BBC live link up with Teesside University

The BBC chose Teesside University as the conference venue to unveil programming plans and job opportunities following the transfer of key departments to the north.

BBC Director General Mark Thompson said: ‘We are really pleased and proud to be here and be associated with Teesside University.’

TV comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, from Darlington and Middlesbrough respectively, joined BBC executives here at the University to talk about the BBC move north.

Mark Thompson said the University is key to developing the skills of future generations of who want to work in media and broadcast.

‘We want to talk to students about prospects for jobs at the BBC. Teesside University’s reputation has been growing and growing as a modern university playing a leadership role in helping students develop the skills we are going to need in the British creative industry.’

The BBC jobs will arise as a result of the transfer of key departments such as BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sport and children’s programming to MediaCity UK in Salford.

There will also be a new season of programmes celebrating the culture, history and life of northern cities, according to the corporation.

Mark Thompson explained: ‘Teesside is one of the fastest moving, most exciting universities of the UK as we ramp up the production of drama, comedy and radio, it is essential we have the people with the talent, skills and ideas to help us. Having a degree in TV Production here at Teesside is very helpful for us. The things taught here fit in with the way our industry is developing.

‘It’s great to meet the students, finding fresh generations of people with the enthusiasm and commitment to building a career in the media.

‘Future producers of Match of the Day, editors on Radio 5 live or even Blue Peter presenters could be in this room.’

A total of 2,500 people will work at the BBC’s Salford home when it opens in 2011.

Helping talented performers TV funny men Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer were at the Connect and Create event to talk about their early careers and offer tips and advice on breaking into the business.

Bob Mortimer, who was born in Middlesbrough, said: 'As a proud northerner I think it's great that there are going to be more opportunities to find talented performers from the North and help them get into the media.'

The University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson added: 'Working with media professionals is a critically important part of the University’s work and we are extremely proud of the success of our provision in media, computer animation and games, and of our status as a Skillset Media Academy.'

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