest of honour at the 2010 festival. Panahi, an outspoken critic of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's regime, has been in prison since his arrest in Tehran in March. The decision had been taken for Panahi's 'professional competencies', Jacob said, but added: "From a human point of view, I believe that having him at the festival would be very good for artistic freedom."

For those critics hungry for a dash of drama ahead of the opening night, yesterday's press conference provided an opportunity to delve into an ongoing battle over the event's media coverage.

Angry at moves to restrict the amount of time they will be permitted to report on the festival, news agencies including Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France Presse boycotted the press conference. "There is obviously no question of not doing our utmost to ensure this boycott is no longer in place when we're in Cannes," said Frémaux. "We will do everything to find a solution."

Anyone know what they're filming outside the RBS building in Spinningfields?

MEN Media moves to Oldham in September

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Trinity Mirror has confirmed that MEN Media will move to Oldham in September this year. This is when the lease runs out on its current flagship offices in Scott Place in Manchester city centre.

It was revealed back in February that the publisher intended to move the operation, but it wasn’t known when this would happen.

So, just months after its Oldham offices were closed, the Manchester Evening News and its 21 weekly papers will return to the town.

The paper won’t abandon the city centre entirely, there will be a small office with a front counter and “hot desks” for editorial and advertising staff.

According to the planning application, it will move into offices just off junction 22 of the M60 on Hollinwood Avenue, which is the home of Trinity Mirror Printing. As yet the application hasn’t been approved.

Today a spokesperson said there were no plans for redundancies as a result, but "staff would be the first to know."

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-publishing/men-media-moves-to-oldham-in-september-201006168354/

I actually felt gutted and had that sinking feeling in my stomach when I read the headline.

:cry:

For all it's faults and it's unnamed sources, it was a good damned read every Monday.

Crains.

Crain Communications closes Crain's Manchester Business

Business publisher Crain Communications Inc today announced the closing of Crain's Manchester Business, the first local weekly business journal to be published in the United Kingdom. Circulation of the publication was 11,500 top business decision makers in the Greater Manchester area.

“While we have been pleased with the support received from Crain's Manchester Business readers from the beginning of the project, ultimately the limited support from key advertising sectors has made the project unsustainable,” said Chris Crain, senior vice president, Crain Communications Inc. and editor-in-chief, Crain's Manchester Business.

“When we launched in August 2007, we introduced a new concept to the UK, based on a successful US weekly business publication model,” added Crain. “Editor Stephen Brauner created a highly useful product that was met with great excitement from the Greater Manchester business community because it captured the must know news and information for the coming business week.

“In a recessionary environment that withered marketing budgets around the globe, Associate Publisher Kathryn Toledano and her sales team managed to book 130 different advertisers into the publication. Kathryn's creativity, intelligence and sheer determination provided a stabilizing effect to the business even in its rockiest times,” added Crain.

The last issue of Crain's Manchester Business was published on June 21.

It was good journalism but too expensive and you could always find a copy on the tram to read :P

Crain's closure is a shame for a number of reasons. Granted, they were sometimes guilty of an over-reliance on Companies House for editorial (parallels with the MEN's reliance on the court house) but as a medium for the city's business community to promote interests, provoke discussion and disseminate information, it will be missed.

Here's How-Do's take on the news
http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-publishing/porter-on-crain's:-%22i-could-have-saved-it%22-201006228398/

An interesting point is made in the article (and expanded upon by various reader comments) that it tried to take a more journalistic line in its reporting rather than courting and pleasing various PRs, in turn impacting on advertising spend.


Porter on Crain's: "I could have saved it"

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Arthur Porter, the former publisher of Crain’s Manchester Business has told How-Do: “I honestly believe I could have saved it.”

He was speaking following the announcement that Crain Communications would be closing the operation in the city.

Porter left Crain’s in January this year to “spend more time with his family and pursue other interests” which included launching direct marketing venture SavaPak.

He said that the product he wanted to bring to market in 2006/2007 was very different from the publication that was printed.

“It is a huge shame. I think Manchester and the North West needs a product like Crain’s, but not the way it was done. We got it wrong, but I certainly believe there is a big opportunity there.”

He added that the US ownership didn’t help, because there was a clash of cultures:

“There was unrest in that office for a long time. Being managed from America meant that my hands were tied and I would have done it differently with more freedom.”

Aggressive

The overwhelming feedback from members of the business community in Manchester today was that Crain’s didn’t build relationships which could have led to its downfall.

Andy Spinoza from SKV Communications explained:
“They came into the market place and differentiated themselves by having a less cosy and collegiate approach than the other media.

“It meant that they ran stories that businesses didn’t necessarily want to see and they could be quite assertive and aggressive, but they did shake up the business sector.

“The question really is: had they taken a less purist stance and had they been prepared to compromise more on stories and their advertising policy, would they have survived? I think they should have been more savvy about building relationships, rather than just building readership.”

Porter said he agreed completely and that the product he envisaged wasn’t as “assertive.”

“We didn’t do relationships. We didn’t make friends. The inflexibility of advertising rates didn’t do us any favours either. But who is going to advertise in a paper when the editorial on the opposite page may be against them?”

Digital

Simon Wharton of digital agency, PushOn added:

“Crains aggressively didn't want to understand digital. They had all the assets to deliver something brilliant yet failed to make it work online. Why pay for what they have when someone else has it earlier for free? I bet Arthur Porter a pound they would have to change their model. Sorry to say I told you so.”

But Porter is still a supporter of print and he feels that another business publication will fill the hole left by Crain’s, with the emphasis on “publication”:

“I think the business community needs the information that was in Crain’s - and not just online.”

What were your favourite Crain's stories?

Hi All, I just thought i would post this Splash Media have been making a drama for BBC One called Candy Cabs In West Kirby on the Wirral all this Week and Next Week, with an all star cast of EastEnders actress Jo Joyner and comedy star Lisa Millett, including Paul Nicholls, Denis Lawson, John Henshaw, Jodie Prenger, Paul Kaye, Claire Sweeney, Melanie Hill, Tom Goodman-Hill, Daniel Ryan and Ricky Whittle.

Splash Media have been using Pro Vision which is based at granada on Quay Street and the Staff were saying that it is almost definatly moving out of Quay Street to Media City, the person i spoke to said that the deal had already been signed between senior figures at granada, itv, peel and the development partner for the site.
I asked who the development partner was and they did not say, they did say that people had been viewing the site in the past 2 weeks with architects and designers for the site.
They did say this that there was rumours circulating around Granada in Manchester that the developers had drawn up 2 options, the 1st being to demolish the granada office block and clear the site and develop the whole area as a mixed use development. option 2 being to refurbish the Granada building reclad it and clear the rest of the site to develop it.
i have done some initial research and have found that there is an architect that has been asigned the task to bring a vision for the site for their clients(the developers) needs. below is some of the options the architects have been looking at for the site
* 75 storey gateway to manchester tower to include a 5 star hotel
hotel operators have been approached with a view to a letting
* residential property
* retail
* restaurants and bars
* office accommodation
I will update more when i becomes available

Hi All, I just thought i would post this Splash Media have been making a drama for BBC One called Candy Cabs In West Kirby on the Wirral all this Week and Next Week, with an all star cast of EastEnders actress Jo Joyner and comedy star Lisa Millett, including Paul Nicholls, Denis Lawson, John Henshaw, Jodie Prenger, Paul Kaye, Claire Sweeney, Melanie Hill, Tom Goodman-Hill, Daniel Ryan and Ricky Whittle.

Splash Media have been using Pro Vision which is based at granada on Quay Street and the Staff were saying that it is almost definatly moving out of Quay Street to Media City, the person i spoke to said that the deal had already been signed between senior figures at granada, itv, peel and the development partner for the site.
I asked who the development partner was and they did not say, they did say that people had been viewing the site in the past 2 weeks with architects and designers for the site.
They did say this that there was rumours circulating around Granada in Manchester that the developers had drawn up 2 options, the 1st being to demolish the granada office block and clear the site and develop the whole area as a mixed use development. option 2 being to refurbish the Granada building reclad it and clear the rest of the site to develop it.
i have done some initial research and have found that there is an architect that has been asigned the task to bring a vision for the site for their clients(the developers) needs. below is some of the options the architects have been looking at for the site
* 75 storey gateway to manchester tower to include a 5 star hotel
hotel operators have been approached with a view to a letting
* residential property
* retail
* restaurants and bars
* office accommodation
I will update more when i becomes available

Thanks for that snippet First 4 Retail News. News like this is always welcomed, especially as it's pretty quiet on all fronts ATM. :)

* 75 storey gateway to manchester tower to include a 5 star hotel

I will update more when i becomes available

WHAT?!?!:omg:

It's not April 1st, either!

Where's the source of those quotes? (website)

Its 3rd hand gossip, freind of a freind working at Granada stuff. Not unbelievable that early on they would look at everything they could possibly do with the site, but this is framing options, not even at a feasability assesment stage I would imagine.

75m more like.

How Do.


The Natter aims to be the talk of Manchester with online launch

Thursday, 24 June 2010

Eric Jackson and Diane Cooke, two former colleagues from the Manchester Evening News, have soft-launched a new lifestyle and entertainment 'magazine style' portal for Manchester. In the long-term the pair hope to roll the brand out across other urban centres in the UK.

The Natter made its first tentative steps onto the web earlier this month - launching without fanfare so, as Jackson explained to How-Do, the team could "iron out any glitches" before going public.

Jackson, the MEN's former GO and travel section editor, is the editor of the site, while Cooke, former Women's editor and still one of the main columnists for the title, is the principal writer.

Together they are looking to create a portal and brand with a 'friendly' appeal, focusing on, in the editor's words "the extraordinary people and more offbeat events and stories that are all around us in this amazing, vibrant region."

A quick peruse of the site displays examples of this approach, with pieces taking in subjects as diverse as the recent Manchester Day Parade, Mani from Primal Scream (ex Stone Roses bassist) and an interview with John Amaechi, the Manchester-born basketball player that became the first NBA star to openly admit that he was gay.

It's an interesting mix, but isn't this kind of blend already catered for in the city? Jackson thinks not.

"We're different from what you might think of as the two main competitors (How-Do mentioned Manchester Confidential and the MEN itself).

"Manchester Confidential do food and drink, and they do it very well, but that's their corner of the market.

"Also, I have friends that live just outside Manchester that don't read it at all, whereas those with city centre flats do - so they're appealing to quite a narrow demographic, whereas we're not (The Natter is aiming to reach those within a 40 mile radius of the city).

"The Manchester Evening News is a different proposition entirely.

"You could say they touch on what we're doing with the occasional feature, but that's all we're about. They'll put their main focus on, for example, a hospital closure in Oldham, whereas we'll stick to lifestyle, the arts, people and so on."

At first glance observers might question whether The Natter is a creative outlet for the two rather than a business, but Jackson is adamant that the concept is commercially focused, just not at the expense of losing any editorial integrity.

"When we first came up with the idea, about a year ago, there was a very wealthy (unnamed) Manchester businesswoman that wanted to invest in it.

"She offered a lot of money, but she was looking at something purely commercially focused, with an emphasis on advertorial rather than editorial. We felt we had to turn that offer down."

Instead the pair decided to invest their own start-up capital and build the editorial product first - "we wanted to show that we weren't just some random chancers" - before searching out potential investors.

A number are now apparently interested, while a sales executive is being recruited prior to the 'hard launch' at "the end of July or the start of August."

Jackson hopes that the brand can roll out across the country after its local start, possibly in franchise format, but is realistic about its progression - "we're not daft, we realise this isn't going to happen overnight, but we do see potential and the reaction to the soft launch so far has been fantastic."

In terms of generating traffic, the team is planning to build up a database and send regular alerts, while pushing the brand name through on and off line marketing and, post hard launch, sponsoring local events.

Jackson, who also runs a PR business (and is a part time model, almost), says the two are looking at the long-term and "a logical progressive launch" and harbour complete belief in "the huge potential" of the brand and site.

Speaking of the latter, it was built by Fog of Eternity's Robin Cannon, after Jackson read Cannon's controversial piece on How-Do relating to content management systems and realised that the "stupid money" he'd been quoted by some local digital agencies to build the site was perhaps unnecessary.

He's yet to find any of those aforementioned glitches to iron out, he concluded, hence this chat to How-Do.

You can see the soft-launched The Natter at www.thenatter.co.uk

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jun/29/smooth-radio-merge-regional-stations
Smooth Radio to merge regional stations, with loss of up to 60 jobs

Guardian Media Group's easy-listening network to replace five separate stations with single Manchester-based operation

GMG Radio is to turn its five Smooth Radio regional stations in England into a single national broadcaster, with the loss of up to 60 jobs.

The new station will be based in Manchester and will broadcast on the national digital audio broadcasting (DAB) platform Digital One in addition to Smooth's five FM frequencies in north-west England, north-east England, London, the West Midlands and the East Midlands. It will begin a phased launch on 4 October.

The switch was made possible by regulatory changes ushered in by the recent Digital Economy Act and comes a week after Global Radio announced it was halving the number of its Heart regional stations.

Three of Smooth's regional bases outside Manchester will suffer significant cuts, and the East Midlands HQ in Nottingham will be shut. Smooth's Scottish station, which broadcasts to Glasgow and the west of Scotland, will be unaffected.

It is understood that between 40 and 60 people will lose their jobs as a result of the switch.

The five England stations currently simulcast a large proportion of their content, including a mid-morning show presented by Mark Goodier, who is expected to remain with the station in its new national incarnation.

Listeners on the FM and REGIONAL DAB services will continue to receive regional news, travel and weather which will be produced out of Smooth's Manchester base close to the BBC's new Media City development. Each region will also retain its own sales team.

"We are trying to change the shape of UK radio," said GMG Radio chief executive Stuart Taylor.

"Commercial radio has lacked scale and national delivery and the BBC has had all the national stations apart from the three commercial ones. We are going to add to that as the nation's first UK-wide easy listening station.

"We want to be number one among 40-to-59-year-olds. Smooth Radio is well-loved and we are investing in reach and talent.

"On the downside we are having to make some tough decisions and lose some trusted and valued colleagues. That is regrettable."

He added: "The future of radio is all about establishing strong brands, available across multiple platforms, and the future for Smooth is a truly national station. This deal with Digital One will enable Smooth to develop into one of the strongest names in UK radio.

"We regret the impact this will have on our people, but this new approach means Smooth Radio will be even better placed to serve its listeners and advertisers, more cost efficient as a business and in prime position for the digital future."

Smooth Radio already broadcasts nationwide on digital TV and online, but retains local programming, including breakfast and drivetime shows, in each region. It will now be a single national service across all platforms.

Its difficult to categorise that as positive or negative, becoming only the 4th national commercial radio station but losing its regional focus.

How Do.

Interesting read.

Crain's Manchester Business was up for sale before its closure

Monday, 28 June 2010


The US-based publisher Crain’s Inc actively explored the potential of selling Crain’s Manchester Business as a going concern before deciding to close the operation on Tuesday last week.

A sales memorandum was distributed to a number of publishing and related companies across the UK. There are not currently believed to be any interested takers.

The assets of CMB are limited: the key ones being the names of circa 2,400 subscribers, the names and email addresses of the registered users – although there may be some data protection issues at play here – the website and some office equipment.

The subscription figure in particular is much higher than most industry observers expected. To put this in a regional context, at Business Insider magazine which launched in 1991, the number of paying subscribers as opposed to those who receive the magazine for free, has fallen in recent years to around 630 out of a total circa 15,000 distribution.

However, given that Crain’s intends to refund subscribers on the unexpired portion of their subs, even this asset loses value for any prospective purchasers interested in keeping the title as a going concern.

In another slightly bizarre twist, the title itself, Crain’s Manchester Business, is not included in the list of assets for sale.

For those who are saddened by the closure of the paper, they will not be pleased to hear that there was in fact evidence of clear progress at the title. There was strong and steady growth in subscriptions and increasing – albeit relatively modest revenue from online operations. It is believed that ad and sponsorship sales from the print edition had effectively stalled and may even have been declining in recent months.

Sales were annualising at circa £500,000 with a further circa £240,000 from subscription revenue – less fulfilment costs - suggesting a loss for the current year of £500,000 or more.

Losses at the title are believed to total over £3m since inception with some suggesting the figure may be nearer to £4m.

Since the title’s closure last week, a number of rumours have been circulating relating to its demise and the whys and wherefores.

The suggestion that the two Crain brothers who now effectively run the privately-held company based in Detroit, were at odds over the future of their Manchester title, seems to be unfounded. It has been proposed that Chris Crain was keen to see more time extended to Manchester in contrast to his brother and other members of the family. The fact that the company’s only other international foray with the Crain’s city business model – Mexico – also closed may have played a part in the family’s hesitation relating to the Manchester operation and their longer-term international aspirations for Crain’s. Ultimately however, it appears the decision to close did come from Chris Crain, the paper’s editor in chief and overriding champion.

There have also been rumours that yet another libel case brought against the company was about to start proceedings and the size of the claim provoked Detroit into the unexpectedly swift action last week.

However, although the title did receive a number of lawyers’ letters and threats during its three years of publishing, How-Do understands that in fact none was ever successfully pursued against Crain’s and no money was ever paid out.

Another recurring rumour doing the rounds is that in addition to the title’s commercial underperformance, the editorial unrest at the title proved too disconcerting for Chris Crain back in Detroit. Stories that the editor Steve Brauner was too remote a figure from both the marketplace and his journalists and was an unpopular figure are wide of the mark. The number of messages of support from his staff for Brauner, both on How-Do itself and elsewhere, suggests an entirely different scenario. A journalist who provokes plenty of debate among his peers at the places he works, it seems that Brauner’s editorial approach was much admired by his team at Crain's.

And the final story doing the rounds is a more unfortunate one in terms of human interest. The word last week was that Crain’s was paying generous settlements to the staff. However How-Do has learnt that in fact a number of staff are only receiving statutory payments.

http://www.manchestermatters.co.uk/resources/mmthumb.JPG

http://www.manchestermatters.co.uk/

How Do.

Can Manchester Matters fill the Crain's gap?

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Former Manchester Evening News journalist, Alan Salter believes his new publication, Manchester Matters could fill the void left by the closure of Crain’s.

The new online print-on-demand publication will replace and incorporate TransportMatters, which was set up in 2007.

It will launch shortly through a partnership with Manchester publishing platform, myebook.com.

Salter explained that he’d made the decision to start the publication after he heard that the Greater Manchester local authorities had signed a Pilot City Region agreement to devolve more powers from Whitehall.

“Greater Manchester business is facing its most exciting time at the moment but I would wager that there are a lot of firms out there who are just not aware of the months of negotiations which have been going on with the government over the city region,” he continued.

“Manchester Matters will continue to report in detail on the transport scene but will broaden its scope. But above all, it will be a good read. We will start off monthly to gauge the demand but I hope soon to make it more frequent.”

He added that it would cover transport in detail as well as the effect of local politics on business.

Don,t know whether anyone has seen the latest Santander ads on the box but I am sure that is the top of the Co-Op tower they are using! Has anyone seen it yet as I only caught a fleeting glimpse of it last night?

Don,t know whether anyone has seen the latest Santander ads on the box but I am sure that is the top of the Co-Op tower they are using! Has anyone seen it yet as I only caught a fleeting glimpse of it last night?

Think I might have also caught a glimpse of the one you mean, but I think it's a similar building in London (on or around the junction of Euston Road and Tottenham Court Road).

The new natwest advert stars the spinningfields branch of the bank, a new tram and the beetham tower. I witnessed it being filmed on a monday afternoon only about 3 weeks ago.

Looks like Manchester is to double for NY again in Captain America. Lower East this time.

http://www.boweryboogie.com/2010/07/captain-america-using-manchester-as-lower-east-side.html

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Poniverse/news/?a=19648

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Sleuth/Sleuth/Sleuth-02072010_11541.asp?eid=509

Bit more. I guess its either currently or very soon to be filming in the next day of so.

http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2010/06/30/captain-america-filming-in-manchester-next-week/

Saw this headline in the fail this morning and had a slight panicky moment
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1291845/Hundreds-BBC-staff-forced-work-makeshift-studios-830m-office-fiasco.html
But it was about London :cheers:
Petty I know. But that can only be good news for the BBC move out of london.

Hilton Street, 1940's America?

I suppose theirs a couple of boarded up toilets that could double as subway entrances, lots of red breick, but I dont see New York.

Think it will be predominantly Dale Street filming towards Piccadilly basin direction. Though I think it resembles 1940's Soho/China Town than LES.

Apparently they are going to be adding fake shopfronts to the buildings to recreate New York, they managed to make the Northern Quarter look like NYC when they filmed Alfie there a few years back.

They've been in meetings with the council, police etc. and expect to start filming from the end of September around Dale Street. They're going as far as to add false shop fronts to the buildings and remove street lights.’

From the Manchester Confidential article linked before.

Word is September now.

I thought at first it was a late april fools.

Coronation Street set for anniversary tram disaster

Disaster will strike the cobbles of Coronation Street as the soap celebrates its 50th anniversary - with many of its famous residents killed and injured in a sensational accident.
The viaduct at the end of the street, close to the Kabin and Corner Shop, will collapse sending a tram careering off the bridge and onto the cobbles.
Metrolink bosses at GMPTE in Manchester have been working with the soap in the story line.
Exact details of the special week of episodes to be screened during the build up to the anniversary on December 9th are being kept under wraps.
Alternative scripts will be issued and security will be at its highest as producers keep the identity of those who will lose their lives top secret.
Even cast and crew do not know which Weatherfield residents will be killed in the disaster – which will be the biggest stunt Coronation Street has ever staged.
Announcing details of the dramatic storyline today, Corrie producer Phil Collinson said: "“As we celebrate the show reaching such an incredible milestone it feels fitting that we will be screening a dramatic event of this magnitude which will affect the lives of all the residents of Coronation Street.

"We’ll be using all the wonders of modern television production to bring you a disaster that will rock the lives of everyone in Weatherfield.

"At the heart of the drama though will be ordinary people on an ordinary street battling adversity – the template for the programme created by Tony Warren 50 years ago.”

Special effects experts from The Mill who worked on Gladiator and Doctor Who have been brought in by producer Phil Collinson to ensure the crash is as sensational as possible.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/1291380_coronation_street_set_for_anniversary_tram_disaster

I thought at first it was a late april fools.


http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/1291380_coronation_street_set_for_anniversary_tram_disaster

They should use 2001 :lol:

How Do.

TheBusinessDesk.com signs deal with Crain's

Wednesday, 07 July 2010

TheBusinessDesk.com has signed an agreement with Crain Communications to ensure a “continuity of service” for readers of its Manchester paper.

Crain’s Manchester Business closed on June 22nd after editor in chief, Chris Crain, told staff that the “project was unsustainable.”

The announcement of the agreement between the 2 companies was made on the Crain’s website, although interestingly users are asked to subscribe to the TheBusinessDesk.com, which suggests the Crain’s mailing list of 2,400 hasn’t been sold on - this could be due to data protection issues.

The mailing list was seen as one of the biggest assets of the company, along with the website and some office equipment.

It was discovered that Crain Communications had explored the possibility of selling its Manchester operation, before pulling the plug last month.

Chris Barry, the editor of the North West edition of TheBusinessDesk.com said that he wasn't able to release full details of the agreement, just that since Crain's Manchester Business closed, they have been talking to them about "providing a bridge for readers."

He confirmed that there were some other interested parties, but that TheBusinessDesk.com became its partner of choice, which at the moment means that the Crain's Manchester site will point readers to TheBusinessDesk website.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/

BBC show Candy Cabs causes a stir

Dianne Bourne

12th July, 2010

WITH a fleet of bright pink cars following their every move, it’s been hard to miss the cast and crew of new BBC comedy drama Candy Cabs filming in and around Stockport, Cheshire and Manchester over recent weeks.

A host of famous faces have descended on our patch to film the new series, about a group of women who set up a women’s only taxi firm – hence those candy-coloured citroen cars doing the rounds.

The BBC team have set up location base on the Matalan car park on Millgate in Stockport – and shoppers may well have seen the regular to-ing and fro-ing of the pink cars with “Candy Cabs” emblazoned down the side.

But onlookers may not have realised that a host of well-known faces were among the cab drivers of the fleet.

They included ex-Brookside actress Claire Sweeney, Eastenders star Jo Joyner, and West End star Jodie Prenger.

The Diary headed down to filming of the show last week, when the team took over the car showrooms of Quicks on St Mary’s Way which was transformed into the fictional offices of Candy Cabs.

They later headed across to Hazel Grove golf club, where more scenes were being filmed with the Candy Cabs girls and the “baddie” of the show, played by actor Denis Lawson.

We pictured Denis as he filmed on the golf course with fellow stars of the show, ex-Eastenders hunk Paul Nicholls and Early Doors star John Henshaw.

Denis, who plays rival taxi firm boss Kenny, revealed: “My character is very machiavellian, I suppose you’d say he is the villain of the piece.”

The team have been filming for six weeks around Stockport, Lymm and also West Kirby on the Wirral.

They ventured into the city centre at the weekend – filming right outside M.E.N. offices on Hardman Street.

And they were certainly hard to miss – a cast of around 50 were in fancy dress to stage a “protest” as part of the comedy’s storylines, using one of the buildings on Spinningfields to double as a council office for the show.

Producers of the show have revealed that the girls have looked so professional while driving their Candy Cabs around the area, that many people have been trying to book the taxis for themselves.

The series, which will be three, one hour episodes, is set to air on BBC1 in the new year.

http://blogs.menmedia.co.uk/bourne/2010/07/12/bbc-show-candy-cabs-causes-a-stir/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jul/13/bbc-bbc1-breakfast-salford

BBC1's Breakfast may move to Salford

The corporation's executives are considering shifting the programme and around 100 staff to the new northern HQ

BBC executives are considering relocating BBC1's Breakfast programme and its production team of about 100 from London to the corporation's new northern headquarters in Salford.

Staff on the show were given the news this morning by the BBC director of news, Helen Boaden.

According to BBC sources there is spare capacity in Salford in which to accommodate the BBC Breakfast team.

The BBC has already announced that 2,300 staff posts are due to transfer to the new BBC North centre from the sport, children's, learning, and future media and technology department, plus parts of BBC Radio 5 Live.

About half of the full-time staff who were asked to relocate have done so. Some of the rest have been deployed while others have taken voluntary redundancy.

The proposal to move BBC Breakfast is one of a number of options being discussed but is thought to be high up the list.

One source said: "People are in shock. They had no idea this was on the agenda."

A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC has always been clear it wants to move more output to Salford. But as to who will go, a decision has not been made, a number of options are being considered."

BBC News Channel presenters also facing cutbacks, according to today's Daily Telegraph.

The head of the BBC newsroom, Mary Hockaday, said her department is "reducing what we spend on presentation in line with BBC strategy".

"Further non-staff savings will be made in areas such as guest transport, guest fees and less spending on coverage with a focus on 'fewer, bigger, better' and the big stories," Hockaday added.

About three posts may go or the number of shifts presenters work may be reduced. BBC News channel entertainment show E24 is also set to be axed.

E24 is being axed? Im not the greatest fan but that after click and hardtalk is BBC News most common filler material!

Clicks ace..the Beebs only internet show..gets 23mins!

Won't a Manchester based Breakfast suffer from the same issues as This Morning did in its Liverpool days when those plugging their books couldn't be arsed coming up north to do so?

Unless they're actually going to cover the hideous reality of life (or real news as it's known) at 7am they may have some problems finding things to fill up the time.

Seems to be tied to a cost cutting program of no longer flying people in and paying their hotel bills to appear, so like newsnight they will be at the nearest BBC studio or by roving reporter while they will be more like anchors with those that already live in the north and would demand expenses to travel all the way to London.

Won't a Manchester based Breakfast suffer from the same issues as This Morning did in its Liverpool days when those plugging their books couldn't be arsed coming up north to do so?

Unless they're actually going to cover the hideous reality of life (or real news as it's known) at 7am they may have some problems finding things to fill up the time.

Apparently, there was no problems in getting stars to Liverpool when presenting This Morning.
I just people are making up excuses to not get BBC Breakfast in Manchester.

Although, saying that, if Sian Lloyd does go from the breakfast show, i am gonna miss those melons?
Christine Bleakely on Daybreak or the women on Sky News with Eamon Holmes?

It is now confirmed.


BBC confirms Breakfast move to Salford

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

The BBC has today confirmed that it is set to switch its flagship early morning Breakfast show from its current west London home to the new MediaCityUK development in Salford.

In a move that will no doubt be welcomed locally (and derided by some elements of the national press), the Breakfast show will join the five BBC departments already committed to relocating from the capital to Peel Media's sprawling waterside development.

News of the move initially broke yesterday via Twitter and the corporation has been quick to follow up on the leak, confirming to presenters and staff today that the switch will take place, apparently by 2012.

A formal announcement is expected to be made by the BBC later today. More details will follow.

UPDATE: The BBC has now released the following statement:

A decision has now been made to move BBC Breakfast to the BBC's new production hub in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester.

The move is part of the measures aimed at building a new relationship with audiences across the UK from the base in the north of England which opens next year. Teams from BBC Sport, Children's, Learning, Radio 5 Live, FM&T and all staff in BBC Manchester are already due to relocate.

The BBC will use the move of Breakfast to build on the show's current success and enhance its strong reputation for providing news and features from across the UK.

The show will also benefit from an iconic new waterside location which offers views of The Lowry Theatre, the Imperial War Museum North, the Peak District and the Manchester Ship Canal.

More than three hours per day of live BBC One output will now come from Salford, demonstrating the BBC's commitment to audiences across the UK.

Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News, said: "BBC Breakfast is the most watched breakfast programme in the UK and loved by millions. It has a fantastic connection with audiences across the UK and we want to build on that. Clearly this involves personal and professional decisions for the talented team who make Breakfast but we will be supporting them to reach an informed judgement about the move."

The move will allow BBC Breakfast, 5 Live, current affairs and regional news services to work even more closely together, maximise their impact and bring a fresh approach to production. A stronger presence will boost opportunities for career development and increase the attractiveness of Salford as a career option – not just for BBC staff but those in all fields of journalism.

Peter Salmon, Director, BBC North, said: "The move of Breakfast is especially symbolic as it is the first time a BBC Network News programme will come from outside London – a real vote of confidence in our new enterprise. Today's announcement shows just how serious we are about creating a world-class media hub in the north of England by better reflecting and serving all our viewers and listeners – wherever they live."

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-broadcasting/bbc-confirms-breakfast-move-to-salford-201007148594/

I cant bear to visit the Merseyside forum for the next couple of days, gonna be like stepping into a Jihadist rally.

I cant bear to visit the Merseyside forum for the next couple of days, gonna be like stepping into a Jihadist rally.

Titter!

I cant bear to visit the Merseyside forum for the next couple of days, gonna be like stepping into a Jihadist rally.

Salford Quays and Manchester will be 'famous at last'! The Lowry, the IWMN and Salford Quays will be as common as breakfast cereal and burnt toast across the nation by 2013.

You can keep the 3 Graces and the Waterfront.

Disclaimer.

Please do not be offended as it wasn't intended to offend. It was a mere joke.

How Do.

Fleet Street reacts to BBC Breakfast move to Salford

How-Do reads with interest, and an occasional deep sigh, the reaction of the London-based press to yesterday's news that the BBC could be set to move its flagship Breakfast show out of the capital and into its new departmental base at Salford's MediaCityUK.

As reported on How-Do, news of the proposed relocation broke yesterday when James Laidler, a BBC producer, tweeted "Awful mood in office today - emerges Breakfast is very likely moving to Salford by 2012 and we'll have 6 months to decide if we go too.”

In a demonstration of the power of social media - which can't have been lost on Laidler, who handles "all things social media for BBC Breakfast" - the story then spread with some speed and ferocity, appearing across numerous industry and gossip sites and blogs.

Today it proved to be the turn of the mainstream press to respond, led, in it's own inimitable style, by The Sun.

Staff were, readers were told, both "fuming" and "furious" at news of the plans, with one unnamed insider commenting: "This is utter madness. To say people are upset is an understatement."

In an open display of clear neutrality on the matter, the title also pointed out that BBC Breakfast was "already in for an autumn battering from ITV's sexed-up GMTV with Christine Bleakley."

You can judge the paper's standpoint here. How-Do thinks its choice of pictures to illustrate the comparison between MediaCityUK and the BBC's London base is, well... interesting.

The Independent meanwhile offered a more sober assessment of any planned relocation, noting that Breakfast's move could "provide a more visible reminder that the corporation's national output does not all emanate from London."

Torin Douglas, BBC media correspondent, was quoted as opining: "If BBC Breakfast were to move to Salford, viewers could really start to notice that the BBC was making more of its programmes in the North.

"Breakfast runs for three hours a day on BBC 1 – and the Salford Quays waterfront and new buildings could provide a highly visible backdrop for the programme."

However, issuing a note of caution the title noted that "persuading the programme's famous guests to travel far from the capital will not be easy, as ITV show This Morning found when it broadcast from Liverpool.

"Producers of breakfast radio and television are accustomed to sending early morning taxis for interviewees, but an appearance on Breakfast might in future necessitate a journey north the night before and an overnight stay."

It also noted of the show's presenters: "It remains to be seen whether Williams, Stayt and other star Breakfast presenters such as Bill Turnbull will be prepared to follow the programme north."

It's the year 2010, but it might as well be..............(pick a year), if you believe the 'Current Bun'. No wonder the general population in and around London still think it's 'Grim Up North'.

BREAKFAST show staff at the BBC are fuming at plans to move them from their base in West London.

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01085/tv_carousel_2_3up__1085346a.jpg

the rest of the pictures are protected, so I haven't been able to spoil the fun. The article isn't much better.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3053131/BBC-Breakfast-staff-angry-at-plans-to-move-them-to-Salford.html#ixzz0trYnMyce

Stuff em!:)

How Do.

BBC confirms Breakfast move to Salford

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

The BBC has today confirmed that it is set to switch its flagship early morning Breakfast show from its current west London home to the new MediaCityUK development in Salford.

In a move that will no doubt be welcomed locally (and derided by some elements of the national press), the Breakfast show will join the five BBC departments already committed to relocating from the capital to Peel Media's sprawling waterside development.

News of the move initially broke yesterday via Twitter and the corporation has been quick to follow up on the leak, confirming to presenters and staff today that the switch will take place, apparently by 2012.

A formal announcement is expected to be made by the BBC later today. More details will follow.

UPDATE: The BBC has now released the following statement:

A decision has now been made to move BBC Breakfast to the BBC's new production hub in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester.

The move is part of the measures aimed at building a new relationship with audiences across the UK from the base in the north of England which opens next year. Teams from BBC Sport, Children's, Learning, Radio 5 Live, FM&T and all staff in BBC Manchester are already due to relocate.

The BBC will use the move of Breakfast to build on the show's current success and enhance its strong reputation for providing news and features from across the UK.

The show will also benefit from an iconic new waterside location which offers views of The Lowry Theatre, the Imperial War Museum North, the Peak District and the Manchester Ship Canal.

More than three hours per day of live BBC One output will now come from Salford, demonstrating the BBC's commitment to audiences across the UK.

Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News, said: "BBC Breakfast is the most watched breakfast programme in the UK and loved by millions. It has a fantastic connection with audiences across the UK and we want to build on that. Clearly this involves personal and professional decisions for the talented team who make Breakfast but we will be supporting them to reach an informed judgement about the move."

The move will allow BBC Breakfast, 5 Live, current affairs and regional news services to work even more closely together, maximise their impact and bring a fresh approach to production. A stronger presence will boost opportunities for career development and increase the attractiveness of Salford as a career option – not just for BBC staff but those in all fields of journalism.

Peter Salmon, Director, BBC North, said: "The move of Breakfast is especially symbolic as it is the first time a BBC Network News programme will come from outside London – a real vote of confidence in our new enterprise. Today's announcement shows just how serious we are about creating a world-class media hub in the north of England by better reflecting and serving all our viewers and listeners – wherever they live."

James Laidler, a BBC producer, tweeted "Awful mood in office today - emerges Breakfast is very likely moving to Salford by 2012 and we'll have 6 months to decide if we go too.”

awww thats just awful poor james laidler,:cry:.:pet:

:|

Just out of interest how many of the guests on the show actually come from London? I know a lot must do but what about the ones from the rest of the country? It'll surely be easier for them now.

I cant bear to visit the Merseyside forum for the next couple of days, gonna be like stepping into a Jihadist rally.

:lol::lol::nuts:

More great news. :banana: don't often get weeks like this anymore.

Unfortunately it seems my quote at the bottom of the page has scared Monkey off, or did he know what was coming. :)

How do.

BBC announces another 118 roles relocating to MediaCityUK, as North becomes online and mobile hub

Thursday, 15 July 2010

For supporters of the BBC's move to its new departmental base at MediaCityUK, the good news just keeps on coming.

Following on from confirmation of the BBC Breakfast show switch to the North yesterday, the corporation has now announced that key teams from Marketing, Communications & Audiences (MC&A) and Future Media & Technology (FM&T) will also be making the move up from the capital.

The relocation of the FM&T division in particular illustrates the broadcaster's commitment to the development, with 75 roles moving, including the teams responsible for overall editorial, BBC homepage and search functionality.

In addition, BBC North will also become a hub for mobile, with the majority of the mobile team moving to MediaCityUK. FM&T's interactive gaming team will also move, while a new division dedicated to providing technology support and the broadcast output from Salford Quays will also be created.

Alongside FM&T, the marketing and audiences department, constituting 43 roles, has been informed that it is on the move.

According to the BBC this is "a reflection on how important the BBC’s new home will be both as a destination for audiences to interact with content and services, and also as a centre of excellence for audience insight in helping the organisation grow a new relationship with audiences."

BBC North director Peter Salmon commented: "The past two days have been a real shot in the arm for BBC North and for audiences across the UK.

“Following BBC Breakfast yesterday, these announcements show the real momentum behind our new operation. This fresh wave of journalists, audience specialists and technology experts enhances the site as a major centre for the creative industries and builds on the region’s heritage for great journalism and innovation.

“This reflects the federation of departments we will have in the north, a genuine cross section of the organisation, and how it is really in the interests of the whole BBC to make this a success.”

The BBC’s director of Future Media and Technology, Erik Huggers, added: "We are as committed as ever to building a strong BBC presence in the North, with FM&T at its heart.

"Just as Broadcasting House is associated with the rise of radio, and Television Centre with TV, I believe that MediaCity will become the BBC’s centre for the internet age."

“In time, BBC Online will become the universal gateway to the past, present, and future of the BBC – embracing our audiences within a single integrated offer across all platforms and devices. Moving our connected TV and mobile product teams north, together with a core part of BBC Online, is very much part of realising this vision.”

Alongside the moves, it has been announced that two Comedy shows will be commissioned from the base by 2012/13.

The great news continues! It just shows how committed the beeb are to making this work and proving the naysayers darn sarth wrong, I can see more moving when it all proves to be a success.

The great news continues! It just shows how committed the beeb are to making this work and proving the naysayers darn sarth wrong, I can see more moving when it all proves to be a success.

so can I Michael, I'm made up with all the good news this week concerning the beeb, that and the St Peter's Sq redevelopment gatherspace. :banana:

Don't know whether this is the most appropriate thread, or whether it's been said already, but NatWest's (I think it was them, too glued on seeing why everything seemed to be about Manchester! :?) new TV advert appears entirely filmed in Manchester and shows off various aspects of the city and NatWest's presence.

What the fuck do celebs have to do with the morning news anyway? I mean for gods sake who really gives a toss that early in the morning?

I want the news, weather and traffic when I'm dragging myself around the flat getting ready in the morning not some old bat promoting her new book release, or some one minitue wonder xfactor winner.

Once the staff move up here they'll realize what a bunch of loons they were thinking the worst. Pure southern egotistical bollocks it is. London is an utter shithole in places, I mean what bleeding paradise do they think they're coming from exactly?

...

Don't know whether this is the most appropriate thread, or whether it's been said already, but NatWest's (I think it was them, too glued on seeing why everything seemed to be about Manchester! :?) new TV advert appears entirely filmed in Manchester and shows off various aspects of the city and NatWest's presence.

Yep they were filming outside the Spinningfields branch about four weeks ago.