Stoney Endcaps

http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/itvmidlands/itvmidlands/idents/centralproduction1996.jpghttp://www.tv-ark.org.uk/itvlondon/ctn/idents/endboards/end-carlton1995.jpg

After having a look around the ITV section of TV Ark I've noticed that both Central and Carlton used this stoney endcap background in the mid-90s, and I can distinctly remember that LWT had one too (though I can't find a picture). Was the background standard issue during that era, or is it purely a coincidence that all three companies used it?

Carlton had just taken over Central (1995?), this was the first sign of "dual branding" between the two stations

That particular 'stoney' background was used only by Central and Carlton. LWT Productions had an 'embossed silver' endcap in use at around the same time, but it wasn't the same backdrop.

The combined Central and Carlton backdrop almost certainly was the first attempt at dual branding the two stations - notice also how the Central lettering is written in Gil Sans, Carlton's font.