History
The studios were built on slum clearance land on Kirkstall Road, purchased from the former Leeds Corporation.
Construction commenced in early 1967: A mild winter aided building work and by mid-1968 studios one and two were equipped for transmission (studios three and four being completed by early 1969). The studio was officially opened by the Duchess of Kent on 29 July 1968. It was the first purpose-built colour television production centre in Europe and cost over £4 million to build and equip (at 1968 prices). Colour cameras were initially Marconi Mk7s and EMI 2001s. Both of these cameras were in use by Yorkshire until the early-mid 1980s. Some studios in The Leeds Studios used Marconi cameras, the other used EMI cameras. In 1976 the cameras in studio 3 were replaced with the Philips LDK 25 models.
During the 1970s, one set was used as a synthetic ice rink when not in use for filming.
The regional news show ITV News Calendar was produced at the centre for many years but in 1989 was moved to a dedicated newsroom and broadcast facility based in a converted roller rink next to the main studios. The programme moved back to the main studio building in October 2012.
Read more about this topic: The Leeds Studios
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