This exciting move marks the beginning of a new chapter for these cherished TV landmarks.” Rachel Ashdown, Commissioning Editor, BBC
BBC One and BBC Studios are delighted to announce that Salford will be the new home for the BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief nights of TV.
These special events, broadcast live on BBC One and made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions, are two of the biggest nights in the BBCs calendar, bringing viewers jam-packed evenings of entertainment with exciting line-ups of familiar faces coming together to help raise money for BBC Children in Need and Comic Reliefs Red Nose Day.
BBC Children in Need is the BBCs UK corporate charity that exists to change the lives of children and young people across the UK and Comic Relief is a major UK charity with a vision of a just world, free from poverty, with both of these charity appeals culminating in a live TV broadcast on BBC One. The move of these major shows to Salford will also further enhance the BBCs commitment to the nations and regions, as outlined in the proposals set out by the Director General in the BBCs blueprint for the future entitled The BBC Across the UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/across-the-uk
Beginning in November with BBC Children in Need, now in its 41st year, the live show will come from the biggest multi-camera purpose built TV studio in the UK, making it the perfect place to broadcast a night of unmissable entertainment, fun and fundraising. Comic Reliefs Red Nose Day broadcast will also come from Salford where the Sport Relief show has broadcast from for several years.
Salford is already home to some of the biggest and best known programmes and radio stations from the BBC including A Question of Sport, North West Tonight, Dragons Den, BBC Radio 5 Live, Football Focus, Match of the Day, BBC Radio Manchester, University Challenge, BBC Breakfast and Blue Peter, with BBC Children in Need and Comic Reliefs Red Nose Day now also making Salford their new permanent production base and broadcast location.
Rachel Ashdown, Commissioning Editor at the BBC says: This exciting move marks the beginning of a new chapter for these cherished TV landmarks. Plans are already underway for Novembers BBC Children in Need Night of TV which will bring the usual array of stars and surprises from its new home as people come together for BBC Children In Need.
Suzy Lamb, Managing Director BBC Studios Entertainment says: The fantastic production expertise we have in the North is second to none and its exciting to think were going to grow this skillset by making Salford the home of these two incredibly important titles. The team there cannot wait to get going and plan for what I know will be two truly memorable nights every year.
Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive BBC Children in Need says: We are hugely excited to be bringing the BBC Children in Need Appeal show to Pudsey HQ in Media City, Salford. The past year has left lasting effects on the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage and the 2021 Appeal show will be a chance for us to come together as a nation and demonstrate that we will always be here for the children and young people across the UK that need us most. There will be much laughter, joy and entertainment, but above all, there will an abundance of kindness and hope.
Samir Patel, Chief Executive of Comic Relief added: We cant wait to film from Salford next March. The support we get from the public all around the country but particularly in the North is simply outstanding. To get back in a live studio with a full crew and studio audience at our new home will be a treat – roll on next March!
More exciting details about this years BBC Children in Need campaign will be announced in due course, with the next night of TV taking place on Friday 19 November 2021.
-ENDS-
About BBC Studios Productions:
BBC Studios Productions was the UKs most commissioned creator of new content in the last financial year, producing for a broad range of broadcasters and services including Apple, Netflix, NBC Universal, Discovery, Channel 4 and Sky as well as the BBC. Despite the challenges of Covid, BBC Studios Productions created 1352 hours of content and 232 titles in the last financial year, setting the standards for Covid-safe productions. Recent creative successes include 5 BAFTA award wins for Springwatch, Inside No. 9, This Country and Casualty and The Surgeons Cut (the latter produced for Netflix), an Emmy nomination for The Year Earth Changed (produced for Apple) and critical acclaim for Time and A Life in Ten Pictures (produced for BBC One and BBC Two).
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About BBC Children in Need:
BBC Children in Needs vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. The charity will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.
BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 2,500 local charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.
Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at bbcchildreninneed.co.uk
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief raises money to support people living incredibly tough lives. Through humour and stories of hope, weve shown that people can make a massive difference. We fund hundreds of amazing organisations who are working on the ground to support the most vulnerable people and communities in society including many of those hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. This includes vulnerable children and young people, people who are homeless or who have been forced to flee their homes, women and families at risk of domestic abuse and those struggling with existing or new mental health problems.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please www.comicrelief.com
Comic Relief, which is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)