GREATER Manchester's newest TV station is set to move into the iconic Urbis building - heralding a new era in television production.

Channel M, the region's only dedicated news and entertainment channel, has reached in-principle agreement to occupy the ground floor of the £30m "museum of city life".

Media chiefs said the venture could untap new broadcasting talent while allowing schoolchildren to visit the studios to see how programmes are made.

The move would see news production, editing suites, back office functions and the Breakfast Show moved to Urbis as early as autumn.

Mark Dodson, chief executive of Channel M, said: "We are very excited about moving to Urbis, which is an exceptional building in a wonderful location.

"Channel M is Manchester's only dedicated local news and entertainment channel. Over the past five years, we have developed the station to the city's most comprehensive TV source of up-to-the-minute news and information that we know really matters to people living and working in the Manchester city-region.

"Manchester is an outstanding city, recognised nationally and internationally for its spirit and excitement. We are proud to support and be part of its continued development."

Experience

The move is likely to be cemented when the city council's ruling executive meet today.

Richard Leese, leader of the council, said: "The iconic Urbis building has brought new life to Manchester's Millennium Quarter and has become a symbol of our reclaimed status as a world-class city. We are delighted that Channel M, a company on the cutting-edge of digital broadcasting, has expressed interest in relocating with a use that is totally complementary to Urbis's visitor experience."

Channel M's move will also launch a new era in Manchester for its owners, the Guardian Media Group. The Manchester Evening News - another GMG company - is moving to a state-of-the-art building in Spinningfields next year.

Paul Horrocks, editor of Channel M's sister newspaper, the Manchester Evening News, said: "I am really pleased to see this company's links with the city strengthened through Channel M's move to Urbis. There is great value for both Channel M and Urbis in the development of educational aspects of television for schoolchildren who will be able to see how a TV station operates. It will also help grow the broadcasters of tomorrow from the pool of talent we already have within our region."

Urbis came under fire for lower than expected ticket sales when it opened in 2002. The scrapping of a £5 entry charge has seen visitor numbers pick up and early this month Vaughan Allen - a former writer for the Big Issue - was named as the new chief executive.

The Liberal Democrat opposition on the council has criticised the fact Manchester taxpayers are subsiding Urbis by £2m a year.

Marc Ramsbottom, group finance spokesman, said: "This is a good deal for Channel M but there is no let-up for the council tax payer. Urbis will cost a substantial amount every year and the council seems to be burying its head in the sand."

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