ITN Productions is opening a production base in Leeds, with a number of factual commissions already secured.
The Aire Street offices, which are complete with state-of-the-art edit facilities, form part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans.
Recent ITN Productions commissions have included BAFTA Award-winning For Sama, a co-production with Channel 4 News for Channel 4 and PBS Frontline, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey for ITV and ABC, Channel 5’s Michael Palin in North Korea and Live: Britain’s Next PM – The Channel 4 Debate for Channel 4.
Overall last year it produced 670 hours of TV, the most it’s ever made.
Ian Rumsey, Director of TV Production, ITN Productions, said: “Having a regional office is a necessity for us. It’s vital in order to recruit and develop new talent out of London and to make programmes which truly reflect the nation.”
The new base has already secured a number of commissions, including a six-part series on Churchill for Channel 5 as well as three more two-hour specials on iconic Britons for the channel.
Rumsey addeed: “Last year ITN Productions boasted an increase in the number of hours that we produced and the opening of Leeds signals continued expansion for us – both in the UK and the US.”
Recruitment is underway for both full-time and contract roles in Leeds and pre-production starts later this month for the Channel 5 commissions which will transmit later this year.
Last year, ITN grew revenue up by 0.4% to £126.9m, with operating profit up 14% to £6.6m.
ITN’s decision to have a production base in Leeds follows Channel 4’s decision to relocate its national headquarters to the city.
