BBC Studioworks safely returns audiences

Following the government’s easing of lockdown restrictions, BBC Studioworks has safely welcomed studio audiences back to its facilities this week. 

Adhering to strict covid-secure protocols, BBC Studioworks is reimplementing its successful approach to socially distanced studio audiences, having been the first UK TV studio to safely reintroduce this production service in August 2020. The following productions will be recorded over the coming days with live audiences present: 

• The Goes Wrong Show, a Big Talk/Mischief Screen in association with Lionsgate production for the BBC 
• The Jonathan Ross Show, a Hotsauce TV/ITV Studios production for ITV 
• Piers Morgan Life Stories, an ITV Studios production for ITV 
• The Martin Lewis Money Show, a Multistory Media production for ITV 

Audiences at all shows will be subject to stringent safety measures and protocols including mandatory temperature checks with thermal cameras before entry and the wearing of face masks. Entry and departure to the studios will be staggered with audience members sitting in their assigned bubbles and seats not occupied will be clearly marked. Hand sanitising stations have also been reinstalled in the outside queuing areas and by the studio doors. 

In addition, all audience members will be required to complete a covid declaration by the ticketing or production company. 

“We’re delighted to enable the safe return of audiences for our clients,” said Jon Noakes, commercial director, BBC Studioworks. “For the type of light entertainment productions we facilitate, there’s nothing quite like a live audience and the fullness of audience participation to add atmosphere. While we’ve achieved some really clever remote audience solutions in partnership with our clients during lockdown, such as the virtual audience for Saturday Night Takeaway for ITV, there’s no substitute for in-house audience reactions.”