City beat rivals all across UK to win TV victory
Greater opportunities await Northern talent
WHEN THE bid to bring Channel 4 to Leeds began in April, the city was throwing its hat in the ring with the 30 other suitors.
However, following a rigorous selection process, Leeds has now been named as the new home for Channel 4, with the added bonus of a new broadcasting hub bringing a television presence to the city not seen since the heady days of Yorkshire Television.
The headline figures were celebrated throughout the city. With 300 new jobs, and many more in the supply chain set to come to Leeds, there is a clear economic benefit.
But, for some of those behind the bid process, the benefit for Leeds goes far deeper than simply money.
Sally Joynson, the chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, told The
Yorkshire Post: “There has been a lot of talk about the challenges of having media consistently consolidated on the west side of the UK. To not have a significant national broadcasting presence on the east side has not helped growth. But now we have got Channel 4 with us and that is just such a catalyst for future growth.
“Now it is about working with Channel 4 and the specifics of the bid to try and deliver on this but fundamentally it is about jobs, economic impact, cultural benefit and representation on screen and opportunities for the fantastic diverse talent that is on offer in Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and across the whole of Yorkshire.”
Andrew Sheldon, the creative director with True North, who has worked with Channel 4 as part of his role, said the impact would be keenly felt by future generations. “A big organisation like Channel 4 makes a massive difference,” he said.
“As an industry it is dominated by white middle class people. I think as a result of this in 10, 15 and 20 years there will be kids from Leeds who get a chance to get into the television industry who would not otherwise have had the opportunity.
“Television is an industry that runs on six-week contracts. If you are from a working class background and don’t have parents who provide support, you will have no chance of ever getting going in that industry.
“But having this kind of opportunity and the companies that will sit around that, means that they can build a career in Leeds without having to move to London.”
The first-round pitch process was launched in April, with more than 30 submissions entered. The second stage process involved Channel 4 visiting each of the 13 short-listed cities and regions for a presentation and discussion before they were whittled down to the final six.
In the end, Channel 4’s board backed Leeds unanimously.
Matthew Howarth, a partner and Leeds office head at the national law firm, Shoosmiths, said the news represented “a coming of age for our creative industries sector”, while Henri Murison, the director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “This needs to be just the start – more organisations and bodies, not just those in the media, need to make the move up here.”
Coun Susan Hinchliffe, the leader of Bradford City Council which backed the bid from the outset, added: “This was a good example of what collaboration can do for the whole region.”
They can build a career in Leeds without having to move to London. Andrew Sheldon, the creative director with True North.