110-458: Television Centre ( TVC ), formerly known as BBC Television Centre , is a building complex in White City , West London , which was the headquarters of BBC Television from 1960 to 2013, when BBC Television moved to Broadcasting House . After a refurbishment, the complex reopened in 2017 with three studios in use for TV production, operated by BBC Studioworks . The first BBC staff moved into
220-604: A European Gas Turbines (EGT) 4.9MWe Typhoon gas turbine combined heating, power and cooling unit. It included a 6MW Thermax air conditioning (cooling) vapour absorption machine (VAM). The £6m HVAC system reduced energy costs by 35%, and paid for itself within three years. A second turbine was added, without a second chimney. However, in 2008 the BBC admitted that the energy system was being used for emergency purposes only as it had become cost-ineffective to use full-time. Excess electricity produced at night has not been returned to
330-458: A control room for the music studio originally located in Studio 0. Studio 12 was converted into an ad-hoc studio in 2004 for CBBC programmes. It was also used for Sportsround for some years, but was eventually converted into a presentation studio in 2006. It was used for in-vision continuity for CBBC and changed into an in-vision continuity studio in summer 2007. The set was transferred to
440-625: A central circular block (officially known as the Main Block, but often referred to by staff as the "doughnut") around which were studios, offices, engineering areas and the News Centre. In the centre of the main block was a statue designed by T. B. Huxley-Jones of Helios , the Greek god of the sun, to symbolise the radiation of television around the world. At the foot of the statue were two reclining figures, symbolising sound and vision ,
550-405: A joint venture, Television Centre Developments, to manage the redevelopment of the 14-acre site. Only three of the eight production studios were earmarked for continued use by the BBC, with the rest being demolished for flats, and it was argued that this would leave insufficient facilities in the capital for independent television production, and a Save Television Centre Studios website and petition
660-404: A major decentralisation of BBC departments from London and a key investment in the north of England where BBC spending in the region had previously been low. The department moved into Quay House, MediaCityUK gradually in late 2011 and early 2012 with the first Sports bulletins being broadcast from the new BBC Sport Centre on 5 March 2012. In 2017, BBC Sport launched a new on-air identity, becoming
770-611: A mini studio in the East Tower. It was used by BBC Research . 65 square metres (704 ft) Opened in 1960, designed for in-vision continuity for BBC 1 , but was used as such for only three years. Became weather studio prior to the move to the BBC Weather Centre in 1990 (also in Television Centre), following which it was used by Children's BBC to supplement presentation from the 'Broom Cupboard', and
880-646: A number of extensions, the BBC had to seek accommodation elsewhere, such as the nearby BBC White City complex comprising White City One, a 25,000 square metre office building, and the adjacent Broadcast and Media Centres. The development of the Westfield shopping centre nearby led to a sharp rise in property prices and placed the Television Centre under threat. In February 2008, with an amendment in November, English Heritage requested listed status for
990-534: A premature end by the outbreak of the First World War. During this period it was known as the Great White City because of the white marble cladding used on the exhibition pavilions, and hence gave its name to this part of Shepherd's Bush . Apartments blocks for lower income residents were constructed in the 1930s. White City Stadium , in the northern section of the district, also known as
1100-517: A range of broadcasters. Notable productions hosted at the centre prior to 2013 include Strictly Come Dancing , Harry Hill's TV Burp , Match of the Day , Later... with Jools Holland , Miranda , The Alan Titchmarsh Show , The Armstrong & Miller Show , 8 Out of 10 Cats as well as big complex live productions such as Children in Need and Comic Relief . Classic BBC productions hosted at
1210-466: A skeleton crew. Eventually many programmes returned, from different locations: Newsnight was presented from the main news studio with intermittent technical problems. The issues were attributed to a failing substation in Shepherd's Bush. Normal services resumed the following day. White City, London White City is a district of London , England, in the northern part of Shepherd's Bush in
SECTION 10
#17327717760151320-717: Is a full scale disposal of BBC Television Centre and we won't be leasing it back". The corporation officially put Television Centre on the property market in June 2011. BBC Sport and BBC Children's moved to dock10 , MediaCityUK in Salford Quays in 2012, with Children's Learning, Radio 5 Live and part of BBC Future Media & Technology. The move saw up to 1,500 posts at TV Centre and 700 posts at New Broadcasting House relocate to Salford Quays. BBC Breakfast , part of BBC News, moved to Salford in April 2012. On 16 July 2012,
1430-615: Is broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra however coverage is also broadcast on BBC Radio 4 's longwave frequencies, BBC Local Radio and the BBC World Service . Highlights are also reported on the BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 news bulletins. Although cricket is not covered on television, the sport is fully covered by the BBC on its radio platforms, primarily BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra but also on Local Radio and BBC Radio 4 Longwave. This commentary
1540-481: Is led by the BBC's tennis correspondent, Russell Fuller , along with Gigi Salmon, David Law, Naomi Cavaday , Jonathan Overend , Iain Carter, Alison Mitchell and Sara Orchard. For other grand slam tournaments, Russell Fuller, David Law and Gigi Salmon are the commentators. For the select few ATP Tour Masters 1000 events that BBC Radio cover, Russell Fuller is usually the sole commentator. The BBC holds joint rights to
1650-582: Is presented by Dan Walker alongside Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell . Both the live coverage and highlights use coverage and commentators from American TV. The BBC previously held the rights to live coverage, highlights (primarily broadcast on its web site) and live radio coverage of the NFL from 2007 to 2013 . Jake Humphrey presented their play-off highlights show for the first 2 years with Matt Roberts taking over duties in 2010. The studio pundits included Mike Carlson , Rod Woodson and Jerry Rice . Since 2012,
1760-689: Is repeated and expanded on the BBC Sports website and on the BBC Red Button , overlaid with live scorecards. While television coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games was held by Channel 4 , the BBC retained the radio rights to the event and plans to broadcast events on radio stations BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. BBC Radio 5 Live and its sister station BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra continue to cover Formula One World Championship as of 2023 season . Horse racing coverage on
1870-463: Is said to include one of the largest live newsrooms in the world. The final news broadcasts from Television Centre took place on 18 March 2013, when the BBC News channel and remaining news output completed the move to Broadcasting House. This was one of the final live broadcasts from the building. A 90-minute documentary titled Tales of Television Centre was broadcast on BBC Four in 2012 ahead of
1980-638: Is the WTA AEGON International event from Eastbourne . Both events are primarily shown on BBC Two. The BBC holds rights to show daily TV highlights from the Australian Open. Coverage is presented by Sue Barker with commentary from Andrew Castle and John Lloyd. The BBC has exclusive free to air TV rights for 8 singles matches from the ATP World Tour Finals which includes the semi-final and the final. The BBC covered
2090-477: The 2001 BBC bombing . The bomb went off on Wood Lane, in front of the Television Centre news building. In October 2007, BBC announced plans to sell Television Centre as part of a cost-cutting programme. In June 2008, English Heritage announced its recommendation to list parts of Television Centre as a grade II listed building. In July 2012, BBC sold Television Centre to a partnership consisting of Stanhope plc , Mitsui Fudosan and AIMCo for £200 million. It
2200-525: The BBC Sport website and through the BBC Red Button interactive television service. The BBC has broadcast sport for several decades under individual programme names and coverage titles. Grandstand was one of the more notable sport programmes, broadcasting sport for almost 50 years. The BBC first began to brand sport coverage as 'BBC Sport' in 1988 for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul , by introducing
2310-611: The English team. Gabby Logan leads the BBC's rugby coverage. Martin Johnson , Sam Warburton , Jonathan Davies , John Barclay , Jamie Heaslip , Andy Nicol , Chris Paterson and Thomas Castaignède are the main pundits and co-commentators. The BBC's main commentator is Andrew Cotter . Sonja McLaughlan and Lee McKenzie are the reporters. The BBC shows live coverage of the Challenge Cup including both semi-finals and
SECTION 20
#17327717760152420-664: The European Athletics Championships , domestic British athletics and mass-participation events such as the London Marathon and the Great North Run . The BBC has the rights to show coverage of each Diamond League meeting on the red button, with the two British rounds and final two meetings live on BBC Two and selected meetings on BBC Three. Gabby Logan is the main host of the athletics coverage with, Michael Johnson and Denise Lewis
2530-528: The FA Cup and will do so until 2026. On 30 June 2017 it was announced that live cricket would be returning to BBC TV for the first time in 21 years. The BBC regained rights to highlights of all England's home Tests, ODIs and T20Is. They also have live broadcasts of two home T20 matches per season, plus 10 matches from The Hundred . Coverage also includes England Women for whom they will broadcast one home T20 and 8 matches from The Hundred. Today At The Test ,
2640-576: The Irish Derby , which had been included in Grandstand and later Sunday Grandstand for decades, was only shown on At the Races . The Grand National used to be one of the biggest attractions on Grandstand with audiences around or often in excess of 10 million for the race on a Saturday afternoon. Coverage of other events such as Royal Ascot and The Derby were also broadcast. The Derby
2750-508: The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham , 5 miles (8 km) west-northwest of Charing Cross . White City is home to Television Centre , White City Place , Westfield London and Loftus Road , the home stadium of Queens Park Rangers F.C. The district got its name from the white marble cladding used on buildings during several exhibitions when the area was first developed, between 1908 and 1914. The area now called White City
2860-848: The Masters , and the UK Championship are shown annually on BBC Two. The BBC also broadcasts the Welsh Open snooker tournament, which is available to watch on BBC Two Wales or via the BBC Red Button service. Snooker coverage is regularly hosted by Hazel Irvine , Jason Mohammad or Seema Jaswal . Pundits and commentators on the coverage include Steve Davis , John Parrott , Stephen Hendry , Ken Doherty , Alan McManus , John Virgo , Dennis Taylor and Joe Perry . The World Championships have featured guest commentators such as Judd Trump , Jack Lisowski , Mark Allen, Peter Ebdon and Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson. Rob Walker appears in
2970-523: The National Grid , as originally planned. In November 2003, the turbine's chimneys caught fire, bringing TV output to a halt. After the fire the turbines were no longer used regularly. On 4 March 2001, a bomb placed outside the news centre exploded, with no fatalities. It was attributed to the Real IRA and the culprits were eventually caught. The front of the building suffered moderate damage, but
3080-589: The PGA Championship live. Until 2015, the BBC's coverage of The Open Championships was extensive with coverage broadcast live and uninterrupted on BBC Two between 9 am and 8 pm on Thursday and Friday and on BBC One on Saturday and Sunday. Since 2016, Sky Sports has exclusive UK rights to The Open with the BBC showing a two-hour highlights programme every night. The BBC also shows highlights of two other European Tour events held in Britain -
3190-641: The Six Nations championship in the UK with ITV Sport until 2025. The BBC will show all Scotland and Wales home matches live either on BBC One or BBC Two . Coverage of these games is complemented by an interactive service on BBC Red Button and Radio commentary on all matches. The BBC held the live rights to the Autumn Internationals for the Scottish and Welsh sides as well as highlights of
3300-601: The World Club Challenge , beating Channel 4 . It will show this coverage for the next three seasons. The BBC holds the exclusive terrestrial rights to show Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games and has shown live coverage of every Summer Olympics since 1960 . For the 2012 Olympics in London the BBC had three stations showing live coverage of the games. BBC One showed main coverage, BBC Three with special extended coverage and BBC Two aired when BBC One
3410-582: The World Indoor Bowls Championships . Currently this is presented by Persad with commentary by David Corkill and analysis from current players such as Greg Harlow and Andy Thompson . Former bowls presenters include David Icke and Dougie Donnelly. BBC Sport had monopolised the sports commentary market on British radio since the BBC's conception but since 2000, has lost coverage of some sporting events to competitors including TalkSPORT . The majority of BBC Sport's radio coverage
Television Centre, London - Misplaced Pages Continue
3520-465: The 1990s to 2004. BBC Sport also holds the rights to the Invictus Games which is presented by Clare Balding, Ade Adepitan, Johnathan Edwards. The BBC also has rights to highlights of Equestrianism from Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials . The coverage is hosted by Clare Balding and if she is unavailable Rishi Persad hosts with commentary by Mike Tucker. The BBC also shows
3630-400: The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup , 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup . These were hosted by Sonali Shah , Rishi Persad and Manish Bhasin . They also had highlights of the 2006–07 Ashes Series with Manish Bhasin. The BBC took the world feed for these tournaments which all broadcasters take including Sky Sports and this comprises commentators from broadcasters all over
3740-572: The 2012 London Olympics. Live coverage was shown from 9.00 am to 10.30 pm on BBC One with coverage switching to BBC Two during news bulletins (1.00 pm to 1.45 pm, 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm and 10.00 pm to 10.30 pm). BBC Three broadcast alternative coverage from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. The BBC covers events such as the Commonwealth Games , the World Athletics Championships ,
3850-571: The BBC News Centre. BBC News moved out of Stage 6 in 2013 to the new BBC News Centre at New Broadcasting House in Central London. After redevelopment, Stage 6 became the new home to the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC Studios . There was no N7, to avoid confusion with TC7 , which housed 'big' news programmes such as BBC Breakfast , Working Lunch , and Newsnight . In February 1996, the electricity and heating were transferred to
3960-431: The BBC agreed to sell the site to Stanhope for £200 million. The building closed on 31 March 2013 and was redeveloped to include flats, office space, a cinema and hotels. Studios 1, 2 and 3 along with part of the basement and offices have been refurbished and leased back to the BBC on a 15-year lease. The original schedule would have seen Studios 1, 2, & 3 back in production by Autumn of 2014 however on 17 July 2014
4070-518: The BBC aired live weekly radio coverage of the NFL on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and air the Super Bowl on BBC TV and BBC Radio 5 Live in 2012 but Jake Humphrey stepped down and was replaced by Mark Chapman. For the 2012–13 season, the BBC broadcast Monday Night Football on the iPlayer and via BBC HD (commencing with the Giants at Redskins game on 4 December 2012; prior to this the broadcast
4180-473: The BBC announced that due to the extensive building work, programme production would not recommence at Television Centre until 2017 when much of the demolition and groundwork has been completed. The BBC's commercial business, BBC Studios , will lease back Stage 6 as office space which is the part formerly occupied by BBC News. All BBC News, national radio and BBC World Service broadcasts were relocated to Broadcasting House between July 2012 and March 2013, which
4290-709: The BBC announced that the NFL would return to its screens in an initial 2-year deal that includes the rights to show the NFL London Games live with at least one match being exclusively live. The BBC also show weekly highlights and magazine shows, which started in November 2015. The deal included live television, radio and online rights to screen the Super Bowl alongside Sky Sports. The London Games were presented by Nat Coombs , Mike Carlson and Osi Umenyiora with Ore Oduba as sideline reporter. The BBC highlights show
4400-905: The BBC broadcast all Centre Court matches from the 2018 Wimbledon Championships in 4K UHD via iPlayer. For the most recent tournament in 2021, the commentators included, Chris Bradnam, James Burridge, Andrew Castle , Matt Chilton , Andrew Cotter , Katherine Downes, Paul Hand , John Inverdale , David Law , Nick Lester, Dan Lobb , Alison Mitchell , Ronald McIntosh, Nick Mullins , Pete Odgers, Mark Petchey , Simon Reed, Sam Smith and Andy Stevenson. Co-commentators included, Tracy Austin, Marion Bartoli , Boris Becker, Pat Cash, Annabel Croft , Colin Fleming , Peter Fleming , Tim Henman, Anne Keothavong , John Lloyd , Miles Maclagan , John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Arvind Parmar , Louise Pleming , Chanda Rubin , Liz Smylie and Mel South . Lee McKenzie , Rishi Persad , John Inverdale and Simon Mundie were
4510-663: The BBC had declined in recent years and finished altogether at the end of 2012 when Channel 4 won the rights to the Grand National, Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby. The BBC had lost many tracks over the years such as the Cheltenham Festival and other Cheltenham meetings went to Channel 4 in 1995, meetings from Newbury moved to Channel 4 in 2002 and after 50 years Glorious Goodwood and other Goodwood meetings were lost to Channel 4 in 2007. Also, in 2007
Television Centre, London - Misplaced Pages Continue
4620-524: The BBC's Westminster studios and simulcasting with BBC World (marking a rare occurrence where BBC World was broadcast to UK viewers). The Six O'Clock News suffered severe lighting problems and had to be cancelled halfway through, and the BBC's backup generator caught fire. Troubles were experienced in the South East region, as Newsroom South East started later than planned. The fire alarms went off at Television Centre later that day, leaving only
4730-611: The BBC's promise in 2007 that the sale of TVC was a "full-scale disposal" and that it would not be leasing back any part of the building. Demolition work began in February 2015. As of April 2016, only Studios TC1, TC2 and TC3 remained – the other studios TC4, TC5, TC6, TC7 and TC8 had all been demolished. The statue of Helios, the Greek God of Sun, had been removed for renovation before it returned later in 2016; developer Stanhope and construction manager Mace had carefully removed
4840-409: The BBC's test cricket highlights programme is presented by Isa Guha alongside commentators, Michael Vaughan , Phil Tufnell , Ebony Rainford-Brent , Mark Ramprakash and James Anderson . Jonathan Agnew and Alison Mitchell also contributed to commentary as well as, presenter, Isa Guha. Regularly, a guest co-commentator will join the team from the touring side. On 30 August 2020, the BBC broadcast
4950-686: The BMW PGA Championship and the Scottish Open . It also covers the Women's British Open . Eilidh Barbour is the lead presenter with commentary from, Andrew Cotter , Ken Brown , Paul Azinger , Maureen Madill and Wayne Grady . Rishi Persad is the reporter. The BBC also shows highlights of the Ryder Cup and has done so since 1997. The corporation had held the live rights from 1981 until 1993. The BBC Two programme Pot Black
5060-560: The Boat Race from ITV Sport who pulled out of coverage after the 2009 event. A five-year contract was signed by BBC Sport to cover the event from 2010 after last covering the 2004 race. Clare Balding hosts this and commentary came from Andrew Cotter from 2010 to 2011, 2013–present and from Jonathan Legard in 2012. The race is also broadcast on BBC World News . Former presenters for this were Harry Carpenter who also commentated and Steve Rider while Barry Davies also commentated on this from
5170-785: The Central Line and Wood Lane on the Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines. On Friday 1 April 1949, Norman Collins , the Controller of the BBC Television Service, announced at the Television Society 's annual dinner at The Waldorf Hilton, London that a new TV centre would be built in Shepherd's Bush . London broadcasts at the time came from Alexandra Palace and Lime Grove Studios (from 1949). It
5280-747: The Central Ring of the building and Studio 1, noting in particular the John Piper mosaic, central drum with its mosaic tiles, the Huxley-Jones gilded statue of Helios, full-height glazing of the stair and original clock in the Central Ring, received Grade II listed status from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport . The 'atomic dots' and name of Studio 1, and the cantilevered porch on its exterior were noted as important architectural features of that building. The department did not consider
5390-470: The Games to the BBC in 2022 and 2024. The deal is intended to maintain the BBC's tradition of Olympic broadcasting, although the BBC's coverage will be reduced as a result; the BBC and Discovery have had a historic relationship in regards to co-production of factual and nature programming. The BBC showed the 2014 Commonwealth Games with more coverage than ever before. Coverage was similar to their coverage of
5500-496: The Great Stadium and seating 66,000, was officially opened by King Edward VII on 27 April 1908 for the 1908 Summer Olympics . The starting point of the marathon race at the 1908 Summer Olympics was at Windsor Castle creating a distance of 42.195 km (26.219 mi) or 26 miles 385 yards to the finishing line at White City stadium. In 1921, this was adopted as the standard distance for marathon races; previously
5610-1325: The Premier League on Match of the Day which has been hosted by Gary Lineker since 1999. Match of the Day 2 and Match of the Day 2 Extra , are presented by Mark Chapman . Alex Scott hosts Football Focus every Saturday lunchtime before Jason Mohammad presents Final Score every Saturday afternoon. Pundits for Match of the Day as well as co-commentators include Alan Shearer , Robbie Savage , Chris Sutton , Don Hutchison , Mark Lawrenson , Danny Murphy , Kevin Kilbane , Jermaine Jenas , Martin Keown , Stephen Warnock , Rio Ferdinand , Matthew Upson , Alex Scott , Faye White , Sue Smith , Lucy Ward , Chris Waddle , Cese Fabregas , Ian Wright and Tony Pulis while commentators include Guy Mowbray , Steve Wilson , Jonathan Pearce , Simon Brotherton , Steve Bower , Dave Woods , Vicki Sparks , Jacqui Oatley , Alistair Mann , Conor McNamara , Dan O'Hagan , Mark Tompkins, Martin Fisher, Gary Bloom, John Roder, Mark Scott, Chris Wise, Robyn Cowen , Tom Gayle, Steven Wyeth and Pien Muelensteen. The BBC also broadcasts live coverage of
SECTION 50
#17327717760155720-527: The Red Button, or Online via the BBC Sport website. Highlights are also shown on the long-running Today at Wimbledon , presented by Clare Balding , who replaced John Inverdale in 2015. The same year, the programme was renamed "Wimbledon 2day", with a new lighthearted magazine format, but after only one year, the format was abandoned for 2016. Following the trial which commenced with 2018 World Cup ,
5830-749: The Riverside Studios in Hammersmith and the Shepherd's Bush Empire for television production spaces and studio use; many of these facilities were still being used by the corporation decades later. Work resumed in 1953 on the TVC scenery block (Stage 1) and work began in 1954 on the canteen block (Stage 2), which doubled as a rehearsal space. Work on Stage 3, the central circular office block and studios, began in March 1955 on studios TC4, 5 and 2. The shells of studios TC1, TC6 and TC7 were constructed around
5940-427: The Scenery Block in 1953, and the centre was officially opened on 29 June 1960. It is one of the most readily recognisable facilities of its type, having appeared as the backdrop for many BBC programmes. Parts of the building are Grade II listed , including the central ring and Studio 1. Most of the BBC's national television and radio news output came from Television Centre, and in later years most recorded television
6050-661: The TV rights with Sky Sports for the Netball World Cup in Liverpool. Following the success of the Vitality England Roses Squad at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, the BBC's coverage of the sport has increased. As well as all of this, the BBC broadcasts winter sports, including the Alpine Skiing World Cup , under its Ski Sunday banner; and briefly covers sports such as road and track cycling , sailing , badminton , table tennis , squash , equestrianism , gymnastics and other minority sports. Presenters for these sports include Jill Douglas and Phil Jones who often report for other areas of BBC Sport. BBC Sport regained coverage of
6160-451: The air appeared to resemble a question mark in shape. The architect, Graham Dawbarn , (Norman & Dawbarn), drew a question mark on an envelope (now held by the BBC Written Archives Centre ) while thinking about the design of the building, and realised that it would be an ideal shape for the site. An article in The BBC Quarterly , July 1946, proposed a circular design, several years before Dawbarn drew up his plans. The building featured
6270-404: The building from 1956 to 1970 and was responsible for the creation of the original 'BBC Television Centre' lettering on the façade of Studio 1. The lettering was later used all over the building, even in tile work outside lift entrances. Demands from Broadcasting House meant that Hayes had less time than he had thought to design a decor for the façade, leading to him puncturing a scale foam model of
6380-464: The centre close to the sites of closed former London Underground stations: Imperial College London purchased the BBC Woodlands site for 28 million pounds in 2009 and demolished it the following year. Sections of this second major campus started opening in most notably an "innovation hub" for the college, including research facilities and commercialisation space, as well as postgraduate accommodation. The chemistry department moved much of its research to
6490-415: The closure and redevelopment of The London Studios . However, in October 2018, it was announced that ITV would not be returning to the South Bank, and it is thought that ITV Daytime programmes will continue to be broadcast from Television Centre. On 29 June 2020, Television Centre turned 60 years old and the Royal Television Society released a commemorative programme to celebrate. The overall design from
6600-420: The components of television. It was originally a fountain, but owing to the building's unique shape it was too noisy for the staff in the overlooking offices, and there were problems with water leakage into the videotape area which for a long time was directly beneath. Even though there was a foundation stone marked 'BBC 1956' in the basement of the main building, construction began in 1951. Arthur Hayes worked on
6710-421: The distance varied slightly. After the Olympics, the stadium continued to be used for athletics until 1914, and, in 1927, it was turned into a greyhound racing track, although it was also used for short periods by Queens Park Rangers football club, and for other sports. In 1931, a 440-yard running track was installed for the Amateur Athletic Association Championships, held there from 1932 to 1970. It also hosted
SECTION 60
#17327717760156820-404: The event originally between 2009 and 2011, followed by an extension for 2012 and 2013. This was extended again in 2013 through to 2015. It was extended again in 2016 for another 2 years before another deal was announced in 2017 and will run until 2020, with Sky Sports, showing one afternoon match per day including one semi-final and the final which are usually shown on BBC Two. BBC Radio covers
6930-418: The exhibitions. The estate is served by an Anglican church, St Michael and St George (1955) on Commonwealth Avenue. On 30 October 2008, Westfield London opened. In July 2015, terrorists tried to blow up the Westfield London but they were stopped by police. They wanted the bombing to be around the same day as the 10th anniversary of the 7 July 2005 London bombings . Two stations were built to serve
7040-405: The final, the Four Nations and the Rugby League World Cup . Coverage is hosted by Mark Chapman and Tanya Arnold with commentary from Dave Woods , Jonathan Davies and Brian Noble . The BBC's Super League Show shows weekly highlights of the Super League , Magic Weekend , Super 8's and the Grand Final . Also, for the first time, the BBC will show 12 Super League live, as well as
7150-477: The first BBC property to implement the broadcaster's new corporate typeface. The BBC shares the rights to the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship with ITV . A near equal split of group stage and knockout stage games are shown, including a semi-final and the final is shown on both networks. The BBC aired all its matches from the 2018 World Cup in 4K UHD and VR to a limited number of viewers subject to bandwidth. The BBC shows highlights of
7260-466: The four Grand Slam tournaments - the Australian Open , French Open , Wimbledon and US Open - on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra . For most recent Wimbledon tournament in 2021, Gigi Salmon and Tony Livesey hosted full coverage on Radio 5 Live, with expert analysis from Marion Bartoli, Pat Cash , Laura Robson , Leon Smith , Chanda Rubin, Annabel Croft, Miles Maclagan, Mark Woodforde and Jeff Tarango . The team of commentators
7370-452: The gilded bronze figure with heritage experts PAYE Conservation for repair and renovation. The Helios has stood in the rotunda at Television Centre since the former BBC headquarters opened in 1960. BBC Studioworks , the commercial subsidiary of the BBC operate and maintain Studios 1, 2 and 3 and the production facilities at Television Centre. The newly refurbished facilities officially opened on 1 September 2017. As of April 2017, bookings for
7480-409: The last single drama recorded was Henry IV, Part 1 , in 1995. The reason for the decline was because drama productions (except for soap operas) shifted almost entirely onto film or single-camera video, and Television Centre was a video-based, multi-camera production environment. Programmes recorded or transmitted included: 111 square metres (1,200 ft) Opened as N1 in September 1969, it
7590-403: The match between Uruguay and France during the 1966 FIFA World Cup . In 1934, the American rodeo promoter Tex Austin staged the World's Championship Rodeo at White City Stadium. Champion cowboys and cowgirls from Canada and the United States participated, including Pete Knight , Weldon Bascom, Clark Lund, Ted Elder, and Vera McGinnis . The world's most famous rodeo bucking horse, Midnight ,
7700-420: The move out. On 22 March 2013, BBC Four devoted its evening schedule to programmes commemorating Television Centre. At the heart of the evening was Goodbye Television Centre , a two-hour history presented by former BBC1 controller and BBC chairman Michael Grade . The last live programme broadcast was Madness Live: Goodbye Television Centre , shown that day on BBC Four. In March 2013, the BBC and Stanhope formed
7810-399: The new Molecular Sciences Research Hub on the campus in 2018, with further departments and industry partners moving to the campus and surrounding area over the coming years. The campus is also home to the Invention Rooms, a college hackerspace and community outreach centre. Schools in the area include Ark Burlington Danes Academy and Phoenix Academy BBC Sport BBC Sport is
7920-426: The other buildings, including all other studios, scenery block and canteen of sufficient special interest to warrant listing. Making the protection announcement, the architecture minister Barbara Follett noted that it was where Doctor Who , Fawlty Towers and Blue Peter were made: "It has been a torture chamber for politicians, and an endless source of first-class entertainment for the nation—sometimes both at
8030-491: The process of redeveloping the site into White City Place , which will provide 5,000+ new homes, 2 million square feet of commercial office space, 30 acres of public space, and 19,000 jobs. To house the growing population of Shepherd's Bush, a five-storey housing estate was built in the late 1930s and after World War II , which also took the name of the White City. Streets were named after countries that had featured in
8140-560: The programme with a short animation of a globe circumnavigated by four coloured rings. This practice continued throughout the next two decades. Upon the launch of the BBC News website in 1997, sport was included in the BBC's online presence for the first time. In May 2007, the BBC Trust approved plans for several BBC departments, including BBC Sport, to be moved to a new development in Salford . The new development at MediaCityUK marks
8250-426: The renovated studios were being taken. The first programme to transmit live from the newly refurbished studios was Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two on Monday 25 September 2017. It was hosted by Zoe Ball . In April 2018, ITV's daytime programmes Good Morning Britain , Lorraine , This Morning , Loose Women and political discussion programme Peston moved to Television Centre, due to
8360-554: The reporters. Regular tournament weather updates are provided by Carol Kirkwood . The BBC also broadcasts two traditional Grass warm up events in the fortnight before the Wimbledon Championships. First is the AEGON Championships from Queen's Club , which takes place two weeks before Wimbledon. The BBC has covered the tournament since 1979 and has a contract in place until 2024. The following week
8470-1344: The role of Master of Ceremonies at the major snooker tournaments televised by the BBC. In February 2016, it was announced that the BBC would cover the inaugural PDC Champions League of Darts . As a consequence the BBC would no longer show the BDO World Darts Championships, a tournament that the BBC had shown since its inception in 1978. Darts presenters on the BBC have included David Vine in 1978, Peter Purves from 1979 to 1984, Tony Gubba from 1985 to 1990, Eamonn Holmes from 1991 to 1993, Dougie Donnelly from 1994 to 1998, John Inverdale from 1999 to 2000, Ray Stubbs from 2001 to 2009, Colin Murray & Rob Walker from 2010 to 2016 and Jason Mohammad from 2016 to present. Bobby George has presented as well from 2000 to 2016. The current commentators are Vassos Alexander (2011–present), Dan Dawson (2016–present), Alan Warriner-Little (2016–present), Paul Nicholson (2016–present) and Mark Webster (2016–present). Former commentators are Sid Waddell 1978–1994, David Croft 2003–2012, John Part 1995–2007, Tony Green 1978–2010 and 2012–2016, Jim Proudfoot 2013–2016, Scott Mitchell 2014–2016 and John Rawling 2014–2016. On 9 September 2015,
8580-570: The same time but they were not fitted out until a few years later. BBC Television Centre officially opened with TC3 operational on 29 June 1960. When it opened in June 1960, the Director of BBC television was Gerald Beadle , and the first programme broadcast was First Night with David Nixon in Studio Three. In 1997, the BBC News Centre was opened, in a new complex at the front of the building. The decision to move radio news to this building
8690-414: The same time." Currently, and in the later years of the BBC's occupation of the centre, the studio facilities were run by the wholly owned commercial subsidiary BBC Studioworks . The studios vary in size and all studios were usually abbreviated to initials, such as TC1 (Television Centre 1) for Studio 1. The studios have hosted a wide variety of television programmes covering a diverse range of genres for
8800-519: The scenery workshop, the canteen block adjoining the Blue Peter Garden , and the central building. Previously, under a longstanding deal between the BBC and English Heritage the building was not listed to allow the BBC to make changes necessary in a broadcasting centre. In return, the BBC agreed that if it left, the fabric of the building would be restored to its mid-1960s state, and English Heritage would list notable features. On 17 June 2009
8910-537: The second England vs Pakistan Twenty20 International, its first live cricket broadcast for 21 years. BBC Sport currently holds the rights to broadcast the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the Queen's Club Championships live on its television platforms. The Wimbledon contract has been held by the BBC since 1927 and the current contract lasts until 2024 making it the longest such contract in
9020-427: The site include some of Britain's best known television programmes including Fawlty Towers , Monty Python's Flying Circus , Blue Peter , Absolutely Fabulous , the original Doctor Who series and most of the best known BBC drama series. From the 1980s the use of the complex for such productions declined with the last major drama series to be shot there being The House of Eliott , which ended in 1994, and
9130-479: The site providing connectivity with the local area, including Hammersmith Park. BBC Studioworks (formerly BBC S&PP) moved back to Television Centre in 2017 to operate Studios 1, 2 and 3. BBC Worldwide moved into office space in the Stage 6 building following extensive refurbishment in 2015. Landowners in the area, including White City Living by St James, Westfield London, Stanhope and Imperial College London are in
9240-456: The sports division of the BBC , providing national sports coverage for BBC television , radio and online . The BBC holds the television and radio UK broadcasting rights to several sports, broadcasting the sport live or alongside flagship analysis programmes such as Match of the Day , Test Match Special , Ski Sunday and Today at Wimbledon . Results, analysis and coverage is also added to
9350-833: The studio pundits. Steve Cram and Andrew Cotter commentate on track events alongside, Colin Jackson and Paula Radcliffe , with Steve Backley commentating on field events alongside Toni Minichiello . Jeanette Kwakye and Radzi Chinyanganya are the main interviewers. The BBC no longer holds rights to live coverage of golf. Until 2019, live coverage of Saturday and Sunday's play in the US Masters , and highlights of Thursday and Friday's play were broadcast, with Sky Sports showing all four days of The Masters live. From 2020, Sky Sports have exclusive live coverage of all four rounds. Daily highlights aired on BBC TWO up to and including 2022. For 2017 , they also showed all four days of
9460-424: The wall with drawing pins, and thus the birth of the iconic 'Atomic Dots' : there are 26 across the façade of Studio 1, each one backlit and clearly visible at night. The building as opened in 1960 was extended a number of times, notably along the 'spur' towards Wood Lane in line with the original masterplan although the actual implementation was completed over a number of decades and by different architects. Despite
9570-493: The world, examples of which are Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and David Lloyd from Sky Sports as well as Mark Nicholas and Michael Vaughan from Channel 5 / Channel 9. However, 21 years after last showing live cricket, the BBC returned to live coverage of the sport in 2020. The BBC covered the World Rally Championship until 2001, when Channel 4 bought the rights. WRC is now shown on ITV4. The BBC gave up
9680-438: The world. The BBC produce over 900 hours of footage that is distributed to broadcasters in 159 countries. BBC Wimbledon coverage is presented by former British number one and 1976 French Open Champion Sue Barker alongside a whole host of former ex-professional players including John McEnroe , Martina Navratilova , Boris Becker , Billie Jean King , Tracy Austin and Tim Henman . Matches are broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Two,
9790-462: Was Peter O'Sullevan , who became one of the first ever TV sports commentators in the immediate post-war years and stayed with the BBC until 1997. Julian Wilson had presented the BBC's horse racing coverage from 1966 to 1997. Clare Balding took over presenting duties following Wilson's retirement. Prior to 1999, the BBC had shown live cricket coverage for many decades. Coverage had been fronted by Peter West and later by Tony Lewis . Richie Benaud
9900-544: Was a commentator for the BBC for more than 30 years. In 1999, the BBC lost coverage of England home matches to Channel 4 and subsequently, one of the major criticisms of BBC Sport was that it did not show any live cricket and this was further enhanced when the BBC did not subsequently bid for the rights to show home Test matches . Due to this the popularity of cricket in UK (primarily England) has fallen sharply since cricket left terrestrial television in 2005 since being broadcast on Sky Sports . The BBC did broadcast highlights of
10010-415: Was announced on 18 October 2007 that in order to meet a £2 billion shortfall in funding, the BBC intended to "reduce the size of the property portfolio in west London by selling BBC Television Centre by the end of the financial year 2012/13", with the then Director General , Mark Thompson , saying the plan would deliver "a smaller, but fitter, BBC" in the digital age. A BBC spokesman has added that "this
10120-450: Was arguably the starting point for the great popularity of snooker over the last 50 years. The sport always produces large viewing figures for the BBC; the 1985 World Snooker Championship final between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor attracted the largest-ever audience for a BBC Two programme, pulling in 18.5 million viewers at the climax of the match shortly after midnight on 29 April 1985. The World Snooker Championship ,
10230-445: Was attributed to Director General John Birt , a move that was resisted by the managing director of BBC Radio , Liz Forgan , who resigned after failing to dissuade the governors. Birt's decision caused problems; for example some politicians accustomed to travelling to interviews at Broadcasting House in Central London were reluctant to make the journey to White City, despite being only 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 mi (7.2 km) west. It
10340-512: Was broadcasting news bulletins. The BBC's current rights deal lasts through the 2020 Summer Olympics . Beginning at the 2018 Winter Olympics , the BBC entered into sub-licensing agreements with Discovery Communications , the pan-European rightsholder of the Olympics for 2018 through 2024. Discovery will sub-license exclusive pay television rights to the Games from the BBC in 2018 and 2021, and will then, in turn, sub-license terrestrial rights to
10450-507: Was brought out of retirement for one last rodeo. The month-long rodeo was held from 9 June to 6 July with ten shows per week. Pathé News filmed some of the events. The Stadium was home to the White City Rebels motorcycle speedway team, part of the inaugural British League in 1929 and from 1976 to 1978. Speedway was run first in 1928 and occasional meetings were run from 1953 to 1958, in 1961 and from 1979 to 1983. The stadium
10560-632: Was demolished starting in late 1984 to make way for the BBC White City building. The athletes of the 1908 Summer Olympics are commemorated with a list inscribed on the side of the BBC Broadcast Centre Building, and the athletics finish line is marked in the paving outside the building. In 1960, BBC Television Centre was built at the former site of the White City Stadium. It was damaged by the Real IRA in
10670-538: Was designed for in-vision continuity for BBC 2 , but that channel did not use in-vision continuity for more than a few months after launch. Became a general purpose studio housing small productions such as Points of View , the Film series with Barry Norman and The Old Grey Whistle Test . It closed in 1996 and initially remained disused until it was converted (along with Pres A) into additional presentation control rooms. The substantially thick wall between Pres A and B
10780-790: Was level arable farmland until 1908, when it was used as the site of the Franco-British Exhibition and the 1908 Summer Olympics . In 1909 the exhibition site hosted the Imperial International Exhibition and in 1910, the Japan–British Exhibition . The final two exhibitions to be held there were the Latin-British Exhibition (1912) and the Anglo-American Exposition (1914), which was brought to
10890-470: Was only available through the Red Button or online). Channel 4 then took over as the terrestrial home of NFL on British TV showing a Sunday Night game, the two London games and their first Super Bowl in 16 years in 2014 after last covering the Super Bowl in 1998. Absolute Radio took over the BBC Radio rights. The BBC currently holds no motorsport broadcasting rights In 2018, the BBC signed a deal to split
11000-518: Was output from the nearby Broadcast Centre at 201 Wood Lane, care of Red Bee Media . Live television events from studios and routing of national and international sporting events took place within Television Centre before being passed to the Broadcast Centre for transmission. The building is 4 miles (6 kilometres) west of central London, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham . The nearest Underground stations are White City on
11110-408: Was redeveloped but original features of the buildings including the "doughnut", atomic dot wall and Helios statue were retained. The redeveloped Television Centre was opened to the public and will offer entertainment and leisure facilities, including a new branch of members' club Soho House, offices aimed at the creative sector and approximately 1,000 new homes, together with pedestrian access through
11220-477: Was removed and a mezzanine floor constructed to house a larger presentation control area for interactive and children's channels CBBC and CBeebies. In addition to these studios, BBC News used a number of studios for the frequent news bulletins. These studios have a different naming system owing to their permanent usage and were not included on most studio lists, as they were unavailable for hire. These studios were located in Stage 5 & Stage 6, commonly known as
11330-459: Was renamed TC11. In 2002 it became home to Liquid News and later to the other BBC Three news programmes 60 Seconds and The 7 O'Clock News . It briefly played host to the domestic BBC News bulletins while their studios were refurbished in 2006, before becoming general purpose. It was home to Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two until 15 December 2011, after which the studio was closed. 56 square metres (600 ft) Originally built as
11440-463: Was set up. In December 2013, Stanhope was granted planning permission from the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. In October 2014, UK magazine Private Eye reported that having spent £60 million to remove broadcasting equipment from the building, the BBC planned to spend £12 million a year to lease back parts of the building. This decision was in direct contradiction of
11550-563: Was soon repaired. Television Centre has suffered from power cuts that affected normal broadcasting, but these were not seen as a systemic problem. One such power cut caused the launch night of BBC2 , on 20 April 1964, to be cancelled; programmes began the next day. A major power failure occurred on 20 June 2000 at approximately 5 p.m., affecting the entire Television Centre resulting in services such as BBC One , BBC Two and BBC Radio 4 coming off air and/or altering their schedules. BBC News 24 went off air twice before being relocated to
11660-567: Was the home of CBeebies . 186 square metres (2,000 ft) Opened as N2 in September 1969, and the same size as N1, it was used for the BBC2 daytime news bulletins. Extended in 1985 to include props store and adjacent lobby, it became home to the Six O'Clock and Nine O'Clock News . In spring 1999, following the completion of the News Centre spur of Television Centre, the news moved out and it
11770-435: Was to be the largest television centre in the world. It was planned to be 6 acres (2.4 hectares), but turned out to be twice the size. The building was commissioned in 1949 with work starting in 1950. However government restrictions on building, through its loan sanction and licensing of materials, ensured that building work was halted until 1953. Intended as stopgaps, the BBC remodelled the former Gaumont Studios at Lime Grove,
11880-517: Was used for slots such as birthdays and public holidays. It became full-time home of Children's BBC in 1994 following the vacation of the 'Broom Cupboard'. It closed following CBBC's move to TC9 and was converted into additional presentation control rooms. The substantially thick wall between Pres A and B was removed and a mezzanine floor constructed to house a larger presentation control area for interactive and children's channels CBBC and CBeebies . 65 square metres (704 ft) Opened in 1964, Pres B
11990-551: Was used for the BBC1 daytime news bulletins, and the home of BBC World (previously BBC World Service News) from 1993. Closed in spring 1999 when news bulletins moved to the News Centre section of Television Centre, and renamed as TC10. Used for some programmes by channel UK Play until the station's closure. Between 2004 and 2006 it was used for in-vision continuity for CBBC on BBC One and BBC Two , before being used by some programming for CBBC such as Level Up . From 2010 to 2011 it
12100-556: Was won back after many years in 2001, when the BBC also gained rights to The Oaks , which had only ever previously been shown by ITV and Channel 4 (until 2001, the commercial broadcasters had always held the Epsom contract, but from 1960 to 1974, in 1977 and in 1979 the BBC had shown the Derby simultaneously with ITV, because it was a protected event which could not be exclusive to either channel). The most famous BBC TV racing broadcaster
#14985