View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
November 6, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Meridian staff await studio decision

By Press Gazette

Charlton: announcement soon

Meridian Television will make an announcement to staff about the future of its Maidstone studios next week, managing director Lindsay Charlton has told Press Gazette.

Meridian owner Granada last week submitted a last-minute bid to the Independent Television Commission seeking approval for its proposals.

The broadcaster said its plans would involve transferring part of the operations from Maidstone, rather than complete closure.

There is speculation that much of the Maidstone operations will be moved to a news centre near Southampton that would serve areas once covered by the Maidstone, Southampton and Newbury studios.

But the ITC was not approached by Granada until after details of a possible closure of the New Hythe studios were leaked (Press Gazette, 9 October 2003).

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The ITC must be consulted by broadcasters about changes to news operations that would effectively alter the terms of their licence.

Sarah Thane, ITC director of programmes, wrote to local MP Derek Wyatt after the leak confirming that “the ITC knew nothing of this plan, before the leak”, despite Meridian being aware that it would require regulatory approval.

Wyatt told Press Gazette he had “moved quickly” by raising the possible closure of the studios at Maidstone with the Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport.

The committee will examine the Granada-Carlton merger and the implications for news operations in a public meeting on 9 December.

“I think Granada claimed that they’re going to modernise to the tune of £3m the whole collating of news – we’ll let’s see if that’s true,” Wyatt said.

Lewes MP Norman Baker also criticised proposals by Meridian TV to cut back local news expenditure, reducing the Maidstone staff and relocating operations to outside of the region it served.

By Wale Azeez

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network