Studios lose Proms

It was a surprise when the BBC put out tv coverage of the Proms to tender; there'll be more puzzlement that the contract for such a central BBC product has gone to a fairly-newly formed indie.

Livewire Pictures emerged just before the tender process started, in June 2018. We're not talking Ramsgate Ferries here - Livewire's MD is Guy Freeman, who's had 12 years off and on doing live music shows with the BBC. He has the substantial backing of Hat Trick Productions, and is in partnership with agent Anita Land (Michael Grade's sister). Nonetheless, the only Livewire show for the BBC to date is Ariana Grande at The BBC

They win a minimum of 24 BBC Proms concerts including;
- 22 concerts on BBC Four
- First Night of the Proms on BBC Two
- Last Night of the Proms on BBC Two and BBC One including the performance capture of Proms in the Park but does not include the capture for the BBC Proms events in the Nations
- Proms in the Park and the Radio 2 Festival in a Day for the BBC’s digital and online platforms
- Seven review shows, currently billed as Proms Extra, on BBC Two

Those who have worked tirelessly for the BBC over the years on the tv Proms will want to know if the Livewire bid was better or just cheaper....Fran Kemp, the last Executive Producer Proms TV at the BBC, has been working on the concerts for 34 years.