New report highlights the BBC’s £450 million contribution to Greater Manchester’s economy as major campaign rolls out.
The campaign launches as the BBC celebrates its 15 years in MediaCity alongside the 100 year anniversary of Salford being granted its city status.
As part of the ‘Made Of Here’ campaign, Salford residents can expect to see more than three hundred billboards and digital screens across Salford and a film celebrating the people, stories and programmes made of Greater Manchester across digital screens around the city.
Heidi Dawson, BBC Head of the North of England, said: “The BBC’s move to Salford Quays 15 years ago was a bold statement about the future of UK media, and today, our commitment to the region and the impact we are making continues to grow, contributing £450m to the Greater Manchester in 2024/25.
Findings in the recent report- The BBC’s Economic Impact In Greater Manchester found that in 2024/2025 the BBC contributed £450 million in GVA (Gross value Added).
The GVA contribution has grown at am average of 7% per year and in 2024/2025 the BBC’s economic activity in Greater Manchester supported more than five thousand jobs.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennet has seen how crucial the BBC’s relocation to Salford has been.
He said: “The BBC’s relocation to Salford has been a catalyst for economic growth across the city’s digital, creative and media sectors as well as the national profile of the city. These figures demonstrate the scale of that impact.”
Made of Greater Manchester is the latest regional moment in the BBC’s made of here campaign, designed to celebrate its commitment to homegrown storytelling.
Classic family favourite characters from shows filmed in the city such as; The Royle Family, Waterloo Road and Small Prophets will feature across artwork amongst the city.
It’s not just visuals the community can be on the look out for. For the next two weeks, a special tram announcement from famous local broadcaster, Mike Sweeney, will be heard at the Langworthy tram stop.
Samantha McMillian from Quay Street Productions sees the creative talent the city has to offer.
“Greater Manchester has an incredible depth of creative talent, both on and off screen, and sustained investment from the BBC has played an important role in helping that talent and the wider production sector to thrive.
“For companies like Quay Street Productions, having a strong broadcasting and production ecosystem here means we can build ambitious shows in the region, create opportunities and continue developing the next generation of talent”, she said.
Made Of Greater Manchester celebrates not only the local, national and international content that the BBC produces from MediaCity and the wider region, but also the stories and creativity of the people that call Greater Manchester home.
BBC viewers and listeners can discover programmes celebrating Greater Manchester from BBC Radio Manchester to Morning Live.
‘Production Unlocked’ is also hosting a day of free masterclasses and panel discussions in MediaCity for those interested in getting involved with creative industries.
Upon the approach of the UK’S biggest poetry and performance festival ‘BBC contains Strong language’ coming to Salford this weekend will celebrate Greater Manchester voices as part of the Made Of Greater Manchester campaign. Find out more about the event here.
