1989-90 What if?

Thames had apathetic shareholders. Neither Thorn Emi or Rediffusion had any real interest in television by the end.

I'm certain the ridiculous bid is what cost TVS the franchise, but I don't think retaining the franchise would have changed the course of history too much. Whatever they had bid, they would have had to have considerably downsized to pretty much become a publisher broadcaster (as Meridian) with many departments being spun off as indies (which actually happened). There's every chance they could have been rescued by Flextech (as happened to HTV) and therefore Flextech's channels could have wound up based at Maidstone (as actually happened).

Although if TVS had gone on past 1993, presumably The Family Channel would never have existed (as I imagine IFE wouldn't have bought TVS) and then possibly no Challenge either.

Of course we could spend forever going on about possible alternate histories, as we have no idea what would have transpired if something happened differently.

But Flextech already had interests in satellite channels by 1992 and a few years later bought a stake in HTV (rescuing it from the brink) with the aim of using their facilities to produce programmes for the channels. It didn't materialise that way, but TVS would have been in a prime position for that sort of investment/rescue.

As you say, it's all hypothetical.

I mentioned the rumour that TVS and LWT would have set up a satellite TV channel together had TVS won in 1991 a few pages back.

I have no idea how far the idea progressed but a satellite channel showing programmes from the back catalogues of TVS, LWT, and MTM could certainly have helped to pay off some of the £59.8m that TVS was paying for its licence.

If TVS was later acquired by Carlton or Granada then would they have most likely continued with the satellite channel or axed it?

That is true, though as mentioned above the rule didn't change to specify a 'UK broadcaster' till much later

Was that LWTs aim?

Investment banks normally buy things that will make them money. For another TV company buying them means more territory and cost cutting through synergies

MTM turned out to be a toxic financial asset and IMO was responsible for TVS losing in 1991 rather than the sky high bid. What would have been the biggest liability after 1993, MTM or the £59.8m a year for its licence?[/quote]
Not sure which is worse, but together they were huge

Of course, if TVS had won the south/south east franchise we would have access to the full archive today.....

..(dives under desk and seeks safe refuge)

Was that am actual rumour at the time or just TV Forum fantasy? Certainly in the aftermath of the collapse of BSB it would seem like a bit of an odd time to think of that



How much money do you think a satellite TV channel made in 1993!?

I could have told you the same in the early 1990s. It came from an inside source.

TVS was quite an ambitious and visionary company that felt 'restrained' by the big 5 when trying to network programmes until it got friendly with LWT.



Depends on the programmes but as it would be showing stuff that was already tried and tested material then it could potentially have been a profitable venture. It's not like a niche TV channel or one that has to produce its own programmes. Whether it would have plugged the £59.8m hole is anybody's guess.

Nowhere near. I don't know how well UK Gold did financially in the early/mid 90s but it wouldn't have made much of a profit.... and that had a superior back catalogue of programming to show.


I worked for a satellite channel in 1996, there wasn't big money in it

The biggest what if, is, what if the 1991 franchise round was done in the same way as the 1980 franchise round, in that it was based on quality, and ideas, and not necccessarily on who had the fattest wallet? What changes would there have been then, if any?

Hard to say. In terms of quality the likes of Thames would have survived due to their powerful line up. Yorkshire and Granada because of their drama/soaps output