BBC Studios and Post Production’s (BBC S&PP) HD upgrade of all the major studios at Television Centre (TVC) has almost been completed, with the £1.5m refit of Studios Two and Three due to be finished by early next month.

The studios already deliver HD via flyaway equipment but the investment will allow more HD productions to be delivered simultaneously, according to BBC S&PP commercial manager Charlotte Forde.

“This is the most cost-effective way of providing what our customers are asking for,” Forde said.

The majority of the £1.5m spend will go on kit for the 8,000 sq ft Studio Three, which will have eight Sony HDC 1500 cameras, a Sony vision mixer and monitors.

BBC S&PP has also bought a Snell Cygnus router and Crystal Vision signal converters, with kit to be installed by ATG Broadcast.

The 3,500 sq ft Studio Two will have its HD flyaway kit installed on a permanent basis.

Forde said that BBC S&PP was preparing for the sale of Television Centre, which could see the wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC remain at the site or move elsewhere.

“The reason we have invested is because of the demands of our customers. If needed, the major investments can be removed from the studios and transported.”

The upgrade is due to be completed by 8 September, when Studio Three will provide the setting for ITV1 show Britain’s Best Dish - The Chefs, (pictured) which was previously recorded at The London Studios.

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