THE BBC has confirmed it will stay at Broadcasting House in Belfast - despite speculation for many years that it would vacate its home of the last 77 years.
Director General Lord Tony Hall confirmed yesterday that the Northern Ireland headquarters will be completely revamped and upgraded into a ‘technology centre of excellence’ as part of a £77 million investment into the site.
Improvements will also be made to the BBC Blackstaff television studio as part of the biggest cash injection into the broadcaster in more than two decades.
A feasibility study had been carried out by the BBC in recent years to look at potential alternative sites in Belfast, with Broadcasting House deemed no longer fit-for-purpose in its existing format.
A location in Titanic Quarter had been considered, while the BBC was also courted for a move into the former Belfast Telegraph building in Royal Avenue after it was acquired by Belfast City Council and developer McAleer & Rushe.
But yesterday Lord Hall signed off on the £77m investment as “a sign of our commitment to Northern Ireland".
He said: "We’ve already made the biggest single investment the BBC has made in Northern Ireland in 20 years which is going to transform our digital output.
"Now we’re making sure we have a Broadcasting House fit for the digital age, giving audiences more access, ensuring we can give them the best possible programmes and making sure we operate as efficiently as possible.”
BBC Northern Ireland director Peter Johnston said: “Doing nothing was not an option. This is a big decision for the BBC and it’s about much more than just bricks and mortar.
"This major investment is a commitment to licence fee payers in Northern Ireland and will help us to become a more efficient and flexible broadcaster, better equipped to meet the needs of our diverse audience for years to come.”
