The Majestic in Leeds city centre has quite the history. Its story begins 100 years ago, when it was built as a cinema. The 1920s were a boom time for the movie business and the archives show that the Majestic truly lived up to its name.
The Yorkshire Evening News described “decorations and appointments… of a most sumptuous character”. Over the years, thousands bathed in the light of its silver screen.
When George Osborne first uttered the phrase “Northern Powerhouse” back in 2014, it’s fair to say that the TV industry wasn’t at the front of his mind. But, six years on, is it time to start thinking of it as such?
Back then, the mood in the TV industry across the North of England was very different. Both Leeds and Manchester were still struggling with the impact of ITV’s retrenchment to London, while the BBC’s project as the anchor tenant of MediaCity UK was barely into its stride.
The announcement that Channel 4 will be coming to Leeds literally lit up the city. Social media went mad. Leeds City Region’s #4Sparks campaign had prevailed, and Leeds University floodlit its iconic Parkinson Building in celebration.
Friends and neighbours with no connection to the media were talking about it as a good thing. A new wave of prosperity, jobs and creative pride was on the way.
Moreover, we had been the underdog and beaten off the challenge from the two Andies (mayors Andy Street, heading the Birmingham bid, and Andy Burnham, in Manchester).
At two masterclasses and three mini-“Anatomy of a hit” sessions, the students learned from some of the region’s leading TV executives, who were buoyed by the news of Channel 4’s decision to set up its new national headquarters in Leeds, which had broken the day before.
UKTV has undergone a rapid expansion of the technology division and the video on demand service UKTV Play.
The broadcaster has announced that the new regional office will be a technology innovation hub and house an initial team of up to 10 specialists in content distribution, to provide support for UKTV's technology and operations department and grow the digital platforms.
Alongside the new regional HQ in Leeds, Glasgow and Bristol will become new Creative Hubs for the broadcaster.
Leeds was chosen over the shortlisted cities Manchester and Birmingham following an extensive pitch process, with over 30 pitches from cities and regions across the UK assessed against Channel 4’s vision and objectives.
