Nobody's perfect... but

Ok, none of them were perfect, but which is your perfect ITV company?

For me, it would have to be TVS. They genuinely tried hard to make the bigtime, an ambition which ultimately caused their downfall. They produced high quality network programming, whilst remaining loyal to the South. In my opinion, losing TVS was the biggest mistake of the franchise round. In the IBA days they probably would have been bailed out rather than sinking towards bankruptcy.

I believe that if TVS had continued to exist, they could have gone on to become one of the main programme makers. I always imagine they would've produced Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Not sure why.

I realise the complications behind the scenes towards the end, but despite their financial problems, I'd still place them as the perfect ITV company.

For some strange reason, Matt, I agree with you.

I used to like 'Cats Eyes' meself !

The perfect company, well Thames Television, getting them replaced by CARLTON, was the biggest mistake in ITV history.

But why? I know Thames might be the obvious choice when thinking of popular companies, but what makes it the perfect ITV company? The most perfect doesn't have to be the most popular.

Personally i'd say that Thames wasn't really as loyal to its broadcast area as it could have been.

Scottish televison well, to my knowalge it the only lienice that has not been lost OR changed!!! in anyway. and STV also opt -out of itv programmes more than everyone eles even grampian.

But I would put my money on central. with all thoses good programmes & at least when it took over form, ATV it was in the same leuge as atv unlike carlton

but I can't see what the fuss was with TVS

I'm inclined to agree there. Thames was undoubtedly a giaint of the ITV network - but have proved that they're still a massive production company without owning a franchise.

I always thought the reason for TVS failing in their attempt to renew their franchise was amazing. In a competition that awarded the company that bid the highest...TVS was refused because they bid too high and wasn't seen as good business sense.

I think the fact this company was allowed to disappear when companies that have contributed very little to the network over the years were allowed to stay because they faced no competition.

I applaud you Sir. So it wasn't just because i grew up with TVS that I thought it was good then.

How can you say this? Thames was extremely old fashioned, in work practices, in on-screen presentation and in its programmes. Yes it had huge hits in the 70s and 80s but by the beginning of the 1990s it was time for a change, time to end the "Big 5" domination of the ITV network.

Yes, while Carlton's early programming was utter dross, it brought in a gateway to the future with modern way of commissioning and producing programmes, and a more London-centred approach to presentation and local programming.

Meanwhile, Thames was forced to change, to move away from resting on it's past laurels. It was made into a tight, modern production company which still survives today thanks to the owner companies keeping a treasured brand name.

are you suggesting thats a good thing (for the viewers)?

carlton has never made any good shows!!!!
and i'm sure it was said before but carlton never made a single programme itself and got other poeple to make them!

and when has carlton had a central approach to presentation and local programming? thames had the river thames while cartlon has those bad idents

Yes, because it was the London franchise!



Carlton was a broadcaster yes, much like Channel 4 is still - C4 doesn't make any programme itself, and never has [apart from Right to Reply].