BBC Money Programme report on the upcoming ITV franchise round, 22 October 1988

An interesting survey of the broadcasting landscape on the eve of multi-channel TV and deregulation

[@thejobinterviewcoach9901]

A total disaster , the Thatcher Govt destroyed the regional itv companies who were excellent public service broadcasters.

[@JimmySand9]

12:24 Who clicked on this just to see the girl in the thumbnail?

[@mixtapesfrommylatepartner]

You!

[@Tripp1993]

Two vital parts of the 1991 ITV franchise round. This year is 30 years since that round, one that would lead to the saddest nights in television, New Year's Eve 1992. Thames Television was living through their hubris, by making their controversial _Death on the Rock_ documentary. This infuriated Thatcher so much that it led to Carlton Television. Television South was in a hubris of its own, one that would destroy them: _they bought Mary Tyler Moore's company..._ *_at the worst time when the syndication market was collapsing!_* Oh, and it was also when _St. Elsewhere_ aired its finale, which led to an ending that... well, you know the rest. This, along with the recession, would force them to hand over the rights to Meridian Broadcasting and in my honest opinion, I think that the TVS programs are now with Disney... *_all the tapes._* Except, I have doubts that they would budge, due to paperwork and complications, if you know what I mean.

[@davidmatthewvinotjr8396]

TSW was the one who REALLY got Screwed. They put the highest bid but the ITC said no because they thought they would not afford it.

[@Tripp1993]

@@davidmatthewvinotjr8396 Now _that_ is hubris incarnate. They even tried to get it appealed to February 1992. It failed and TSW accepted that they were finished. Less than a year later, Television South West went out with dignity, though.

[@mixtapesfrommylatepartner]

James Gatward wouldn't face the reality of how MTM turned out and carried on living high on the hog. Much to the annoyance of all involved at TVS.

[@anthonyperkins7556]

@@mixtapesfrommylatepartner TVS buying MTM was a mistake. It sucked money from TVS's coffers when it should have focussed on it's own company divisions.

[@MrThecarebear]

1988. Here beginneth the end of British TV being the best in the world and becoming an American style sponsored joke.

[@SuperTed19021]

Personally to me, the date was Friday 1st January 1993 (when all of this *really* had to time to set in).

[@SuperTed19021]

*When ITV started to die!*

[@Tripp1993]

The Public Service Programmes should be revived for both television and streaming. I don't think it was a good idea for them to be abolished back in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

[@johnking5174]

Public service broadcasting is part and parcel of BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

[@Tripp1993]

@@johnking5174 Oh, yeah. By the way, the British government decided that Channel 4 is about to be privatized. It's a horrible idea.