UKTV new production facility
June 1, 2015
UKTV will launch its new production studios at its London headquarters next month. The facility will create 12 new job roles, forming an expanded team of 28 creatives and production staff, who will produce over 2,500 promos and 700 pieces of navigational content a year for the network.
Previously UKTV had outsourced this work, but as part of the broadcaster’s ambitious growth strategy, it has now invested in building its own production centre. The move follows the release of the company’s standout 2014 financial results last month, which reported record ratings and profit following huge investment in making original programmes.
UKTV worked with one of Europe’s most acclaimed interior design and architecture studios, PENSON, to create the facility, with construction managed by NWA. It will feature advanced desktop editing and design facilities, online suites, sound suites, voiceover booths, a soundproofed green screen studio, luxury 30 seat screening room, fully functional kitchen studio for filming and a hospitality area with bar.
UKTV’s CEO Darren Childs said, “UKTV is celebrating incredible growth, attracting 42 million viewers every month by investing over £123m (€171m) in compelling content. This is a company committed to innovation and the future of television, and now is the right time in UKTV’s evolution to expand our fantastically talented creative team and bring it in-house. These new studios provide a flexible work and entertainment space, allowing us to supercharge our creativity and expand our expertise.”
The facility makes imaginative use of the mezzanine floor at UKTV’s headquarters at 10 Hammersmith Grove. The space has been transformed from an empty shell (see picture) into an elegant, captivating and unique workspace full of colour and character. As visitors step out of the lift, the art-inspired high-gloss blue floor reflects like water, designed to contrast the clean white walls and maximise light and depth to the room without the use of windows. Dramatic curves in the walls create a sense of free-flowing creative space.