ITV Franchise Losers

Having never lived in an area where a franchise changed hands (ie. Yorkshire TV) can anyone tell me what it was like when the losers broadcast for the last time. I'm thinking TVS, TSW, Thames, did they have special programming, and are the replacement channels an improvement ?

Thames had an on screen goodbye message then they played the ident for the last time, it stayed onscreen for a few seconds then faded to black
a few seconds later Carlton began with a new years day program beginning at 12:00am after that
we saw the logo for the first time.

I was so young at the time i remember being in my Nan's house and i cried when thames made the announcement.

I have never looked back though!

TVS had a special programme with Fred Dinage and Fern Britton.
Called 'Goodbye to all that'.
It was very good and TVS were played out with their fanfare music and a final adapted ident that spun around from the shell logo to TVS with the words 'Thanks for Watching' at the bottom.
I have the final bit if you like.
TWS changed with the two 'faces' of TSW sitting on the sofa talking about everything TSW and how sad they were, TSW did of course have a special programme and on launch night TSW had possibly the best launch programme ever.
The whole events of 1992/3 are captured on Crossover TV ::


http://www.russ-net.co.uk/

this includes schedules for the day and Real Video of the final moments.
Download TVS first, it's better than the others.

I too remember TVS going and in comming Meridian. Although, I sometimes wonder, considering that TVS had the highest bid, if perhaps the ITC perhaps 'got rid' of TVS, for the the mistake the IBA made in 'getting rid' of Southern TV back in the early eighties.

Erm,obviously I can't remember it,because I was 4,and it was 12:00 am,but I heard that the goodbye message ended,then a special Thames ident appeared with all highlights of their shows,with Annie Lennox singing 'I only want to be with you'. Then,at the end,you heard someone say 'Thames. A talent for televison.' then the ITN news special with the Big ben chimes and THEN CARLtON started:didn't it?



I remember when This Morning finished and I was ready to watch Playbox and what came on? The David Dimbleby show 'or something like that' AHHHHHHHHH!!!!


(Edited by Billy Hicks88 at 10:52 am on June 20, 2001)

Ignore this message,I did it by mistake.

(Edited by Billy Hicks88 at 10:54 am on June 20, 2001)

Until 1968, Yorkshire viewers got Granada on weekdays and ABC on weekends. See TV Ark.

Well what I meant was during my lifetime, I wasn't around in 1968.

Why didn't you just say that in the first place!?

It is quite clear to me that you have an attitude problem. So, my recommendation is that you are locked in a room for 12 hours and forced to watch Wellbeing. Perhaps this will rid you of these negative feelings and make you a much nicer human being.

Ocarcle handed over to Teletext UK (as it was known then) on 1993

(Edited by Ashley Elford at 7:50 pm on June 20, 2001)

Well the handover of teletext broadcasters doesn't compare to the transition of a TV company, that is what I was interested in.