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Pledge to increase network production as ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's state-of-the-art broadcasting centre opens
A number of network programme titles are expected to be relaunched in Scotland as part of the drive to increase the level of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's network production.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Director-General Mark Thompson disclosed the relaunch proposals as ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's state-of-the-art broadcasting centre at Pacific Quay was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP.
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The Director-General said the expected relaunch of the titles would be part of a process to raise network deliveries from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland to at least its proportion of the UK population.
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Thompson said: "We're already committed to raising network deliveries from the nations to at least 17% of relevant output as part of our wider strategy of shifting the weight of our operations and our investment out of London and the South East of England and towards audiences and talent in the other nations and regions.
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"Network deliveries from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland not only can but must grow to at least its proportion of the UK population though I regard that as a floor rather than any kind of ceiling.
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"To do that, we expect to relaunch a number of existing programmes titles here in Pacific Quay.
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"We also want to commission many more fresh ideas from Scottish programme-makers – both from our brilliant in-house teams and from the burgeoning Scottish indie sector.
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"More Scottish-based drama, more network comedy hits like Still Game, more entertainment, children's programmes and finally more specialist factual, particularly building on the excellence in the arts genre.
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"We want to use the outstanding HD and digital production facilities here to make output we can show to audiences across the UK and the world. And we want to boost network radio and multimedia production from here too."
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Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said: "I believe this is a great day for the regeneration of Glasgow, a great day for the future of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and it's a great day for Scottish and British broadcasting and communications and our reputation around the world.
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"I believe that this building will become a design classic that reflects the heritage of this country.
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"But most of all we can applaud here in Glasgow today, the UK's most advanced broadcast studios and production facilities, the biggest TV recording space ever built in Scotland, the first High Definition facility of its kind in the European Union, one of the world's leading digital centres and I am very proud that this is happening here in Glasgow."
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The new ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland headquarters marks the beginning of a new era for the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and broadcasting in Scotland.
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The 34,000sq m digital centre is setting a new standard in terms of state-of-the-art technology, production methods and public access and will play a central role in the regeneration of the wider urban area.
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Pacific Quay's world class technology means ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland is the first broadcaster to move away from using tapes to a digital file-based system that is fully integrated across all delivery channels – TV, radio and online.
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The new centre also features the UK's most advanced broadcast studios and production facilities. The main studio, Studio A, is the biggest TV recording space ever built in Scotland and the second largest TV studio in Britain. It encloses a staggering 790m² (8500ft²) and will have a hi-tech hover pad audience seating system which can be towed in and out of the studio when required.
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Also capable of hosting 320 people seated, it will be the first High Definition facility of its kind in Europe.
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Lead architect for the new centre was David Chipperfield Architects and Graven Images, the Glasgow-based consultancy, created the interior designs.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland Press Office
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