ITV Central

ITV Central is the Independent Television regional service for the English Midlands. It was created to replace ATV as the holder of the Midlands commercial television franchise after the Independent Broadcasting Authority required a stronger regional identity, separate East and West Midlands news provision, and a revised ownership structure. The service began broadcasting on 1 January 1982 under the name Central Independent Television, initially transmitting a single pan-regional service from Birmingham while industrial disputes delayed the launch of the separate East Midlands operation. The franchise covered a large and economically important area, and Central developed into one of ITV's most productive companies during the 1980s and early 1990s. Its output included regional news, continuity and advertising services, entertainment, drama, children's programming, documentaries and other network programmes supplied to ITV nationally. The company expanded beyond transmission through production and distribution subsidiaries, international programme sales, overseas offices and investments in associated media businesses. Its production portfolio included television adaptations of the Inspector Morse novels and children's animation, while its distribution operations sold programmes to markets outside the United Kingdom. Central's regional structure developed progressively. The East Midlands service was initially operated from temporary facilities near Nottingham before a purpose-built Lenton Lane complex opened in 1984. A third sub-region, Central News South, was introduced from Abingdon in 1989, serving parts of the South Midlands. Birmingham remained the principal West Midlands base, although the company increasingly concentrated large-scale network production and operational functions elsewhere. Its regional news identity became the most durable part of the brand as network production was later reorganised under corporate ownership. The company retained its franchise without opposition in the 1991–93 franchise round, paying a nominal annual bid alongside a revenue-related levy. At the same time, it reduced its workforce and pursued greater efficiency. Carlton Communications first acquired a significant stake in Central in 1987 and bought the company outright in 1994 for £750 million. Carlton subsequently reorganised the operation, reduced the scale of the Birmingham facilities and treated network programmes as Carlton UK Productions. On-air branding changed to Carlton Central in September 1999. Following the merger of Carlton and Granada in 2004, the regional service became part of ITV plc and adopted the ITV1 Central identity. The registered company name later changed to ITV Central Ltd. In the modern ITV structure, Central is principally a regional brand rather than an independently controlled broadcaster: it provides regional news and related local output for the Midlands while national ITV programming is commissioned, produced and scheduled through the wider ITV organisation. Its historic studios and production sites have been substantially rationalised, but the Central name remains associated with ITV's Midlands news service.

ITV Central originated in the restructuring of ATV, which had previously held the Midlands ITV franchise. During the 1970s, ATV was criticised for having insufficient regional character because many major programmes were produced at Elstree in Hertfordshire rather than in the Midlands. For the 1980 franchise renewal, ATV proposed a new identity, a Nottingham production facility and separate news services for the East and West Midlands. The IBA accepted the proposal only with significant structural conditions, including a new company name, a regional registered office and the disposal of part of the parent company's ownership to local shareholders. The resulting contractor was named ATV Midlands during the application process and became Central Independent Television. Central began broadcasting at 9:25 a.m. on 1 January 1982 from Birmingham. Its first transmission included an authority announcement and a launch presentation introducing the company's regional and network plans. The East Midlands service did not begin as planned because of industrial action and related operational difficulties. A temporary base was established near Eastwood, Nottingham, and the separate service eventually launched in September 1983. The purpose-built Lenton Lane complex opened in January 1984 and was formally inaugurated two months later. Birmingham continued to serve the West Midlands, while a third regional operation based at Abingdon began Central News South in 1989. The company rapidly grew from a franchise holder into a substantial production and distribution business. In 1984 it created Zenith Productions, which developed programming for British and overseas markets and became associated with television adaptations of the Inspector Morse novels. Central acquired the Korda Film Library in 1986 and purchased the European division of FilmFair in 1987, strengthening its children's and animation activities. It also acquired a stake in Starstream, an operator associated with The Children's Channel, and launched an overnight service carrying imported programmes, short news updates and the Jobfinder employment service. Jobfinder, introduced in partnership with the Manpower Services Commission in 1986, continued for many years and received recognition from the Royal Television Society. International distribution became another major activity. Central established Central Television Enterprises in 1987 and opened offices in Hamburg, New York and Sydney for programme sales, sponsorship and newsgathering. The company later created Zodiac Entertainment in the United States, investing in animation production and distribution. It also formed Television Sales and Marketing Services with Anglia Television to sell advertising airtime and programme sponsorship. Central's export business was recognised with Queen's Awards for Industry in 1987 and 1989, reflecting sales of its programmes to numerous overseas territories. In 1990, Central and The Observer created Central Observer to produce environmental films for television, with support from Television Trust for the Environment. Central's commercial success coincided with workforce reductions and ownership changes. Its franchise was retained without opposition in the 1993 renewal round, but the company faced pressure to reduce costs and paid a revenue-related charge in addition to its nominal bid. Carlton Communications acquired 20 percent of Central from Ladbrokes in 1987 and purchased the remaining company in 1994. Carlton consolidated operations, moved some functions, reduced the scale of the Birmingham operation and reclassified network output as Carlton UK Productions. In 1999 the station was branded Carlton Central on air, although Central continued to appear in regional news identities. The 2004 merger of Carlton and Granada brought Central into ITV plc. The service was subsequently branded ITV1 Central and later ITV Central, while the registered legal entity became ITV Central Ltd. Production rationalisation continued, including the closure and sale of the Lenton Lane complex and the transfer of Central News East production and transmission to Birmingham. Today, the Central identity principally denotes ITV's regional news and local television service for the Midlands. Its historical contribution is broader: it was once a major ITV network supplier with notable drama, entertainment, children's, documentary and international distribution operations.

1. 2004Central becomes part of ITV plc

   The Carlton–Granada merger created ITV plc, bringing Central into the unified ITV corporate structure.

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2. 1999On-air identity changes to Carlton Central

   The station adopted Carlton Central branding, although the Central name continued in regional news programming and remained part of the legal company identity.

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3. 1994Carlton acquires Central

   Carlton Communications completed its acquisition of Central, beginning a period of operational consolidation and reduced regional production infrastructure.

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4. 1993Central retains Midlands franchise

   Central was unopposed in the franchise renewal process and continued as the Midlands ITV contractor while pursuing substantial cost reductions.

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5. 1989Central News South launches

   A third sub-region was established from Abingdon, with coverage extending across parts of the South Midlands.

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6. 1987International expansion accelerates

   Central created Central Television Enterprises, expanded overseas sales operations and received its first cited Queen's Award for Industry for export activity.

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7. 1984Lenton Lane studios open

   Central's purpose-built East Midlands Television Centre in Nottingham opened, and Zenith Productions was established as a production subsidiary.

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8. 1983Separate East Midlands service launches

   After delays caused by industrial and operational problems, Central introduced its dedicated East Midlands service from Nottingham-area facilities.

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9. 1982Central begins broadcasting

   Central Independent Television replaced ATV as the Midlands ITV franchisee and began transmission on 1 January, initially with a pan-regional service from Birmingham.

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A regional ITV service combining local news and information for the Midlands with a historically significant role in national programme production, distribution and commercial television innovation.

• Central NewsRegional television news1982

  The core continuing service associated with the Central brand. It provides regional news coverage for the Midlands through West, East and historically South sub-regional operations, with local bureaux and editions adapted to distinct communities.

• JobfinderEmployment information television1986

  An overnight employment-information service launched in partnership with the Manpower Services Commission. It combined job vacancies with short news and other overnight programming and became one of Central's longest-running public-service-oriented initiatives.

• Zenith ProductionsTelevision production1984

  A Central subsidiary created to develop and produce programmes for British and international markets. It became particularly associated with television adaptations of the Inspector Morse novels and formed part of Central's expansion beyond regional transmission.

• Central Television EnterprisesProgramme distribution1987

  Central's international sales and distribution operation, established to market programmes overseas and support sponsorship and newsgathering activity. It operated through offices outside the United Kingdom and later handled output associated with other Carlton companies.

• Central ObserverEnvironmental documentaries1990

  A partnership with The Observer newspaper that produced environmentally themed films for television. The initiative received funding support from Television Trust for the Environment and was intended for both terrestrial and satellite distribution.

• 2004Lenton Lane production centre closure announcedStrategy

  After the creation of ITV plc through the Carlton–Granada merger, the new group reviewed the duplicated production and transmission infrastructure of its regional companies.

  What changed. ITV plc announced the closure and sale of Central's Lenton Lane complex in Nottingham and planned the transfer of Central News East production and transmission to Birmingham.

  Aftermath. More than 350 jobs were affected. A smaller Nottingham news-gathering centre remained, while the former studio site was later reused by the University of Nottingham.

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• 1999Carlton Central branding introducedStrategy

  Carlton sought a consistent on-air identity across the regional ITV services it controlled.

  What changed. Central adopted the Carlton Central identity on air, while regional news programmes continued to use the Central name.

  Aftermath. The Carlton identity lasted until the Carlton–Granada merger and the subsequent adoption of ITV1 Central branding.

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• 1994Carlton completes acquisition of CentralM&A

  Carlton Communications had acquired a minority stake in Central in 1987 and later pursued full ownership of the Midlands ITV contractor.

  What changed. Carlton bought Central in its entirety for £750 million and subsequently reorganised its production and regional operations.

  Aftermath. The acquisition reduced Central's independent corporate status, concentrated network production under Carlton and contributed to the scaling down and relocation of some facilities.

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• 2008ITV Central fined for contempt of court

  The station was fined £25,000 in connection with a contempt-of-court matter.

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• 2005East Midlands regional news bulletin investigated by Ofcom

  ITV Central disclosed that it could face regulatory action after broadcasting a pre-recorded late news bulletin for the East Midlands. Ofcom subsequently allowed ITV to pre-record certain regional bulletins shortly before transmission under defined conditions.

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• 2004ITV plc announced closure and sale of Lenton Lane production centre

  ITV plc announced plans to close and sell Central's Lenton Lane production complex in Nottingham, with more than 350 jobs affected. Central News East production and transmission were subsequently moved to Birmingham, while a smaller news-gathering presence remained in Nottingham.

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1. ITV Central