Reading Room chosen by the BBC for @North initiative

19/02/2010 - Manchester

We are delighted to be 1 of the 24 NW creative companies to become involved with an interactive initiative being carried out by BBC @North.

The digital, production, TV, design and gaming companies chosen have been selected to become involved in the initative being led by BBC Children’s, which will move to Salford’s MediaCity next year as part of the BBC’s relocation.

We will be soon gathering to work in small groups with senior subject experts in both Children’s content and technology, in an effort to learn more about working with the corporation. We have to come up with some brilliant ideas during workshops over the next month, with the best being put forward towards the final commissioning selection process.

The BBC anticipates that four final projects maybe commissioned with a total budget of £500,000 for CBBC and Cbeebies.

Peter Salmon BBC Director North said: “I am very encouraged by the level of interest we have had in the @North initiative with over 100 companies formally applying. This is a new way of working for us and, as well as more detailed work with the companies we are announcing today, we intend to stay in contact with all the companies who have expressed interest in relation to future opportunities.”

Adrian Mills, leading the project on behalf of BBC Children's, added: “This new development process is about bringing people, technology and creativity together. We are excited to be working with the successful companies across the North to help develop bold ideas into fresh new content for our online users and audiences.”

The successful commissions are likely to be announced in September.