Regional definitions

True enough, although as I have said before they can't design transmitters that adhere strictly to geographical regions! The main transmitters are placed more for topographical reasons; so that everywhere can pick up a decent TV signal (in theory). The television regions correspond more to that fact, rather than political boundaries

I suppose ITV might argue that ITV West is based on the historic Wessex region-- doesn't excuse ITV West's news programme for being (reputedly) cack though!

Genuine question here: Is there a good argument for ITV West to be absorbed by ITV Westcountry? It seems to make more sense to me, since ITV Westcountry and ITV West are both owned by the same company now-- I believe they share a lot of regional programming too.

<pendant> Incidentally: "For anything to be described as "West of England" it would surely have to be directly opposite East Anglia?"...... The south-west of England has been called "the West Country" for many years, even though it isn't anything like directly east of East Anglia!! Then again, Land's End in Cornwall is the most westerly point in England </pendant>

They do indeed share much non-news regional programming now.

I imagine a possible merger scenario being: New HQ for "ITV Westcountry" in somewhere central within the enlarged region (e.g. Yeovil). Possibly a comprise between the existing services' news titles (e.g. Westcountry Today/Tonight ). Small newsgathering offices retained in Plymouth and Bristol (?). Two identical studios/sets side-by-side in Yeovil (or wherever), for two "sub-regional" versions of the 6pm weekday edition.

It'd all be exactly like Calendar. Pan-regionals (i.e. most bulletins) with a backdrop of Yeovil; the two 6pm shows with the existing Tamar Bridge and Clifton Suspension Bridge backdrops (or, at least a Plymouth and a Bristol backdrop), respectively. The two 6pm shows won't necessarily stick strictly to their own sub-region, but just have a different "emphasis" - again, exactly like Calendar. So, if one of the sub-regions is having a slow news day, thay can pad out with stories from the "wrong" sub-region.



Fair point.

My point was that, the implication of a basic phrase like "the West" or "the East" is that its north/south position is pretty much central. As the phrase "the West Country" has the extra quirk of the "Country" bit, it sort of distinguishes itself from such a basic implication.

Sounds like a good way of doing things. Central is rather like that (Meridian too I believe) now. Central has joint bulletins for GMTV and weekends, but "full" subregions the rest of the time. CN East often pinches stories from overlapping regions, and it works OK.




I see what you mean fair enough I was just being pedantic

Or 'pendantic' even? Sorry, couldn't resist.

CNwest has had a habit of including some Leicester stories, for as long as I care to remember. Yet, according the map that preceeded each 6pm programme of CNwest's Herefordshire-welcoming week, the region officially comprises of: Staffs, Shrops, WM county, Warks, Worcestershire, and now Herefordshire too. So, how they equate including Leicester news stories (and the Leicester City football team, in the sports round-up) with that, I don't know...

As a resident of the fine affformentioned area, I thought I'd best stick up for it.

The West: It's not the midlands, it's not Wales, it's not the South West so where is it?

Perversely there are lots of areas of the region that could have plenty in common with the south west, but there are also large metropolitan areas such as Bristol and Swindon that would have very little to do with the south west.

Gloucester, as a city, doesn't really look to Bristol or Birmingham as it's 'next' stop city, but Taunton looks more to the south west.

So, the West, isn't really anywhere else so kind of ends up as a region in its own right out of default !

I am sorry, but Gloucester does look to Bristol as its next stop city - just ask any Gloucester rugby supporter that question. And there's the campaign that has been running in this area for the last 25 years to get rid of Midlands TV coverage and get West coverage, which is now bearing fruit. Gloucester is actually closer to Bristol than Swindon and Taunton, remember. And many of us here can remember the not too distant past when half of Bristol was in Gloucestershire (and still is for ceremonial purposes).

Aeeee....

You've lost me?! "Pendant" I've heard of; but not "pendantic"-- it isn't in my Oxford Concise either?!

I never knew that, thanks for that little factoid

CNE never has sports stories from the West Midlands region, except for Burton-upon-Trent (The Brewers); which is seen as an overlap shared between CNE and CNW-- seems odd since Sutton C is just down the road!!

You're welcome!



Ironically, I don't recall ever hearing Burton-upon-Trent mentioned on CNwest sport! But, as I'm not a sport fan, I don't really pay attention to the sports round up at all, so it may well get mentioned for all I'd notice. The only reason that I've ever noticed the mentions of Leicester City on CNwest sport is because it seems "wrong", and therefore stands out.

Going back to the subject of CNwest's Herefordshire-welcoming week...

It was interesting that during CNsouth's final week of existence, they celebrated " 18 years of Central South", but on the first Monday of the newly expanded CNwest, Bob Warman welcomed back Herefordshire viewers from a " 17 year" absence!

Presumably, CNsouth actually existed for 17 years and X months? And presumably, CNsouth chose to round-up (to make their existence sound as long as possible), whilst CNwest chose to round-down (to make Herefordshire's absence seem as short as possible)? Or something.

No!! Actually Bristol is a ceremonial county in its own right!!! Its Lord Lieutenant is Jay Tidmarsh (Gloucestershire's is Henry Elwas).

If you look at this map of the ceremonial/geographical counties of England, you'll see it is No 34 on the map

It was "revived" as a county after Avon was dissolved in 1996; and the rest of Avon was returned back to Somerset and Gloucestershire respectively.

It is worth bearing in mind that Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are officially part of South-West England (in terms of Government Regions anyway).

Unfortunately, Wikipedia is not a great choice of source for trying to prove something!