Maidstone The Maidstone Studios
The Maidstone Studios (formerly called TVS Television Centre) is a studio complex, located at Vinters Park in Maidstone, Kent, UK. It is UK's largest independent TV studio complex and has been home to a variety of different independent British TV programming including Catchphrase, CBeebies, Jools' Annual Hootenanny, Later... with Jools Holland and Take Me Out. The complex has two studios, Studio 1 and Studio 2. Both can be used for large sets with Studio 1 being the flagship HD studio. Former studios include Studio 1 (small/medium sets), Studio 3 (small sets), Studio 4 (blue screen) and The American Diner (filming location). Maidstone also has 4 edit suites, 1 dubbing suite, dressing and green rooms, production and wardrobe departments, scenery departments, transmission and playback facilities.
Opening in 1982, the site was originally home to Television South (TVS). As part of the agreement between TVS and Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), they had to provide the studio facility for the South East region. The site was providing broadcasting and production output for TVS and was also used as a regional office and a newsgathering hub, broadcasting the South East daily edition of Coast to Coast. When TVS lost it's franchise in 1991, the facility was retained with a view of TVS becoming an independent production company. TVS and the studios were bought by International Family Entertainment Inc. and the studios were used as an independent production facility.
In 2002, the studios were bought by a local consortium of businessmen under the name Dovedale Associates, headed by x-BBC producer Geoff Miles. In 2005, a refurbishment programme took place, with Studio 5 (now Studio 1) opening, which, between April 2013, after BBC Television Centre's closure, and December 2018, was the home of BBC 2's show "Later... with Jools Holland". Since 2019, the show moved back to the BBC TV Centre.
Muse appearances
- 2015-10-02 (Later... with Jools Holland)
- 2015-05-26 (Later... with Jools Holland)
Venue address
The Maidstone Studios
New Cut Road
Vinters Business Park
Maidstone ME14 5NZ
United Kingdom