MediaCityUK owner Peel Media is still hopeful of persuading ITV to move to the Salford site despite the broadcaster ruling out a deal last month.

ITV said that shows such as Coronation Street and The Jeremy Kyle Show would stay at Granada Quay Studios after Peel “dramatically scaled back its financial commitment to the ITV element of the project”. Channel 4 quiz Countdown will also move to Quay Studios this summer from ITV's mothballed Yorkshire studio in Leeds.

The broadcaster is understood to consider the decision to stay at Quay Studios as permanent, unless Peel dramatically overhauls the deal on the table.

Peel Media chairman Bryan Gray said that he understood the economic climate made the move difficult. “If I were ITV, I wouldn't want to spend my time on any relocation that isn't time-critical. Now isn't the time to have these discussions, but the offer is there whenever ITV is ready. I very much want ITV to come to MediaCity. We put a strong offer on the table and hope to discuss the opportunities.”

Some ITV staff are likely to work at MediaCity if plans to share the BBC's regional news facilities are approved.

Five BBC departments, including children's and Five Live, will move to MediaCity when it opens in late 2010. The other major confirmed tenant is the University of Salford.