The Leeds Studios (also known as Yorkshire Television Studios or YTV Studios) is located in Kirkstall Road, Leeds and is where the studio scenes from the show has been filmed since Emmerdale's inception in 1972 to 1989 and again from 2011 to date.
Background[]
The Leeds Studios were originally the home of Yorkshire Television and are now owned by ITV plc. The complex houses the main studios and administrative headquarters of ITV Yorkshire. The studios are where many ITV programmes have been produced, of course including Emmerdale.
The front of the main studio buildings has, in the past, acted as the main entrance to Hotten General in Emmerdale.
Studios' History[]
The studios were built on slum clearance land on Kirkstall Road, purchased from the former Leeds Corporation.
Construction commenced in early 1967: A mild winter aided building work and by mid-1968 studios, one and two were equipped for transmission (studios three and four being completed by early 1969). The studio was officially opened by the Duchess of Kent on 29th July 1968. It was the first purpose-built colour television production centre in Europe and cost over £4 million (at 1968 prices) to build and equip.
Filming of Emmerdale[]
Emmerdale Farm years: 1972-1989[]
Interior scenes for Emmerdale Farm were filmed at the studios from 1972 to 1989. In 1989, more studio space was required, and as the show was to drop the word "Farm" from the title and introduce more characters and families, a new studio was found at a converted woollen mill in Farsley, Leeds. This was Sunny Bank Mills Studio.
Emmerdale years: 2011-present[]
As of 28th March 2011, HD-capable studios in the ITV Studios building were used for most of the interior scenes in Emmerdale.
The front of the main studio buildings have in the past and continues to be used as the main entrance to Hotten General Hospital in Emmerdale.