The whys, whats, wheres and hows of the BBC's sell-off of Television Centre
Why is the BBC selling Television Centre?
To raise money ? and save money. The BBC is hoping the sale of the 14 acre Television Centre site on Wood Lane in west London to a commercial property developer will generate significant income ? �300m has been touted. This cash will come in handy as the BBC makes cost savings required by a six-year licence-fee freeze, which will see its income cut by 16% in real terms. The BBC owns a number of large premises around the UK and aims to find some of these savings by reducing the size of its property portfolio by 30%. It is estimated that vacating TV Centre will save �20m a year.
Also, times have changed. When TV Centre opened in 1960, programme-making was more studio-based, requiring purpose-built facilities to house cameras and other bulky equipment necessary for the process. With changes including the introduction lightweight digital cameras and desktop editing, TV production is much less studio-bound ? the last major drama series shot in TV Centre was The House of Eliott in 1994.
Will TV Centre be knocked down?
Not all of it. Parts of TV Centre, including the main circular ring ? known as the "doughnut" ? linking the studios, the original scenery block and former canteen were given Grade II listed status in 2009. These would have to be incorporated into any redevelopment plans.
But more recent additions to the site ? including the late 1990s spur which houses BBC News and the main TV Centre reception ? do not enjoy such protection. And the Blue Peter garden is moving to the roof of the BBC North base in Salford along with the rest of the children's department.
When will the last BBC staff leave?
The BBC expects the majority of about 5,000 employees to move out by the summer of 2013, with the site vacated completely by 2015.
BBC Studios and Post Production, a wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the corporation that runs TV Centre's 12 studios and accompanying facilities, is also contracted to make BBC shows there until 2015. After that BBC Studios may stay at TV Centre or move to a new site, depending on the redevelopment plans.
BBC News is due to move across town to the redeveloped Broadcasting House site in central London; while staff from five departments ? BBC children's, sport, learning, most of Radio 5 Live and future, media and technology ? plus BBC Breakfast are going to the new BBC North base at MediaCity UK in Salford.
This will leave about 1,200 staff at TV Centre, including the channel controllers, commissioning and scheduling teams for BBC1, BBC2, BBC3 and BBC4. They are expected to move the short walk up Wood Lane to the BBC's White City premises by the the Westway elevated section of the A40.
What will replace it?
The BBC is looking for a commercial partner to buy the freehold outright, or as part of a joint venture with the corporation.
It is looking to redevelop the site in a way that preserves the listed parts of TV Centre and creates a "creative quarter" ? a hub for businesses including other broadcasters, independent production and technology companies.
The BBC has also said it is considering keeping a presence at the TV Centre site by leasing studio space for some of its music shows and orchestras and "BBC heritage, legacy or licensing commercial activities", such as exhibitions.
However, Chris Kane, one of the BBC executives involved in the project, also admitted today that a residential redevelopment could attract the most money, with the sale aiming to "maximise the value of the site".
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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jun/13/bbc-television-centre-sell-off1
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