GREEN LIGHT FOR 3SIXTYMEDIA

BBC Resources have been given government permission to set up a joint production facilities, 3sixtymedia, venture with Granada Media in Manchester.
Chris Smith, Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has agreed that BBC Resources can create a new company with Granada Media which will supply production facilities in Manchester to programme makers.
The proposal has been examined by the Department of Trade & Industry in order to assess their potential consequences for fair trading in the North West. The decision that the proposal was not to be referred to the Competition Commission was made public on January 9 and has been promptly by the DCMS’s permission.
Chief Executive of BBC Resources, Margaret Salmon, said: “I am extremely pleased that we are now looking to have 3sixtymedia open for business this spring. The joint planning work we and Granada Media have done during the past five months has confirmed that a strong market exists for high quality, competitive production facilities in the North West. I am certain 3sixtymedia will contribute significantly to developing the region as a vibrant programme making centre.”
3sixtymedia expects to open for business in March and will be providing studio, post-production and graphic design support to programme makers and companies throughout the North West. Around 400 staff from BBC Resources and Granada Media will transfer into the new company.
Mike Taylor will become Managing Director, and Granada Television’s Managing Director, Brenda Smith, will become Chief Executive of the new company. (CD)