ANGLIA AND MERIDIAN TO CUT UP TO 100 JOBS

ANGLIA Television and Meridian Broadcasting are poised to cut around 100 jobs as a result of restructuring following the companies integration with Granada Media.
Between 20 and 30 jobs will be lost at Meridian in administration and technical areas. Anglia have predicted that between 25 and 30 jobs will be cut in studio resources and site service businesses and also the planning, scheduling and promotions operations within their broadcasting division. A further 25 to 35 jobs are to be axed, when wildlife production within the company, including that for the ‘Survival’ programme brand, is moved to United Production’s factual department based in Bristol. The reduction in staff will be spread across the Norwich and Bristol bases.
Mary McAnally, Managing Director of Meridian Broadcasting, said: “Meridian have always had a proud tradition of innovation and professionalism. As part of Granada Media we can now build on this, developing our programme, facilities and commercial operations, whilst remaining at the heart of the region.”
Anglia also announced several new appointments as part of the restructure. Bob Ledwidge has been promoted to Director of Broadcasting, with responsibility for all regional programmes, Jim Woodrow has been promoted to Broadcast Executive and Mike Molloy has been promoted to Head Of Productions for all of Anglia’s network output.
Graham Creelman, Managing Director of Anglia Television, said: “These announcements mean that Anglia are now well placed to meet the challenges of a very competitive global market place for programming. Our tremendous strength in depth and our commitment to quality production, both at a regional and national level, means that Anglia can now look forward to developing their programming, resources and commercial operations to become even bigger and better than before.”
Anglia said the decision to move wildlife production to Bristol had been taken because of significantly changed market circumstances.
John Willis, Managing Director of LWT and United Productions, said: “I understand the sadness that people will feel over the loss of ‘Survival’ in Norwich, but firmly believe it is the right decision for the future of the programme itself and of wildlife production in the UK. Our task now is to ensure that Anglia’s proud tradition of programme making innovation and talent is utilised to the full, and I will be working hard with Graham and all his team to drive more network production into Norwich.”
Both Anglia Television and Meridian Broadcasting stressed that they would seek to mitigate the job losses by offering as many people as possible suitable alternative employment within Anglia, Meridian or within the Granada group of companies. (CMcL)