This Is MediaCity - Media News, Insights and Interviews

Jason Spencer quotes a line from the Bard of Salford, Doctor John Cooper-Clarke, who has written an ode to ITV to mark its 70th Anniversary. “Where would we be without ITV? “And the advert breaks that come for free” With so much talk about the future of linear television and domination of streamers, plus the changes in funding for the screen sector, we’re joined by Jason Spencer the Business Devel...

Okay, so we were supposed to sit down with Simon Marsland of Toasted Productions and DIG to talk about new AR app, Manchester Music Mooch, but we went down a cultural and archive rabbit hole… And can you blame us? The MediaCity production team has a fascinating and absolutely unique archive of videos from the 1960s, including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Marina Abramovic, Bob Dylan and Salvador Dali....

Today the Creative Director of Landsec joins us on This Is MediaCity to talk about his vision for the future of “one of the most exciting places in the world.” Landsec took over the campus late last year and they have big plans for what to do next. Martyn has a unique role in the property sector as Landsec’s Creative Director, so we try and find out what that means and how this impacts the way the...

Michelle Eagleton has interviewed some of the most famous people on the planet - Dame Joan Collins gave her make-up advice, while 80s pop phenomenon Bros sang an impromptu jingle for her show. But she reveals that an interview with Sir David Attenborough when she was starting out still haunts her… If you’re a journalist, you may want to sit down when you hear that part of the podcast! “I think it...

Ahead of this year’s bigger than ever Classic Car Boot Sale, we are talking to legendary designer, Wayne Hemingway MBE. Wayne will be known to many as the founder of iconic fashion label, Red or Dead, but over the last decade, he’s been working with the team at MediaCity. He’s behind the Classic Car Boot Sale, which will be driving into MediaCity on 12 and 13 July. Thousands of people, classic car...

On this week’s This Is MediaCity, dock10’s Head of Production Innovation gives a fascinating insight into what’s possible now and what could be happening in the future for broadcast technology. Technology powers dock10 studios and Richard Wormwell is in charge of pushing the boundaries, to see where media production can head next. This isn’t just about using technology for the sake of it, it’s abo...

He’s worked with Tom Grennan for Gillette; had beds singing Queen tracks; and when Bruce Springsteen needed a studio fast - the first call was Gary Hilton at Gas Music. Gas Music has been based at MediaCity for almost a decade and works with brands and broadcasters to create perfect music tracks. That includes the likes of The Best A Man Can Get for Gillette, or creating the music for BBC’s Winter...

Today we are joined by a pair of famous pups, as Animal Direction’s Davinia Hamilton-Maddox and Rachel Bean bring Tehya and Maycee to the studio. Animal Direction provides a whole host of animals to the screen sector, from advertising pet products to becoming household names, with appearances on Late Night Lycett and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.  Yes, the fox red labrador, who Joe Lycett...

Today fresh from winning a couple of Emmy’s Krygon Studios’ Bradley Harris joins us on the This Is MediaCity podcast sofa. Starting out in games and working on franchises including Lego and Harry Potter, he’s now doing more 2D and 3D work across screen. He’s also bringing his knowledge of creating games into the screen-sector to pioneer new ways of working. Based at MediaCity, Krygon Studios’ bigg...

From The Voice and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, to Match of the Day and the eChampions League*, dock10 has filmed them all. And today they’ve invited us into their studio, as This Is MediaCity goes on the road - well down the lift… Andy Waters is Head of Studios at the Tardis-like complex at MediaCity and gives us insight into how it all works and how to put on major shows. He also explains wh...

Top presenter and podcaster, Chris Hawkins joins us on this week’s This Is MediaCity. He’s usually the one asking the questions, so today it’s a rare chance to hear what makes Chris tick, his radio inspirations, his love for music and working in the North West. BBC Radio 6 Music is based at MediaCity. We also chat about his hit podcast, How To DJ, plus his hugely successful music events, Q&A S...

Here's a taster of This is MediaCity - our brand new podcast series hosted by journalist, producer and director Stephen Chapman – founder of MediaCity based 39 Pictures and produced by talented University of Salford graduates. Our lively weekly podcast will feature MediaCity’s finest from cutting edge creatives to rising stars with a few well-known faces in between. Each Friday we'll speak to broa...

As Lowry marks its 25th anniversary, we speak to Matt Eames, Head of Theatres at Lowry about what makes it so special. We’ll also see the latest Lowry360 exhibit, which celebrates one of LS Lowry’s most famous pieces of art in a truly immersive way. We’ll discuss some of the big highlights of this year, plus where they want to be in the next 25 years, from discovering new talent, to bringing in ma...

The World Premiere of Stories Brought To Life arrives in MediaCity this weekend and we speak to the man behind it all. Rich Storton is the General Manager of FRAMELESS Touring and has spent years working with the National Portrait Gallery to create this unique immersive experience. He joins us to talk about what we can expect and how difficult it was to pull together. The experience brings portrai...

One minute they’re interviewing Bruce Springsteen at his home, the next Wise Owl are back in Yorkshire with Amanda Owen and the Brontes. This week This Is MediaCity links up with Prolific North for a special show with Leeds production company, Wise Owl. We talk about the ins and outs of producing shows like the new series of Amanda, Clive and Kids: Our Farm Next Door, which returns to More 4 on 29...

From Mr Beast to women’s sport, TikTok and the North, this week’s podcast features Colin McKevitt, the founder and MD of Badger & Combes. The award-winning digital media production company broadcast to millions during the pandemic and works with major organisations across music, sports and beyond. Colin also talks about training the next generation and why it’s crucial to be based in the North...

It started out as an illegal pirate radio station, constantly threatened with closure, where they made music through their PlayStations. But now Unity Radio is an established champion of youth culture, based at MediaCity We hear from station founder and CEO, Jon Green about its origins; plus musicians and presenters, Aaliyah and Tsana who are some of the next generation of Manchester radio talent...

How do you hang a giant jacket off Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower, or make a bus furry? These are the questions ThunderHawk’s Matt McHugh is here to answer.  We also look at how the creative world is changing to give power to the indies, collaboration and innovation.  And that’s why he was the first to move into the brand new Content Studio space and how he hopes it’ll supercharge his busi...

From Coronation Street and Emmerdale to big name presenters and now Hollywood, the award-winning Dan Scott is becoming a big name around the world. We’ll talk about styling the stars and how an early music career almost got him signed to Elton John’s management team. Plus is there “spexism” in movies; how you can make your glasses fit better; and much, much more.. #Eyewear #Stylist #Wicked #EltonJ...

If you want inspiration today - you need to tune in to our podcast with Kai Ojo. The UK&I CEO of global software group, Planisware talks about his journey from sharing a desk as a start-up, to outgrowing two offices - even during Brexit and Covid. We discuss the tools entrepreneurs need from hiring a diverse workforce, to making sure you ask for help, plus some of the potential pitfalls… and w...

Noelle uses state-of-the-art technology to take her gigs to another level. From immersive audio and developing visuals in Blender and Unreal Engine, to putting on Fortnite concerts. Noelle’s is an inspirational story of collaboration and the future of how we’ll listen to music live. Plus she tells us where to get the best coffee at MediaCity! Do you think she’s right? Let us know in the comments…...

Amber Haque is a critically acclaimed documentary-maker and presenter, based in the North West of England. The University of Salford graduate talks about her journey, how her programmes have led to political change and why story-tellers should be harnessing social media. She also discusses her new role in pushing “the final taboo of diversity” - class. You can watch Amber's most recent documentari...

We have television royalty on the This Is MediaCity sofa this week as we’re joined by Granada legend and University of Salford Chancellor, Lucy Meacock. In a wide ranging interview Lucy talks about the importance of regional news and having journalism you can trust. We also look back on a unique career, including her first meeting with Tony Wilson and telling off “Mr Manchester” plus campaigning f...

On today's show ImmersivEye's Steve Moyler talks about how he started as a traditional graphic designer and now works at the cutting edge of broadcast technology. A journey via sandwich shop advertising, City Life, major commercials with McCann and now directing virtual productions with a tablet and Unreal Engine. But ultimately he says, everything's about producing content that brings an emotive...

Peter Salmon, TV Producer and Former Director of BBC North, was the driving force behind the BBC’s move to Salford in 2011 when MediaCity first opened for business. This time he’s back in MediaCity to help shape its future direction and take us on a trip down memory lane.  With a background that includes top roles at BBC Studios, BBC Sport, Channel 4, Granada Television and Banijay, he's one...