Category Archives: BBC Media City Move

THE latest round of media speculation does not make happy reading for those backing the BBC’s move to Salford.
It predicts that, at best, the BBC will receive a licence fee settlement in line with inflation, or even a below inflation deal.
That compares to the corporation’s request for an increase of inflation plus 1.8 per cent to fund its future plans, including Salford.
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HE went for the job, not the money, and claims he wasn’t influenced by events at the BBC.
Former BBC chairman Michael Grade is pictured walking into ITV’s HQ in London today, where he has taken the job of executive chairman.
Mr Grade didn’t want to talk about leaving behind the BBC’s licence fee talks with the government. “Not an issue for today,” he said.
But BBC director general Mark Thompson moved quickly to quell fears that the corporation had been left in the lurch – or that the move to Salford might face another question mark because of Mr Grade’s channel switch.
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WHAT does BBC chairman Michael Grade’s shock defection to ITV mean for the corporation’s planned move to Salford?
His resignation to become executive chairman at ITV is a huge blow to the BBC.
“Clearly this is a surprise,” said the BBC, as the media world struggled to come to terms with Mr Grade’s stunning transfer.
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WILL the BBC’s big move to Salford really happen?
BBC director general Mark Thompson visited the site of the proposed Media City on Friday.
It was a sunny afternoon as we stood on a balcony at The Lowry, where this photo was taken.
“Today, with the sun shining, you can almost see the thing there across the water,” he told an audience of VIPs, business leaders and MPs.
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HE actually said nothing we didn’t know already. But the clue is in the timing of his remarks.
BBC director general Mark Thompson made a speech earlier today warning that the corporation will be forced to abandon its £400m move to Salford if it does not get the licence fee settlement it needs.
That’s always been the case. But it does no harm to spell it out in public when a government announcement on the licence fee settlement is imminent – and the trailers are not looking good.
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