NW
I'm stuck between two companies really, both Granada and TV-am.
For Granada they have managed to make loads of successful regional and networked programmes across the years, the most powerful being Coronation Street, but don't forget others such as The Jewel In The Crown, Brideshead Revisited, Cracker, Prime Suspect, Band Of Gold the list could go on all night. Don't forget they also made such programmes as World In Action, being very powerful to the audience bring such things as Seven Up to the screens. Also it continues to be strong to this very day, which is difficult to achieve, considering the only other Non-London based ITV Station being Yorkshire.
Now for TV-am, I am not choosing this for it's Programmes, but in the influence it had. The first being that it could prove that miracles could happen, conisdering the station was on the verge of collapse in 1983, then Thanks to a certain Rat, the ratings turned around and the station became popular and profitable. The Second reason is that it was probably the first of the 'New' ITV companies, as it managed to break the Unions, when at that time the Unions could take ITV off the air, which happened quite often in those days. Not only it managed to break the Unions, but it also helped influence the government in the way how they wanted ITV to be run. Though it was never to be around to see how the new ITV (which to some extent they created) would be run.
For Granada they have managed to make loads of successful regional and networked programmes across the years, the most powerful being Coronation Street, but don't forget others such as The Jewel In The Crown, Brideshead Revisited, Cracker, Prime Suspect, Band Of Gold the list could go on all night. Don't forget they also made such programmes as World In Action, being very powerful to the audience bring such things as Seven Up to the screens. Also it continues to be strong to this very day, which is difficult to achieve, considering the only other Non-London based ITV Station being Yorkshire.
Now for TV-am, I am not choosing this for it's Programmes, but in the influence it had. The first being that it could prove that miracles could happen, conisdering the station was on the verge of collapse in 1983, then Thanks to a certain Rat, the ratings turned around and the station became popular and profitable. The Second reason is that it was probably the first of the 'New' ITV companies, as it managed to break the Unions, when at that time the Unions could take ITV off the air, which happened quite often in those days. Not only it managed to break the Unions, but it also helped influence the government in the way how they wanted ITV to be run. Though it was never to be around to see how the new ITV (which to some extent they created) would be run.
NE
I think a certain Mr G Dyke might appreciate a little of the credit for that turnaround
nwtv2003 posted:
The first being that it could prove that miracles could happen, conisdering the station was on the verge of collapse in 1983, then Thanks to a certain Rat, the ratings turned around and the station became popular and profitable.
I think a certain Mr G Dyke might appreciate a little of the credit for that turnaround
MA
No way ! ( I live in the Southern/TVS/Mer region) their local news output was tired, just as Southern's was towards the end, they simply recycled local police and LA press statements without any journalistic input or questioning of 'facts'. With the Falklands and Gulf War they wasted hour's of airtime recycling ITN footage pretending both were significant local stories (which they weren't) with nothing really to add.
They neglected the north of the region, (despite from 1988 having a 5 min opt out on Hannington). I recall in 1990 a major fire in one of Basingstoke's office blocks, it took almost 24 hours for TVS to broadcast any pictures. Pathetic, (not that BBC South were any better)
Network wise Granada were streets ahead of any other ITV station, I can't comment on local programming, I didn't see enough on trips to the region.
Whataday posted:
Ok, none of them were perfect, but which is your perfect ITV company?
For me, it would have to be TVS.
For me, it would have to be TVS.
No way ! ( I live in the Southern/TVS/Mer region) their local news output was tired, just as Southern's was towards the end, they simply recycled local police and LA press statements without any journalistic input or questioning of 'facts'. With the Falklands and Gulf War they wasted hour's of airtime recycling ITN footage pretending both were significant local stories (which they weren't) with nothing really to add.
They neglected the north of the region, (despite from 1988 having a 5 min opt out on Hannington). I recall in 1990 a major fire in one of Basingstoke's office blocks, it took almost 24 hours for TVS to broadcast any pictures. Pathetic, (not that BBC South were any better)
Network wise Granada were streets ahead of any other ITV station, I can't comment on local programming, I didn't see enough on trips to the region.
TT
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.
I don't think Thames was the one that should have gone. And what it was replaced with was pretty dire. Carlton was the looks nice, but has little behind it company.
Having recently visited the old Broad Street studios of Central, what Carlton did to that company is nothing short of disgusting really. And the staff at Central tend to agree.
I think ATV were maybe one of the best ITV stations, well with Lew Grade anyway, that attitude of being a tv station first and a business second. Taking risks with shows, having a bit of fun and a family feel.
Unlike today where its a business first and the viewers come last.
lovin_it posted:
harshy posted:
The perfect company, well Thames Television, getting them replaced by CARLTON, was the biggest mistake in ITV history.
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.
I don't think Thames was the one that should have gone. And what it was replaced with was pretty dire. Carlton was the looks nice, but has little behind it company.
Having recently visited the old Broad Street studios of Central, what Carlton did to that company is nothing short of disgusting really. And the staff at Central tend to agree.
I think ATV were maybe one of the best ITV stations, well with Lew Grade anyway, that attitude of being a tv station first and a business second. Taking risks with shows, having a bit of fun and a family feel.
Unlike today where its a business first and the viewers come last.
SA
Central and Channel!
Central have only made one ident i don't like,which is the 1983 one.And they don't just make fantastic idents! They were like ATV [and were ATV technically] because of the shows they've made.CiTV wouldn't be here without them either.
And Channel.They're warm and they smash ITV1! Puffin's Pla[i]ce shows what Channel can do and if they produced more for the network,ITV1 would probably improve!
I don't like the way Carlton gets shouted at.It's Granada that have done the damage!
If the ITC came back they wouldn't be too fierce,but not as bad as Ofcom!
Central have only made one ident i don't like,which is the 1983 one.And they don't just make fantastic idents! They were like ATV [and were ATV technically] because of the shows they've made.CiTV wouldn't be here without them either.
And Channel.They're warm and they smash ITV1! Puffin's Pla[i]ce shows what Channel can do and if they produced more for the network,ITV1 would probably improve!
I don't like the way Carlton gets shouted at.It's Granada that have done the damage!
If the ITC came back they wouldn't be too fierce,but not as bad as Ofcom!
:-(
A former member
In terms of regional commitment, TSW takes some beating. They were utterly regional, and to hell with the rest. They deserve a lot of respect.
And it has to be said that as a small company with ambition, the Tyne Tees of the 70s and 80s battled way beyond their size. Never scared to take risks, and they produced a number of landmark programmes during this period.
Of the larger stations, ABC and ATV deserve a lot of credit. They managed to break the US market, and helped put the UK on the international TV map. Incredibly creative in the 60s particularly and real risk-takers.
And it has to be said that as a small company with ambition, the Tyne Tees of the 70s and 80s battled way beyond their size. Never scared to take risks, and they produced a number of landmark programmes during this period.
Of the larger stations, ABC and ATV deserve a lot of credit. They managed to break the US market, and helped put the UK on the international TV map. Incredibly creative in the 60s particularly and real risk-takers.
:-(
A former member
MarkN posted:
623058 posted:
Scottish televison well, to my knowalge it the only lienice that has not been lost OR changed!!!
Border?
Grampian?
Channel?
Tyne Tees?
Anglia?
Ulster?
I live in scotland so I would go with STV. techcnally it is. because it orginer owner said "it s liences to print money" so it had to be prefect in making money!!!
AN
Border?
Grampian?
Channel?
Tyne Tees?
Anglia?
Ulster?
I live in scotland so I would go with STV. techcnally it is. because it orginer owner said "it s liences to print money" so it had to be prefect in making money!!!
Anyone with me as I say... what?!
623058 posted:
MarkN posted:
623058 posted:
Scottish televison well, to my knowalge it the only lienice that has not been lost OR changed!!!
Border?
Grampian?
Channel?
Tyne Tees?
Anglia?
Ulster?
I live in scotland so I would go with STV. techcnally it is. because it orginer owner said "it s liences to print money" so it had to be prefect in making money!!!
Anyone with me as I say... what?!
:-(
A former member
ok...
back in the 60's the onwer of STV said the following quote
"this is a liencies to print money!" so STV is a prefect comapny because it made alot of money so it prefect in that since, and nothing else.
ok
back in the 60's the onwer of STV said the following quote
"this is a liencies to print money!" so STV is a prefect comapny because it made alot of money so it prefect in that since, and nothing else.
ok