The London Studios

The London Studios (also known as The London Television Centre, LWT Studios or later as ITV Studios) is a television studio complex which is owned by London Weekend Television and has been home to the London Weekend ITV provider since 1972. It is in the heart of London and is situated on the South Bank next to IBM and the Royal National Theatre.

The studios are easily recognisable by the distinctive 21 storey black and white layered tower (called Kent House), standing proud in the London skyline. Sandwiched between the tower block and the River Thames is the main studio block, housing the three largest studios (1, 2 and 3), the restaurant, the studio cafe, offices, make-up and wardrobe.

When LWT succeeded ATV for the London weekend ITV franchise in 1968, it bought Associated-Rediffusion's old studios at Wembley. Although successfully converted for TV in the 1950s, the new LWT wanted its own, new, modern studios and so designs were soon drawn up.

The site for the development was chosen besides the new Royal National Theatre on the South Bank of the River Thames. It was originally called The South Bank Television Centre (a name that lasted until the early 1990's) and at the time was the most advanced television centre in Europe.

The largest studio on the complex is home to programmes such as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, The Graham Norton Show and Al Murray's Happy Hour. The studio has a permanent fixed balcony seating area, which along with movable seating; the studio can accommodate audiences of nearly 600. This makes the studio popular for large audience based shows.

Other studios in the complex have been home to such shows as Have I Got News For You, Don't Forget the Lyrics, Loose Women, ITV Sport Specials and Katie & Peter: Unleashed.

The studios are at the heart of audience-winning shows. The six studios are just minutes away from Westminster and the West End and are able to offer the best in production quality and a convenient location.

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Contact details for the London Studios tel: 020 7157 5555, fax: 020 7157 5757, email: [email protected]

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