BBC S&PP extends Elstree deal

BBC S&PP relocated to Elstree last year while Television Centre (TVC) is redeveloped following its sale to property developer Stanhope.

The BBC commercial subsidiary currently hires Stage 8, Stage 9 and George Lucas production gallery space from Elstree Studios, as well as operating studios at BBC Elstree.

When TVC reopens, BBC S&PP will return to the west London site to operate Studios 1, 2 and 3.

BBC Studios and Post Production chief executive Anna Mallett said BBC S&PP remained on course to return to the site in Spring 2015.

She said: “Our works to update and revamp the studios are well underway, however as you would expect with a complex project of this kind, we are in constant communication with Stanhope as they work through the details of their construction plans.

“Our main priority is our customers and ensuring the best possible experience for them wherever we are delivering services from.

“Our partnership with Elstree Studios has been really successful and has allowed us to make fantastic use of the technologies we redeployed from Television Centre whilst it is being redeveloped.

“Customer feedback and demand at Elstree has been strong. We’ve hosted some of the BBC’s biggest shows here, like Strictly Come Dancing and The Voice as well as other prime time shows like Pointless, Channel 4’s Fifteen to One and ITV’s The Chase. We’re looking forward to continuing to enhance the customer experience at Elstree.”

Elstree Studios managing director Roger Morris added: “This is the ideal partnership - combining the world famous Elstree Studios with the state of the art television technical production facilities and expertise of world renowned BBC Studios and Post Production.

“Now producers can use first class television studios at Elstree Studios. As testament to the success of the venture one only has to look at the range of television shows that have been produced using these new TV facilities and we have been very impressed by the BBC Studios and Post Production team.”

Since its relocation, BBC S&PP has delivered over 45 programmes from the Elstree sites.