BBC to stop recording The Archers in Birmingham for first time in its 75-year history

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Who published it, and when

How it spread - 3 original reports, 1 reprint

1. Mon, 12 October 2026

   1 report
   • The Guardian World19:56first to report
     BBC to stop recording The Archers in Birmingham for first time in its 75-year history

     Plans for a new theatre for world’s longest-running soap in Digbeth scrapped as part of cost-cutting measures The BBC is set to stop recording The Archers in Birmingham for the first time in the show’s 75-year history, after scrapping plans for a radio drama theatre that was to be the new home of the world’s longest-running soap opera. A pledge to move recordings to the so-called Tea Factory, the BBC’s new Birmingham hub in Digbeth, has become the latest victim of the corporation’s £500m cuts...

2. Wed, 14 October 2026

   1 report
   • The Guardian World17:12
     The Archers cast ‘angry’ at BBC decision to scrap new Birmingham studio

     Ben Norris says cost-cutting measure that means show will be recorded outside its home city risks ‘extraordinary burden’ for crew A cast member of The Archers has said its actors have been angered by the BBC’s decision to axe the show’s new studio, in a move that could lead to it being recorded away from its home in Birmingham. Ben Norris, who plays Ben Archer in the world’s longest-running soap opera, said the decision risked having a real impact on the quality of the show and placing an...

3. Fri, 16 October 2026

   1 report
   • The Guardian World15:24
     Judi Dench joins calls by The Archers cast to keep show in Birmingham

     The actor, who made a cameo in the Radio 4 drama in 1989, has signed a letter urging BBC not to move studio elsewhere The cast and crew behind The Archers, including the one-time guest star Judi Dench, have written to the BBC director general urging him to keep the recording of the Radio 4 drama in Birmingham. It emerged this week that the corporation was planning to stop recording the rural community soap opera in the city for the first time in the show’s 75-year history, after it scrapped...

     1 reprint

     • aol.co.uk16 Oct, 15:24their copy