After eleven years in its current home, BBC Breakfast is the last of BBC One’s main news programmes to get a refresh as it moves home.
From Monday (26th), BBC Breakfast is moving to a new studio at Salford Quays, which it will share with BBC Sport.
The BBC says the new space features some of the “latest broadcasting technology”. This includes high-tech graphics, three additional cameras and the iconic red sofa.
- The new multi-purpose studio was built on the site of the old BBC Sports Centre, from where BBC Breakfast was broadcast during the Rio 2016 Olympics.
- To allow the work to take place, BBC Sport decamped to an alternative location at BBC Salford.
- The desk and sofa in the new studio can rotate, so it’s possible to have a real newsroom backdrop instead of the screen.
- After Breakfast has finished, sports news bulletins on the BBC News Channel, including Sportsday, will come from the studio.
- There’s been recent reports that BBC bosses have been considering moving BBC News at One to Salford.
It’s part of the BBC’s stategy to create multi-purpose studios that can accomodate different programmes and thus be used throughout the day rather than just for one programme.
BBC Breakfast moved to Salford over a decade ago. Since then it has used a studio that was originally designed as office space. As a result, the ceiling was much lower than in a traditional TV studio. Its space resulted in awkward angles, notably when any of the presenters turned to one of the screens to interview a guest.
Regional news programme stays in old Breakfast studio
BBC Breakfast previously shared the old studio with North West Today/Tonight. The regional news programme, which remains in the old studio, is due to receive its own refresh to bring it in line with other regional news shows in England.
Corporate comment
Helen Brown, Senior News Editor for Sport, said:
“The new studio is a brilliant update that will completely elevate and revolutionise our output. Sportsday showcases the BBC’s original journalism, live action, talking points and human interest stories and is one of the best performing programmes on any news channel in the UK.”
Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent said:
“The new studio is a wonderful addition to BBC Breakfast, and I can’t wait to host the first live morning show on 26 June. We have recently celebrated our 40th anniversary and this is a great gift to mark the occasion.”