A new economic report published today (Monday 21 September) shows the increasing impact of the BBC on the Greater Manchester economy.
The report has been released as part of the Made Of Here campaign, which this time turns the spotlight onto Greater Manchester, showcasing some of the region’s much-loved BBC content and programmes.
The campaign comes as the BBC marks 15 years since moving to MediaCity and 100 years since Salford was officially granted city status.
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Findings in the report, The BBC’s Economic Impact in Greater Manchester, include that in 2024/25, the BBC contributed £450 million in GVA (gross value added) to the Greater Manchester economy; and over the past six years, the BBC’s GVA contribution to the region has grown by an average of 7% per year. It also demonstrates that in 2024/25, the BBC’s economic activity in Greater Manchester supported more than 5,000 jobs.
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. More than 300 billboards, digital screens, bus sides and other media will run across the city centre and Salford for the campaign, as well as special announcements on the tram network and a new film, celebrating the people, the stories and the programmes that are made of Greater Manchester.
The iconic BBC blocks have been transformed into the ‘Bee Bee C’ on Quay House and in campaign artwork, incorporating the Manchester worker bee emblem – the historic symbol that represents its industry and hard-working people – to honour the region’s contribution to culture.
Heidi Dawson, BBC Head of the North of England, says: “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.
“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 that call Greater Manchester home.”
Special content and programmes celebrating Greater Manchester will air across the BBC, from Radio Manchester to Morning Live. Viewers and listeners can discover a collection of BBC content that’s made of Greater Manchester across iPlayer and Sounds. Production Unlocked is also hosting a day of free masterclasses and panel discussions in MediaCity for those who work in, or want to work in, the creative industries.
As part of the campaign and to celebrate Greater Manchester’s voices, the BBC has commissioned five poets from Contains Strong Language festival, the UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival, to pen new works about their region. Films of the poets reciting their creations are available on iPlayer and will be shown at the free festival, which takes place in Salford, celebrating its 10th anniversary, from 24 to 27 September.
