Channel television network contributions

Why was westward give the original (not oriental )feed instead of Southern?

I was also wondering if Westward/TSW/TVS/Meridian gave any special consideration (whether willingly or by order) to Channel in their presentation, such as avoiding slow fades into programmes or allowing an extra second or two before coming out of a programme, to allow Channel a clean opt. Or was it a case of Channel got what they were given?

Westward/TSW/TVS/Meridian inserted data into the VBI that was used by Channel. I'm not sure if this was a specific requirement of the IBA / ITC or just used to automate and simply the process.

As I said three hours ago Yes. There were normally 'V Cuts' into and out of programmes, and end credit voice overs were generic.

Sorry - somehow missed that, but thanks for the response.

I think because the VHF transmitter at Stockland Hill gave the best overall reception results out of the three available ?

When UHF came, it was still the case. Rowridge (Southern/TVS) had to have a very sharp but intense beam towards Cherbourg added for the TVS SABRE (which required a lot of negotiation with the French)
Rowridge UHF was (and still is) subject to very stringent regulations about its radiation out to sea and towards France.

In the One Day In The Life Of Television book, Tony Scott Warren, Channel's head announcer/network director/promotions producer/everything else, says that they were very much at the mercy of TVS, and they were forever frustrated when they hit the junctions on time, only to then have to wait a few seconds because TVS were overrunning and missing the start of programmes. So seemingly not.

I'm surprised no contractor pitched to do Channel's presentation during the 90s (such as HTV who was already overseeing Westcountry's). Could have saved Channel a bit of money and been a cheap moneyspinner for whoever did it.

Surely that would have meant doubling up the issues with connectivity? They'd have to set up a video feed from the islands for news and local programmes, as well as to them.


That was eventually needed for DSat distribution but not until the turn of the century, and even then it was a bodge for a while

Even if offered, Channel TV was fiercely independent, until shortly before ITV's final offer and acceptance, and would have rebutted any such offer.

That's not quite true, as they were using ITV1 branding for a number of years before being bought by ITV plc (they used ITV1 idents with Channel Television added underneath), with Channel Television idents only appearing before local programming.

Not necessarily. The local news and programmes could have been opted in to a feed with the idents, promos and network programmes.