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ITV logo (2013-present)
Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters, set up under the Independent Television Authority (ITA) to provide competition to the BBC. ITV is the oldest commercial television network in the UK. Since 1990 and the "Broadcasting Act 1990", its legal name has been Channel 3, the number 3 having no real meaning other than to distinguish it from "BBC One", "BBC Two" and "Channel 4" - prior to this, the network had no legal overall name.
ITV is to be distinguished from ITV plc, the company that resulted from the merger of "Granada plc" and "Carlton Communications" in 2004 and which owns all of the Channel 3 broadcasting licences in England, Wales, the Scottish/English Border and the Isle of Man. Similarly "ITV1" was the brand used by ITV plc for the Channel 3 service in these areas between 2001 and 2013, before reverting to the name of ITV in January 2013.
History
Independent Television was created following the "Television Act 1954". The Independent Television Authority was set up to control and review the network. In the three main areas – London, the Midlands and the North of England – ITV was launched in September 1955, February 1956 and May 1956 respectively. The shape of the ITV Network and the course it has taken down the years has largely been controlled by regular refranchising rounds which occurred in 1964, 1968, 1974, 1982, and 1993. These rounds saw regions and franchise areas reshaped and franchise holders changed. Additionally, since the "Broadcasting Act 1990" the consolidation of ITV companies has also had an important bearing on the direction of the network.
The first ITV contractor to begin broadcasting was the London Weekday contractor Associated-Rediffusion, on 22 September 1955 beginning at 7.15pm. The weekend London contractor, ATV London (initially known as "ABC" until the Midlands' and North's weekend contractor, Associated British Corporation, complained), began two days later. The other regions all launched later.
Yorkshire Television, the production company of Emmerdale, is the United Kingdom ITV contractor for the Yorkshire region.
Regional Franchises
England
- Tyne Tees Television
- Yorkshire Television
- Granada Television
- ABC - Closed on 28th July 1968 and therefore never transmitted Emmerdale
- Television Wales and the West - Closed on 3rd March 1968 and therefore never transmitted Emmerdale
- Wales West and North Television - Closed on 26th January 1964 and therefore never transmitted Emmerdale
- Independent Television Service for Wales and the West - Closed on 20th May 1968 and therefore never transmitted Emmerdale
- HTV
- ATV
- Central Television
- Anglia Television
- Associated Rediffusion - Closed on 29th July 1968 and therefore never transmitted Emmerdale
- Thames Television
- Carlton Television
- London Weekend Television
- Southern Television
- Television South
- Meridian Broadcasting
- Westward Television
- Television South West
- Westcountry
- Channel Television