ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the characteristics of the media cities and how they are changing the spatialities of national and international creative industry activity, as well as how they are affecting locally, incumbent activity that existed beforehand. Part of the mantra of all media cities is to provide the latest cutting edge technological facilities. The media cities of the world are clearly seen as key strategic policies by local and national governments. MediaCity UK in Salford already has the BBC, but ITV is relocating there, as well as many of the country's leading independent TV production companies. The rise of the media city policy concept and its prominence as a creative industry cluster is clearly an important characteristic, but of equal merit is its relevance in the international network of globalized media production. Media cities, in their clamour to attract media companies are offering state-of-the-art technology and facilities that will not only attract permanent business residents, but also short-term, project-led work.
