This day was the start of the decline of ITV Regional television. They should have never done this franchise round, the government was being greedy as usual. If TVS had bid slightly lower and the business was in better shape maybe they could have survived? The south and south east franchise was the most attractive one up for grabs, such a shame they didn't win. Meridian didn't really live up to the expectations. Meridians News service is so rubbish today compared to the early days. A sad day for TVS, Thames, TSW & TV AM. Strange how they all begin the T and they lost their franchises!!!
From an American perspective, I think their acquisition of MTM -- makers of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Newhart, WKRP In Cincinnati, St. Elsewhere, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, and several other TV classics -- would be the beginning of the end for TVS (MTM would be absorbed into 20th Century Fox by 1998 with The Pretender as its last series; as of 2024, its library is currently owned by Disney).
That must have been an awkward time for Fred, Fern and co, knowing that they were currently employed by TVS but had to look forward in their career and consider their 'employabity' with the new franchise.
The franchise bidding system was absolutely barmy and it was bit of a mess, even if quality threshold was met, a cash bid high or low doesn't guarantee you'll survive, and that's where it fell flat on it's face.
Half of ITV held by GRANADA the other half [Now including Ulster Television and Radio] held by CARLTON. I am pleased though that ITV programmes are now shown across of the whole of the United Kingdom at the same time. From the New Forest GOD BLESS!
0:41. Good evening. Not too good a day for us today.
That's an understatement right there.
This day was the start of the decline of ITV Regional television. They should have never done this franchise round, the government was being greedy as usual. If TVS had bid slightly lower and the business was in better shape maybe they could have survived? The south and south east franchise was the most attractive one up for grabs, such a shame they didn't win. Meridian didn't really live up to the expectations. Meridians News service is so rubbish today compared to the early days. A sad day for TVS, Thames, TSW & TV AM. Strange how they all begin the T and they lost their franchises!!!
It was sad in both 1980 when Southern lost its franchise and in 1991 when TVS lost there's but both made great programmes
From an American perspective, I think their acquisition of MTM -- makers of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Newhart, WKRP In Cincinnati, St. Elsewhere, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, and several other TV classics -- would be the beginning of the end for TVS (MTM would be absorbed into 20th Century Fox by 1998 with The Pretender as its last series; as of 2024, its library is currently owned by Disney).
That must have been an awkward time for Fred, Fern and co, knowing that they were currently employed by TVS but had to look forward in their career and consider their 'employabity' with the new franchise.
Meridian was one of the six ITV regions that was eventually taken over by Granada.
There should be a miniseries about TVS' history.
The franchise bidding system was absolutely barmy and it was bit of a mess, even if quality threshold was met, a cash bid high or low doesn't guarantee you'll survive, and that's where it fell flat on it's face.
The titles look clean. I have the whole of the Opening of Coast to Coast without the headlines.
Bet there wasn't a dry eye at both TVS' Northam and Maidstone production bases.
16 October 1991: The day of the start of the end of TVS (Television South)
what i do not understand about ITV is in the old days there would be local adverts
for local shops where has that gone?
there must be money there?
Espically in 1999 to Westcountry and Central.
I grew up watching Coast to Coast on TVS but lived in the South Eastern Region so no Fern Britton or Fred Dineage
Although I'm not from this area Central News still lives it's names 28 years later.
@everyone06 I'm not from this region either. I'm from the Granada region in the 90s our regional news was Granada Tonight
I heard Meridian wasn't nearly as bad as Carlton Television (which won over Thames Television). From what I've read, Carlton sucked hard.
Half of ITV held by GRANADA the other half [Now including Ulster Television and Radio] held by CARLTON. I am pleased though that ITV programmes are now shown across of the whole of the United Kingdom at the same time. From the New Forest GOD BLESS!
What did Meridian offer us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!nothing.Fern does look fit though.
That's Fern Britton?! Blimey, who ate all the pies?!