BBC Four’s programmes to celebrate northern culture

BBC is planning to move to the new North headquarters in Salford next year, but before that it is la

By New Statesman [1] Published 12 February 2010

BBC is planning to move to the new North headquarters in Salford next year, but before that it is la

The new MediaCityUK complex is due to open in April 2011. It will see increased production and operational job opportunities in the north. Some BBC departments transferring to the location include BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sport and the children's programming division.

The Corporation is hopeful that its relocation will help challenge claims that it is too London-centric. Addressing an audience of students and academics at Teesside University in Middlesbrough, the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, said that the Corporation must "live and breathe the North".

He said hundreds of jobs will become available through a new BBC North jobs website. Between 300 and 400 vacancies in the north are expected to be created over the next two years.

The BBC has devoted the new season of programmes, tentatively called "The Great Northern," to celebrating the culture, history, life and architecture of northern cities.