Category: 91Èȱ¬;
West
Midlands TV; 91Èȱ¬
WM; Asian
Network
Date: 06.09.2004
Printable version
This is a
big week for 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham and its audiences as today (Monday 6 September)
it puts the official stamp on its move to The Mailbox, back to
the city centre, back to its roots and back closer to its audiences
with a week long line-up of public events.
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Almost 70,000 visitors have already come through the
doors of the Public Space at the new state-of-the art broadcasting
centre and, this week, it is hoped many more of 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham's viewers
and listeners will join in the celebrations.
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Friday night will be the highpoint when 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham
has its Big Night Out in association with ArtsFest 2004, with
a canal-side spectacular at the rear of The Mailbox with breath-taking
performances by local and international performers.
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Full details are posted on bbc.co.uk/birmingham but
the public are invited to drop into the Public Space to try out camera
skills, have a go at sports commentary, join master classes with Britain's
top documentary makers or quiz the boss behind EastEnders and Holby
City on how dramas including 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham's Doctors series are made.
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Talent and programme makers from The Archers, Doctors,
the 91Èȱ¬ Asian Network soap Silver Street, Midlands Today, 91Èȱ¬ WM and
91Èȱ¬ recruitment staff and many more will be on hand to give insider
tips throughout the week.
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On Thursday (9 September) HRH The Princess Royal will
officially launch 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham's new home in a private ceremony as
she did at Pebble Mill 33 years ago.
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On Friday (10 September), 91Èȱ¬ Director-General Mark
Thompson delivers a speech about 91Èȱ¬ plans for the future and Alan Yentob,
Director of Creativity at the 91Èȱ¬, hosts an arts debate at the IKON
Gallery.
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Andy Griffee, Controller, 91Èȱ¬ English Regions, said:
"I hope the events we have planned this week will draw even more
to a brand new modern 91Èȱ¬ in the heart of this great city of Birmingham.
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"The Mailbox represents a major investment on behalf
of the 91Èȱ¬ to Birmingham and is one of the most technologically advanced
centres in Europe.
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"It means we can play an even more important role
in the economic and cultural life of the Midlands."
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He continued: "It's great to be here in The Mailbox
but not because we have a creatively designed new space and brand new
studios.
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"The 91Èȱ¬'s move is not about bricks and mortar,
it has always been about people and our chance of making lasting connections
with our audiences in a way that was not possible at Pebble Mill.
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"Great programmes, public accessibility and partnerships
including the move of our drama department to a brand new 'drama village'
in the University of Birmingham is what we are about."
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Notes to Editors
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The 91Èȱ¬ will occupy more than 100,000 square feet on the first and second
floors of The Mailbox, a 25-acre mixed development site in Royal Mail
Street, near Birmingham New Street Station.
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The development also houses hotels, shops, restaurants
and bars in a canal-side location, with a public walkway running through
it.
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In the 91Èȱ¬'s new public space visitors can shop, enjoy a coffee, access
bbc.co.uk and search for 91Èȱ¬ vacancies online.
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They will also be able to find out how programmes are
made, try their hand at reading autocue, present the weather and test
out new interactive 91Èȱ¬ exhibits.
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Picture windows built into the brand new local radio
station studio and the Asian Network studio and a gallery view of Midlands
Today will allow the public to see and interact with presenters at work.
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91Èȱ¬ Birmingham produces award-winning programmes for 91Èȱ¬ network television
and radio.
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It is the first choice in the region for news, information
and entertainment.
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Made famous by The Archers, it is home of the world's
longest running soap.
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Network production supplies 91Èȱ¬ ONE, 91Èȱ¬ TWO and the
91Èȱ¬ digital channels as well as output for Radios 2, 4 and Five Live.
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Output for Midlands audiences includes Midlands Today,
91Èȱ¬ WM and the Politics Show.
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Celebrating 40 years in the business this year is 91Èȱ¬
Birmingham's Asian Programme Unit.
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