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Yorkshire's Broadcast Tapestry

A comprehensive chronicle of ITV Yorkshire, formerly Yorkshire Television (YTV), exploring its significant contributions to British television.

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Overview

Regional Television Pioneer

ITV Yorkshire, historically known as Yorkshire Television (YTV), is the regional ITV franchise holder for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Established on July 29, 1968, it has been a cornerstone of the ITV network, renowned for its high-quality programming across various genres.

Broadcast Reach

Initially serving Yorkshire, its broadcast area expanded in 1974 to include Lincolnshire, parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and northwestern Norfolk. This extensive reach cemented its role as a key regional broadcaster.

Corporate Evolution

Originally Yorkshire Television Limited, the company underwent significant structural changes, including integration with Tyne Tees Television under Trident Television and eventual acquisition by Granada plc in 1997, becoming part of the larger ITV plc entity. Its programme production business now operates under ITV Studios.

Historical Trajectory

Genesis and Early Years

Born from the 1967 franchise review, YTV emerged to serve the Yorkshire area, replacing the shared Granada and ABC Weekend Television contract. It began broadcasting on July 29, 1968, from purpose-built studios in Leeds, initially focusing on monochrome output before transitioning to colour in November 1969.

  • 1967: Franchise awarded, merging Telefusion Yorkshire and Yorkshire Independent Television.
  • 1968: Launch of broadcasting, including the regional news program Calendar.
  • 1969: Mast collapse at Emley Moor temporarily impacted coverage; talks began with Anglia Television for cost-saving measures.
  • 1970: Government levy reduction discussed to support regional broadcasters.
  • 1974: Broadcast area expanded to include Lincolnshire and other adjacent counties via the Belmont transmitter.

Industrial Relations and Challenges

YTV experienced significant industrial relations challenges throughout its history, marked by strikes and disputes with broadcasting unions. Notable disruptions occurred during Christmas 1978 and the wider ITV strike in 1979, impacting programming schedules.

  • 1971: Technician strike led to broadcast interruptions.
  • 1978: Christmas shutdown due to industrial action, leaving the region without television for two days.
  • 1979: Extended strike, though appeals for the Yorkshire Ripper investigation were broadcast. Management's stance was seen as confrontational.

Mergers and Rebranding

The company navigated complex corporate changes, including the formation of Trident Television with Tyne Tees Television in 1970, requiring a demerger by 1981. The 1990s saw further integration, culminating in the acquisition by Granada plc in 1997, leading to the eventual rebranding under the unified ITV1 identity.

  • 1980s: Introduced 24-hour broadcasting and became a major supplier to Channel 4.
  • 1992: Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television plc formed, leading to job cuts and program schedule adjustments.
  • 1996: Rebranded under the "Channel 3" identity, with variations for Yorkshire and Tyne Tees.
  • 1998: Granada plc scrapped the Channel 3 branding, moving towards a unified ITV identity.
  • 2002: Rebranded as ITV1 Yorkshire, with regional identities gradually phased out by 2006.

The Leeds Studios

State-of-the-Art Facility

The studios, located on Kirkstall Road in Leeds, were a pioneering facility, recognized as Europe's first purpose-built colour television production centre. Construction began in 1967, costing over ยฃ4 million and equipped with advanced technology for the era.

Production Hub

These studios served as the production base for numerous networked programs, including dramas, comedies, and current affairs shows. They also housed the regional news program Calendar and later became the production site for the long-running soap opera Emmerdale, including upgrades for HDTV.

  • Emmerdale (since 2009)
  • Countdown (for Channel 4)
  • Mastermind
  • My Parents Are Aliens
  • The Darling Buds of May
  • A Touch of Frost
  • Heartbeat

Legacy and Modern Use

Despite cost-saving measures leading to partial closures and changes in operations, the Leeds studios continue to function as "The Leeds Studios," hosting continuity for ITV's northern regions and serving independent producers. The site remains a significant landmark in British television production history.

Programming Excellence

Drama and Serials

Yorkshire Television garnered critical acclaim for its drama output, producing a wide array of successful series that resonated with audiences nationwide. These productions often showcased strong storytelling and compelling performances.

  • Emmerdale
  • Heartbeat
  • A Touch of Frost
  • The Darling Buds of May
  • The Beiderbecke Trilogy
  • Fat Friends
  • Trial & Retribution

Comedy and Sitcoms

The station was also a significant producer of comedy, contributing numerous popular sitcoms and comedy series to the ITV schedule. These shows often became household favorites, launching the careers of many comedians and actors.

  • Rising Damp
  • Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt
  • Home to Roost
  • The New Statesman
  • The Gaffer
  • You're Only Young Twice

Entertainment and Games

Yorkshire Television was a powerhouse in entertainment programming, particularly known for its successful game shows that became staples of weekend viewing. It also produced significant children's programming and documentaries.

  • 3-2-1
  • Countdown
  • Bruce's Price is Right
  • The Indoor League
  • Children's Programming: Follyfoot, Mathematical Eye
  • Documentaries: Johnny Go Home, Too Long a Winter

Distinctive Identity

The Iconic Chevron

For nearly 35 years, Yorkshire Television's on-screen identity was synonymous with its distinctive chevron logo. This symbol, often rendered in yellow against a dark background, became instantly recognizable to viewers across its broadcast region.

Musical Signature

The station's presentation was often accompanied by a musical theme derived from the famous Yorkshire folk song, "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at." This jingle evolved over the years, adapting to colour broadcasts and later iterations of the branding.

  • Early Ident (1968): Black and white chevron with orchestral "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at".
  • Colour Ident (1969): Yellow chevron with simplified jingle and "Colour Production" caption.
  • 1980s Variations: Computer-animated idents, including a "Liquid Gold" theme.
  • 1990s Branding: Integration with Channel 3 branding, reintroducing a higher-pitched version of the jingle.

Visual Evolution

The visual presentation evolved significantly, from early slit-scan techniques to computer-generated graphics and thematic branding packages. Each iteration aimed to reflect the station's identity and connection to the Yorkshire region.

Associated Ventures

York Records

Yorkshire Television operated its own record label, York Records. This subsidiary released theme tunes and music associated with the station's popular programs, further extending its brand into the music industry.

A notable release was the theme from The Sky's the Limit, hosted by Hughie Green. The theme song, "The Sky's the Limit," was released as the B-side to "Any Minute of Your Life" by the group Simplicity (York SYK 501).

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References

References

  1.  Directors Report and Financial Statements, Yorkshire Television Limited, Year Ending 31 December 2006
  2.  Presenting Yorkshire to Britain. FROM OUR NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT. The Times, Friday, 16 June 1967
  3.  Yorkshire, Anglia in TV link talks.BY BROADCASTING CORRESPONDENT. The Times (London, England), Saturday, 7 June 1969
  4.  Yorkshire and Tyne Tees TV plan to merge. By ROSS DAVIES. The Times, Friday, 21 August 1970; p. 17;
  5.  Yorkshire's forthcoming experiment in breakfast viewing may sound the ... Fiddick, Peter The Guardian (1959รขย€ย“2003); 21 February 1977;
  6.  ITV's framework for survival in the eighties: Expectations of a harsh ... The Guardian (1959รขย€ย“2003); 25 January 1980;
  7.  Second top executive resigns from Yorkshire Television. Cliff Feltham. The Times, Friday, 22 April 1988
  8.  Redundancy plan pegs profit rise to 15.6% at Yorkshire. Rosemary Unsworth. The Times, Thursday, 15 December 1988
  9.  Susan Gilchrist "Collapse of merger talks puts LWT under pressure", The Times, 7 January 1994, p. 23
  10.  Yorkshire TV plunges to loss of ร‚ยฃ7.9m.Susan Gilchrist. The Times, Saturday, 29 January 1994; p. 21
  11.  MAM unlikely to back Granada's YTTV offer.Eric Reguly. The Times (London, England), Thursday, 26 June 1997; p. 27
  12.  45Cat - Simplicity - Discography
  13.  Fonorama - SYK 50 SIMPLICITY
A full list of references for this article are available at the ITV Yorkshire Wikipedia page

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