For information.

"Regional TV: Life Through a Local Lens"


TX Date Wednesday 20th July 2011

BBC Four

"The hour-long documentary will explain how both the BBC and ITV took advantage of new transmitter technology in the late 50s and early 60s to reach new audiences across the country, offering content that focused on the places 'real people' lived."

Source:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/14183095

There was a certain amount of 'televisual licence'!
I saw a GV of Southern's studio centre, but apart from the ATV 'eye' logo, there wasn't much else.
Granada was given due prominence.

Not enough was made of the modest network programmes made within he regions. Gardening, cooking, etc.... which were simply dropped.

It was nice to hear the old - original- "Nationwide" sig tune again.

I was on the sound crew in Lime Grove when the pilot for Nationwide was tested. This was when the 'sub-regions' opted out of their parent station (Plymouth out of Bristol's output, Norwich out of Birmingham's output etc). I had to tighten the gap in the tail of the opening sig so tightly that the sub regions could only just opt out!

Later in my career, now in a region... the TM of the day uttering the imortal words "Nothing for Nationwide tonight" meant we got home in time for a late evening meal!

Ah those were the days....

"Regions" not "Nations"

In one programme, there isn't space for all memories. As has been stated elsewhere, a series of (perhaps) three programes might have been better.
60's to 70's
70's to 80's
80's to 90's

The ITV structure was (originally) much more regional. They were "Yorkshire TV", "Scottish TV" etc, the perception was always "we're closer to you than the BBC".
However, as years pass, the BBC regional news has become much stronger as resourses altered, and management changed priorities.

In many areas the BBC Regional TV news is now more popular. It must be admitted that there are other factors that can alter this.