BBC 'on track' to boost North East TV production

BBC director-general Tim Davie visited Darlington to celebrate the broadcaster's commitment to the North East

Plans to boost TV production in north-east England have created hundreds of jobs and contributed millions of pounds to the region, the BBC director-general said.

Tim Davie visited Darlington, in County Durham, to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the BBC's partnership with the North East Screen Partnership (NESIP).

To mark the occasion, he met with local TV stars as well as mayors Kim McGuinness and Ben Houchen.

Mr Davie said the BBC was "proud to play a part" in supporting the region's "vibrant media industry".

"By boosting investment, allocating the right resources, and moving people outside of London – we're making sure that authentic, home-grown stories from this amazing region are being told," he said.

Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen, described the partnership as a "substantial catalyst for growth" for the industry.

The five-year agreement has created 293 jobs and contributed £18.6m of value to the region, the BBC said. It is also on track to create a sector worth £50m a year in the area by 2027, it added.

'Second to none'

Mr Davie also visited the set of CBBC's Dumping Ground, which is filmed in Hexham, Northumberland.

More than 80 participants have taken part in the show's trainee scheme, which aims to create a pipeline of local talent.

The BBC's commitment to the North East has also led to the creation of its latest comedy, Smoggie Queens. The Middlesbrough-based programme will showcase the region's LGBTQ+ community.

Dragons' Den's Sara Davies is set to host a new programme called The Big Idea Works.

Created by Gateshead production company TwentySix03, the programme will help aspiring inventors transform their ideas into working prototypes.

"I can tell you first hand that the creative and production power of the North East is second to none," said Davies.

"We have much more to offer and, thanks to relationships with people like North East Screen, the viewers will see this in action."

The Big Idea Works, starring Sara Davies, has been produced by Gateshead firm TwentySix03

The BBC’s work with NESIP has been part of a wider growth of the North East’s production sector.

Production companies Fulwell 73, Northern Child, TwentySix03, and Chatterbox have all relocated to the region while True North and Run VT Production are investing in local sites.

TV and film studios are also being developed in Hartlepool and Sunderland.