Category: Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ;
West
Midlands TV; Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ
WM; Asian
Network
Date: 10.09.2004
Printable version
Speaking
to an audience of 300 invited guests at The Mailbox on the Birmingham
canalside, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Director-General Mark Thompson spoke today of the significance
of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's move to the centre.
"The 21st century Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ needs to get out more. We need to get out
of London, out of the leafy suburbs, and into the heart of the communities
we're here to serve," he said.
Ìý
"We want people to come and see what we're doing,
to experience the excitement of live broadcasting.
"For the first time, people can do just that here in Birmingham
at The Mailbox amongst the cafes, restaurants and shops.
Ìý
"You can come in, have a coffee, browse the internet
and watch programmes like Radio WM, Midlands Today and The Archers being
made.
Ìý
"The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's centre of gravity
is shifting. The regions of the UK and great cities such as Birmingham
are central to our vision of a new Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ - a Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ which is far more representative
of the people it serves around the country.
"In the end, the Mailbox is just a building. What is more important
is the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's strengthened commitment to invest in production talent
and local and national programme making here in Birmingham.
Ìý
"This is certainly important for the local creative
economy but, more than that, is about making sure that the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ is a
truly national broadcaster, bringing the diversity of modern Britain
to life for our viewers and listeners everywhere."
The Mailbox was officially opened yesterday (Thursday 9 September) by
HRH The Princess Royal who unveiled a commemorative glass plaque in
the building before a private tour of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's new state-of-the-art
broadcasting and production facilities in The Mailbox.
