Tag Archives: mediacityuk

The Register: Salford ‘teething problems’ lead to BBC errors

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BBC insiders have spoken out about “endemic problems” with technology at the new MediaCity facilities in Salford, which have led to a series of errors including one unfortunate captioning mistake that saw a child being labelled as a recovering alcoholic.

“Once a mistake has been entered into the computer, the director in the TV gallery can do nothing to stop it. The software won’t allow it,” a source told The Register.

Other problems include failing clocks and non-responsive robotic cameras. The problems have so far affected BBC North West programmes, but BBC Breakfast is also moving into the studio complex shortly.

The BBC response is: “It wasn’t a technical error but rather just a simple case of people getting used to the new systems. With the introduction of any new systems, teething problems are to be expected.”

Less than half of BBC breakfast team confirm Salford move

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In a statement released late on Thursday, the BBC confirmed that 46 per cent of its BBC Breakfast team, including presenters Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid, have confirmed that they will move to Salford Quays next year, to a new base at MediaCityUK.

This along with just a quarter of the Marketing & Audiences team in scope to move and 33 per cent from BBC Connect & Create, puts the combined total of confirmed moves at 55 per cent, the broadcaster claimed, a figure which includes staff outside of scope who volunteered to move.

The BBC confirmed that journalists Sian Williams and Chris Hollins have decided “for personal reasons” not to make the move, but added that they will “continue to be involved in the programme for the foreseeable future”.

Broadcasting over three hours of live television every day on BBC One and the News Channel, Breakfast will be the first BBC television network news programme produced and broadcast from outside London. It is the UK’s most watched morning TV programme, with a daily reach of around seven million and a weekly reach of around 12 million.

See the full BBC release here…

How Do: Redefining media studies at the University of Salford

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Interview with Jon Corner, the University of Salford’s MediaCityUK director, about the uni’s plans to “redefine media studies” from its new base at the Salford centre.

I agree with you about certain prejudices surrounding the notion of ‘Media Studies’ – but really Salford will be focused on new digital content creation and new digital content delivery. Ours is a very technological, industry-focused offer with the relevance the international sector is hungry for.

However, I do think there’s a potential growing mismatch between what’s happening at forward-thinking higher education institutions like Salford and how ‘media’ is delivered in UK secondary schools. It’s something I’m personally passionate about and I think we have an opportunity to begin to redefine and change that delivery by opening up new types of dialogue and shared practice with schools.

Full story on How Do at this link…

What’s it like to live in a media city?

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In case you were wondering what a ‘media city’ or ‘global media community’ would look like, we’ve got some info on the new flats at Salford Quays, ahead of the BBC’s move of Radio 5 Live, Children’s and some of Future Media and Technology.

Not only are the new dwellings billed as “tasteful, exquisite, and refined”, you’ll get to “experience (media) city living” and “be at the heart of it”. Continuing with the odd punctuation, Peel Media has named the blocks ‘TheHeart’ and ‘NumberOne’.

If you want to see more, have a look at this Peel Media ad for the new apartments available to buy or rent at MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.

Brand new, contemporary waterfront apartments are now available in the spectacular environs of MediaCityUK at Salford Quays. Available to buy or rent in two towers fronting the Manchester Ship Canal, there are studios, one, two or three bedroom apartments with the upper floors having breathtaking views of MediaCityUK and the surrounding area.

Peel Media is developing a global media community here and, as a resident, you will be at the heart of the excitement. BBC North and the University of Salford will open their respective new headquarters at MediaCityUK in 2011 while the most high-tech broadcast studio development in the UK will be creating content for a wide range of programmes. The apartments benefit from the fastest residential broadband connection in the country; a new tram stop on the doorstep; bars and restaurants; a Booths food store and a stunning public piazza and park.

A word of warning, if this YouTube video is anything to go by, your neighbours will look like they’re straight out of the Monsters Inc factory.

Hat-tip: How-Do