A £25m investment by the BBC into the North East will see it make more programmes in the region, support independent production companies and create new jobs.
Described as the corporation’s largest investment in the region for decades, the announcement from BBC director-general Tim Davie has been welcomed by local politicians and cultural bodies.
The plan will see the BBC produce a new daytime TV show from the North East, make Newcastle the BBC’s first ‘city of comedy’ and build on the success of its Angels of the North and Ambulance shows, which are filmed in the region.
Full story: go here for more North East news
It has also signed an agreement with the 12 councils in the North East to work more closely to invest in the region’s production industry, while the prestigious Reith Lectures - a centrepiece of the BBC’s output since 1948 - will come from the region later this year.
The announcement - which follows a commitment last year to create 70 jobs with a new BBC digital hub in Newcastle - follows similar moves elsewhere in the 海角视频 by the BBC to help stimulate growth in the creative economy around the regions and nations of the 海角视频.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “This is a really exciting day for the BBC and I hope for the whole of the North East too. I’m proud we’ve been able to partner with so many organisations from right across the region.
“And what’s clear is the ambition and determination to make the North East a major centre for the creative industries and we want to play an important part in making that happen. We want to see more BBC content coming from the North East and a BBC that’s much more active and visible in the region. It’s time to get on with that work.”
Most Read
Sign up for your daily BusinessLive North East newsletter
You can get all the day's business news from the North East sent to your email inbox each morning.
By signing up here, we will deliver the headlines from companies in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside straight to your email inbox every morning.
Our specialist team of business writers will bring you stories from a range of sectors, reporting on companies large and small.
The move has been welcomed by North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll and his Tees Valley counterpart Ben Houchen.
Mr Driscoll said: “Depending on your generation, you’ll remember The Likely Lads, When the Boat Comes In, or Byker Grove. Well, we need more TV filmed in the North East.
“Our region is stunning; from Bamburgh Castle, across the Tyne Bridge, past Durham Cathedral to the Transporter Bridge. It’s by investing in our region that our talented writers, actors and technicians can put us on the map again.”
Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said: “Geordies are famous for their great sense of humour so where better than Newcastle to have a City of Comedy? The BBC’s move from London to the regions has been long awaited but nonetheless this is a significant investment in our city creating 70 good quality jobs which I warmly welcome.
“Bringing the Reith Lectures to Newcastle in 2022 will also raise the profile of our intellectual and cultural offer as one of the great northern cities.”
Tom Gutteridge, chairman of the Northern Film + Media sector group, also welcomed the BBC announcement, saying: “This is a monumental period for the North East screen industry.
Don’t miss
“It will be transformational and we hope not only to increase the amount of large scale productions coming to the region, but also continue to work, support and develop local productions to ensure the North East voice is well and truly heard by global audiences.”
The BBC announcement comes just a few days after independent TV production company Fulwell 73 - makers of the Netflix programme Sunderland ‘Til I die and the Friends Reunion show - announced it was setting up an office in Sunderland.