ITV Regions – Nostalgia Central

Independent Television began in Britain in 1955 as a franchised network of regionally owned companies – each functioning as both a broadcaster and a production company (two in London) responsible for everything transmitted in that area.

Each of the 15 programme companies was responsible for its own branding, scheduling and advertising.

In practice, the five “central” companies – Thames, London Weekend, ATV, Granada and Yorkshire Television – concentrated on providing nationally networked programmes.

The other 10 companies, while contributing to the network, focused on programmes that reflected life in their areas.

Five were classed as large regional companies – Anglia, HTV, Scottish, Southern and Tyne Tees – while the others, classed as small, were Border, Grampian, Ulster, Westward and Channel.

They produced regional news magazines and programmes ranging from local consumer affairs to politics and light entertainment. Audiences for these local-interest programmes were often larger than those for networked shows.

ITV’s structure was more costly in terms of manpower and money than a centralised system, but it diversified control, stimulated competition, and helped generate ideas and opportunities.

Over time, some regional companies lost their franchises, were replaced by others, and the regions they covered changed.

From 1993, mergers between ITV companies became possible, and as a result, companies began to take one another over to increase efficiency and expand.

By 2004, all ITV franchises in England and Wales were owned by the newly formed ITV plc. The four other franchises were Scottish TV, Grampian TV, UTV and Channel.