Corinthian Television (CTV) Facilities is spending #15m on fitting out a new 85,000 sq ft building at the Chiswick Park development in west London, writes Barbara Marshall
CTV Facilities chief executive Mike Silverman declined to reveal the client, describing it as 'the UK arm of a major US digital media group', but it is understood the new building will provide dedicated post-production, transmission and live studio services for Disney which currently uses the facilities at RTL Group's London Playout Centre (formerly Pearson).Due for completion in October this year, the new facility will incorporate two studios of 2,800 sq ft as well as eight edit suites, a graphics suite and play-out facilities. The facility has been designed by Television Partnership International and is being fitted out by Neil Wilson Enterprises.CTV Facilities has taken a 17-year lease on the building with a starting rent of £3m per annum.Silverman has recently rejoined CTV Facilities as chief executive to head up the Disney project some 17 years after selling the company he originally founded with partners Barry Johnstone and Janet Marbrook to Carlton Television. Although Johnstone remained with the company, leading it through a management buyout in 1995 before selling the outside broadcast division, which he now runs, to US facilities group National Mobile Television (Broadcast 25.6.99), Silverman and Marbrook moved on. However, the team will shortly be reunited as Marbrook joins as chief operating officer in two months' time. Johnstone remains as non-executive chairman.