Post by Kev on Apr 19, 2004 6:44:14 GMT -5
AT LEAST two national television broadcasters are planning to make Liverpool's reign as Capital of Culture a major focus of their schedules for 2008.
The BBC has told the Culture Company that its executives are considering it as one of the major events of the next 10 years.
A Channel Five insider has also indicated the broadcaster is interested in becoming involved in the city's celebrations.
Jason Harborow, Tourism and Operations Director for Liverpool Culture Company, said: "The BBC told us that they have European Capital of Culture in 2008 down on their calendar as one of the major events of the next 10 years.
"It's extremely encouraging and shows what we can make of the title. We are determined that the national, and international, media spotlight will be on Liverpool."
An insider at Channel Five said: "We are very keen to be involved.
"Liverpool will attract a lot of international media attention in 2008 and we very much want to be a part of that."
Last week, Channel Five announced it had chosen Liverpool from a list of regional cities to pilot its Five Arts Cities scheme.
A series of television programmes, featuring the city's arts organisations and projects, will be broadcast throughout the rest of this year, highlighting why Liverpool was chosen as European Capital of Culture.
The Tate's exhibition, A Secret History of Clay: From Gauguin to Gormley, will be featured in a programme of its own. There is also a two-part series planned on the Liverpool Biennial Visual Arts Festival, from September to November with exhibitions by local, national and international artists, in venues across the city.
Channel Five is also planning community-based arts projects to take place over the next eight months.
The broadcaster is believed to be in talks with Liverpool's former Capital of Culture rival, Newcastle, about taking over the Five Arts Cities scheme in 2005.
Cllr Joe Anderson, leader of the Labour opposition and member of the Liverpool Culture Company board, said: "It is great news that broadcasters want to come here.
"It gives us the opportunity to showcase the city and the developments that are taking place here.
"It means that we need to make sure that we take advantage of it and sell the city's good points as strongly as we possibly can.
"It is also a financial boost for Liverpool as television coverage is advertising."
From Liverpool Echo.
Good News eh?
