With An Independent Air: An Alternative ITV history

Oh No

What

Not another Dr Who TL

Er, no I'm still busy with one.

Oh, right. So what's this about?

Its about how ITV could have developed if the ITC had blocked the Carlton/Granada merger in 2003/4

Hmm, sounds interesting. Think it'll catch on?

I don't know. There's only one way to find out...
 
Raymond Snoddy: Financial Times

"It wasn't what we wanted, but we haven't got any choice"

Not a ringing endorsement by Carlton executive David Cameron, more like a passive-aggressive stance. His big idea of a grand union between Carlton and Granada has been nixed by the ITC in a rare showing of teeth...

Its easy to understand why the ITC said no, the humiliating debacle of ITV Digital clatters through the years and wounds are still being licked...

While "the big 2" are losers this time around. It is the viewers that are potentially the victors. That is, if the strop stops.
 
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Just found this, and nice focus for a TL, ITV has an interesting history. Maybe it'll be a bit more regional post-2004 in TTL without the final merger.
 
ITC Stipulations

1. On ITV 1 Carlton and Granada must ensure a strong regional identity. Stations will be referred to with their established names eg. Central and LWT
2. The digital Carlton and Granada will be exclusive to Freeview for 2 years
3. ITN will provide a Digital only bulletin at 10.30 PM on both networks.
 
OPENING DAY SCHEDULES

Carlton:

12.00 My Best Friend's Wedding
2.30 Soldier Soldier
3.30 The Golden Girls
4.00 The Raggy Dolls
4.30 Worzel Gummidge

5.00 Carlton Live NEW!
5.30 Blockbusters NEW!
6.00 Blue Heelers
7.00 Champions League NEW" (Live and Exclusive)
10.30 ITN Digital News
11.00 Closedown

Granada:
12.00 A Bit Of A Do
1.00 The Professionals
2.00 George and Mildred
2.30 On The Buses
3.00 The Rockford Files
4.00 Hadleigh
5.00 The Avengers

6.00 Adrenaline Rush NEW
7.00 Rugby World NEW
8.00 Weatherfield Beat NEW
9.00 Fitz
10.30 ITN Digital News
11.00 Close
 
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