Manchester could be the home of a new “pop up” studio where Channel 4 can pilot primetime shows.
The channel’s newly appointed Head of Entertainment, Phil Harris, discussed the pop up studio in an interview with Broadcast today.
“The ambition is to conduct multiple mini-format tests of different ideas from a range of companies, which are based around the country,” he told Broadcast.
“It feels wrong financially and sustainability-wise to do loads of full-blown non-TX pilots but we want to do more than just run-throughs in the office.”
Today Channel 4 wouldn’t be drawn on speculation that he favours the North West and specially Greater Manchester for the studio location.
Harris joined Channel 4 from Thames, where he’s been Creative Director since 2017. There he worked across formats including The Greatest Dancer, Eating With My Ex; and a reboot of Blockbusters for Comedy Central. Prior to that he produced a number of entertainment shows, including Saturday Night Takeaway, The Xtra Factor and Celebrity Big Brother.
Pictured is 8 of 10 Cats Does Countdown, which is filmed at MediaCityUK in Salford.
