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After a year of transformation and strategic recalibration at BBC Studioworks, the outlook for 2025/26 is increasingly bright, says Business and Marketing Director Rebecca Williams
Two of our flagship studio spaces are fully booked until mid-2026, buoyed by the return of hit productions like Strictly Come Dancing and Limitless Win, and the arrival of exciting new formats such as Win Win. This level of forward booking is encouraging — especially against the backdrop of recent industry uncertainty.
Television Centre is thriving and poised to welcome the UK debut of Saturday Night Live, a cultural milestone for British broadcasting. However, we remain clear-eyed: a strong year doesn’t signal a return to ‘business as usual’ or the revival of a bygone era. We’re a leaner operation today, particularly following the BBC’s sale of the Elstree site to AXA IM Corporate in early 2024 — a space that had hosted iconic shows like It Takes Two, A League of Their Own and Love Island: Aftersun. As with much of the sector, we’re navigating a new landscape, one that requires agility over nostalgia.
Now, in my new role as Business and Marketing Director, I’m committed to leading BBC Studioworks into its next chapter — one defined by adaptability, innovation and confidence.
Changing with the times
Historically, our model revolved around quick turnarounds — multiple shows in a single week, sometimes even per day. But as audience habits shift ed and commissioning patterns evolved, that model became less sustainable. The industry is changing, and we’re evolving alongside it, rethinking the way we use our spaces, invest in technology, and support new types of content.
While some long-standing productions have come to an end, new opportunities are emerging. Universal’s Saturday Night Live UK is one such example, booking a dedicated seven-week block at Television Centre. It took careful co-ordination to make sure we could host our existing and valuable clients, but we’re thrilled to host such an iconic format. It represents more than just a new show — it’s a cultural event, and we believe its presence on Sky could reinvigorate Saturday night viewing habits. Live, appointment-based TV still holds incredible power, and SNL has the potential to tap into that in a major way.
We’re also diversifying beyond traditional broadcast. For the first time, we’ve hosted live Esports events such as Gran Turismo World Series, streamed across YouTube and multiple digital platforms. This has required significant investment in specialist technology, but the returns — in both engagement and expertise — are already clear.
We’re also finding innovative ways to maximise our existing assets. Our new vodcast/podcast studio has been a timely addition, especially as the vodcast/podcast content drive remains unabated. By repurposing two of our post-production suites at Television Centre, we’ve created spaces fi t for full-cast audio drama, and we’ve already recorded several outstanding shows, including Inside Track and History’s Heroes.
When I learned that the National Lottery was seeking a new home for its live draws, I reached out to operator Allwyn. They were excited by the idea of returning to Television Centre. The challenge? Finding the right space. The solution came in the form of The Wedge — a previously underused, wedge-shaped storage area. With Allwyn’s creative input, we transformed it into a purpose-built studio complete with a gallery featuring a glass window into the floor. Their collaboration has been energising and emblematic of the new spirit we’re embracing.
“In today’s climate, survival is no longer a given. But at BBC Studioworks, we’re not just surviving, we’re growing, adapting and thriving”
Rebecca Williams, business and marketing director, BBC Studioworks
Another unexpected but welcome evolution has been large-scale event hosting. We’re now using our spaces — and our broadcast infrastructure — for premium screenings and functions. From events for Amazon’s Saltburn and Disney, these partnerships have introduced us to new sectors and creative networks, all while reinforcing our commitment to world-class production.
In today’s climate, survival is no longer a given. But at BBC Studioworks, we’re not just surviving, we’re growing, adapting and thriving. We remain deeply committed to our core television clients, while boldly expanding into adjacent markets. Change isn’t something we fear — it’s something we lean into.
Commissioning trends may ebb and flow, but our resilience lies in our creativity and our commitment to being the partner the industry needs — whatever the season.
