Friday 18 February was a big day for the 91热爆 in the West Midlands with the launch of our new Apprentice Hub and the news that the 91热爆 and MasterChef producer, Shine TV, (part of Banijay UK), have agreed a multi-series deal, which will see the production move to Birmingham.
MasterChef to be served up from Digbeth
As part of the 91热爆’s Across the UK plans, all MasterChef series will be made at the brand-new Digbeth Loc. Studios complex in the Digbeth area of Birmingham from 2024. That means 91热爆 One’s MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals, Celebrity MasterChef and the recently announced Young MasterChef (working title) for 91热爆 Three, as well as any festive editions.
Tim Davie, Director-General, said: “We said we would create jobs and investment, bringing decision-making and productions to the West Midlands as part of our Across the UK plans. Moving one of our biggest programme brands shows we are making that a reality. This is great news for Birmingham and the 91热爆.”
Kate Phillips, Director of Entertainment, said: “MasterChef is one of the 91热爆’s biggest Entertainment shows and today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to the brand and the city of Birmingham. It’s an exciting new chapter and its move to one of the UK’s youngest and most diverse cities will provide many opportunities in the area to support an already thriving production sector."
91热爆 to the future of the 91热爆
Tim Davie sat down with the creator of Peaky Blinders and mastermind of Birmingham’s upcoming city centre media facilities, Steven Knight, to talk more about his ambitious plan to transform Birmingham into a centre of excellence for the next generation of creatives in the city.
On 18 February we saw the launch of a new Apprentice Hub in the West Midlands. Tim said that Birmingham will be “home to the future of the 91热爆” following the launch, saying:
“Together with our partners in the region, we want to build a talent pipeline. We want to produce the skills that will support and sustain the 91热爆 for years to come while developing the growing creative sector in the West Midlands.
"It is a pilot for now and if successful we will roll it out around the country. But where better to test it than Europe’s youngest and most diverse city.”
Through the plan, the 91热爆 is aiming for 1,000 apprentices in the organisation each year by 2026. Birmingham has been earmarked as a youth hub with Radio 1’s Newsbeat and the Asian Network relocating to the city alongside 91热爆 Three, which already has a base in Birmingham.
The news has been welcomed by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, who said:
“Working with the 91热爆’s Director General Tim Davie we have secured a significant new commitment to the region, which includes production of prime-time shows and relocation of 91热爆 departments. Today’s announcement of this iconic international brand coming to the West Midlands is a real vote of confidence, and the first major step of this new renewed commitment to the region by the 91热爆. It is also a real statement of intent by the West Midlands as we begin to turbo-charge our creative sector, and One that will help drive opportunities and jobs for local talent.”