This site explores the controversies surrounding BBCs move to MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester. Issues involve amongst other things actors, public debates and the arguments for and against the move. Use the top menu to explore the site and familiarise yourself with the controversy. Many images are interactive and more content is revealed by hovering or clicking on images and links.

29 September 2004
BBC plans to move North

7 December 2004
BBC set to move to Manchester

7 January 2005
Inflated property prices in Manchester

24 June 2005
Proposal for BBC to join ITV at media village

11 October 2005
BBC requests licence fee rise

21 October 2005
Media City is one of four shortlisted sites

28 October 2005
Board of governors approves findings of feasibility study on BBC move

17 January 2006
BBC narrows shortlist to First Street (Manchester) and Media City (Salford)

15 June 2006
Media City site is chosen for BBC move

9 July 2006
Outstanding site issues resolved

1 August 2006
BBC Chairman Michael Grade is involved in conflict of interest controversy

11 October 2006
BBC staff and unions tire of uncertainty surrounding move

12 October 2006
BBC director general threatens to pull the plug on the move over licence fee row

13 October 2006
Salford chiefs and supporters of Salford BBC bid accuse the BBC of holding them hostage

15 October 2006
Government goes on the attack after BBC threatens to abandon £400 million move over licence fee row

18 October 2006
Small core of BBC executives are 'emotionally' opposed to relocation

29 November 2006
Move is under threat as licence fee rise is like to be below-inflation

4 December 2006
BBC may be forced to go through with move by government even without its desired deal

14 December 2006
BBC governors endorse Media City move as it would represent "value for money"

18 December 2006
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell confirms costs of move would be written into licence fee settlement

19 April 2007
Planning approved for three flagship buildings for BBC in Media City

31 May 2007
BBC Press Release: Move to Salford gets green light

22 June 2007
Relocation package for employees willing to move is under review

14 January 2008
BBC is to shift a further 10% of London-based posts to Media City

11 February 2008
Blue Peter garden to be dug up and moved to rooftop location in Media City

16 June 2008
BBC staff reluctant to move to Salford

24 July 2008
Manchester council approves £5 million investment in new digital media production hub

29 August 2008
BBC revolt over plans to move to Manchester just months before 2012 Olympics

29 September 2008
BBC looking to appoint new director of BBC North responsible for Media City move

10 December 2008
Peter Salmon to head up BBC North at Media City

12 January 2009
Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell is the first big-name presenter to commit to the move

18 January 2009
BBC outlines cash incentives for staff moving to Salford

19 January 2009
BBC is criticised for offering generous relocation packages

11 February 2009
BBC Trust says there are 'significant risks' in moving BBC Children's to Media City

18 February 2009
BBC is to reduce relocation package in worsening economic climate

1 May 2009
15 out of 32 BBC bosses agree to relocate to Salford

1 July 2009
Almost 60% of BBC middle managers refuse to relocate

14 July 2009
BBC seeks new talent from local colleges and universities

12 July 2009
55% of BBC Sport middle managers agree to move

27 July 2009
Controversy over Blue Peter garden after reports it will be replaced by virtual reality version

7 August 2009
Leaked documents indicate BBC move could cost licence fee payers up to £1 billion

9 September 2009
BBC is reported to use £3 million from licence fee payers to send sport staff to cover London Olympics just a year after relocation from the capital

8 November 2009
BBC is accused of 'bribing' staff over London to Salford move

22 December 2009
Radio 5 Live's relocation begins with move of some outputs to Manchester Oxford Road BBC

11 January 2010
Move causes staffing and financial difficulties

27 January 2010
Radio 5 Live's entire daytime line up will move with station but none have committed to relocating to Salford

25 February 2010
Report on BBC's major capital projects suggests BBC Trust is unable to control how BBC uses licence fee payers' money

11 March 2010
Manchester is on the up, with Media City development, while London faces problems

17 March 2010
32 extra BBC posts are relocating to Media City

19 March 2010
Radio 5 Live move is delayed by 3 months for 'technical reasons'

19 April 2010
10,000 chase 500 BBC jobs at Media City