BBC Studios and Post Production (BBC S&PP) is to begin taking studio bookings for the revamped Television Centre (TVC) from this summer.

Last week, BBC S&PP held an open evening for its clients to drum up interest in the refurbished site. The BBC S&PP-operated parts of TVC, including three studios and a post-production operation, are due to re-open in spring next year.

Most of the building work at the BBC S&PP-operated parts of TVC has been completed but the bulk of the technical fit out of the site remains to be done.

BBC S&PP said it was monitoring advances in IP and UHD but that no decision about equipment had yet been made. It expects to finalise the technical specification of its post and studio set-up at TVC “nearer to 2017”.

BBC S&PP rebrand

The wholly-owned subsidiary of the BBC also revealed that it is to rebrand in April to “reinvigorate” its brand ahead of its return to TVC.   

The new identity for BBC S&PP, which is yet to be unveiled, will also help to avoid confusion with the broadcaster’s commercialisation of its in-house production divison which has been dubbed ‘BBC Studios’.

The BBC, including its subsidiary BBC S&PP, moved out of TVC in 2013 after the west London site was acquired by property developer Stanhope.

Shows that were based at TVC such as Later…With Jools Holland and Strictly Come Dancing have relocated to other facilities during the building work, with former now based at Maidstone Television Studios and the latter at Elstree Studios.

The studios at TVC to be managed by BBC S&PP are: TC1, which is 10,250 sq ft; TC2, which offers 3,500 sq ft of space and TC3 which is 8,000 sq ft.

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