US broadcasting giant to open production office in North West

American media and broadcasting giant Viacom International Studios has announced plans to open a new production office in Manchester.

The move is part of an ongoing expansion of its production resources in both English and Spanish languages.

The new production centre follows a successful launch in Latin America last year. It is also part of the huge growth in demand for online content.

The move has been covered in the international trade press including Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.

Jill Offman has been appointed to run Viacom’s London-based production house, Elephant House Studios, which is being rebranded as Viacom International Studios UK.

The Manchester production office will produce English-language commissions from third party broadcasters and distributors based in the UK.

It will be based at the dock10 studios in MediaCity in Salford Quays.

Dock10’s studios and specialist post production services are used to make everything from popular prime time shows to commercials and corporate films for leading brands.

It will also support Viacom’s own pay-TV channels and productions for Channel 5.

David Lynn, chief executive of Viacom International Media Networks, said: “Broadcasters and streamers are in a global ‘arms race’ for the best content, which represents a significant growth opportunity for Viacom with our international studio capacity and in-built creative expertise.

“As our competitors become more vertically integrated, Viacom is free to forge much deeper partnerships with all kinds of distributors internationally and for all types of content.”

Mark Senior, chief executive at dock10, added: “We are delighted by Viacom’s decision to establish a permanent base here at dock10, and we warmly welcome the team to our facilities.

“We have long enjoyed an excellent relationship with Viacom, especially through our involvement with their big entertainment shows such as the RTS and BAFTA winning Jane and Friends that is filmed here for Channel 5.

“We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Viacom and continuing to work closely with them in bringing more new entertainment shows to the channel.”

Filming of a documentary series for ITV, the first programme for a non-Viacom channel, is already under way.