BBC Birmingham looks to a new digital future

BBC Director-General Tony Hall today returned to Birmingham to outline the start of a new creative vision for the BBC in the Midlands.

Published: 21 November 2013
I want to make Birmingham a really exciting and important part of what we do. This is just the start - but make no mistake, if you’re interested in new skills and digital innovation, this is the place to be.”
— Tony Hall, Director-General, BBC

He spoke with the whole team in the Mailbox, the BBC's base in Birmingham, and said: “I want to make Birmingham a really exciting and important part of what we do. This is just the start - but make no mistake, if you’re interested in new skills and digital innovation, this is the place to be.”

Outlining his vision, Tony Hall talked about some of the plans:

  • The teams who deliver entry level training schemes, talent and skills development, including inductions, will be based in Birmingham. BBC apprenticeships and traineeships will also be run from Birmingham
  • The BBC has agreed in principle with the Arts Council, England that Birmingham will become the new home for The Space, their pioneering digital arts partnership. Teams from Birmingham will also make a substantial contribution to the BBC’s Shakespeare season in 2016
  • A new digital innovation team will be developed in Birmingham, working with the Creative City Partnership and local talent to tell stories differently and produce content in a whole new way. This is part of the BBC’s wider strategy to engage younger, more diverse audiences
  • The BBC’s Outreach and Corporate Social Responsibility team, who work with local communities, educating and inspiring people right across the country, will also be moving to Birmingham

Tony Hall also outlined how the Mailbox would become an open skills and development space for people and his overall aim to build on the city's growing reputation for cutting edge digital work, its diverse talent pool, vibrant young audiences, strong arts scene and to celebrate Birmingham’s rich potential and ambitions for the future.

Tommy Nagra, newly appointed Head of Business Development for BBC Birmingham, will work with new Head of Regional and Local Programmes, David Jennings, and internal BBC staff and external partners to deliver the changes.

Peter Salmon, Director BBC North and tasked by Tony Hall to lead this project, said: “This is the first phase of our plans for the BBC in Birmingham. We’re building a stronger BBC in the city and today’s announcements are the first steps in that journey. We will continue to work with Birmingham, the wider region and the wider BBC to increase our activity here."

These changes will take place over the next two years and will bring around 80 jobs and £23.5m additional activity to the city over a three-year period.

Notes for Editors

The new measures will create 81.5 jobs in Birmingham, including 69 jobs moving from London and seven jobs moving from Salford. This adds up to £23.5 million additional activity in the region over the next three years.

Project England is a three year initiative to look at ideas for developing and connecting the three largest BBC broadcast hubs in England: Salford, Birmingham and Bristol. The PE team has four key objectives: increased connection with audiences; a creative dividend for staff and the BBC; economic and cultural benefits to the region and financial/operational benefits to the BBC.

The Project is led by Peter Salmon, Director BBC North, and the BBC North HQ team in partnership with leaders in Birmingham (including Head of Region, David Jennings), Bristol and English Regions.

Current BBC output from the Mailbox and the purpose-built drama village in nearby Selly Oak - dramas include Doctors, WPC 56 and Father Brown; the much-loved Radio 4 programme The Archers; the BBC Asian Network and local news and current affairs (it is the headquarters for BBC English Regions and the base for regional TV news programme Midlands Today and BBC Local Radio station, BBC WM). Recent network programming and events in the city include: By Any Means, The Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir of The Year and Peaky Blinders, BBC Two's striking drama series. The latter tripled the BBC Two UK average share in the Midlands.

JW5

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