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ITV Meridian
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==History== {{Further|Timeline of Meridian Broadcasting}} ===Formation=== ITV Meridian was formed as Meridian Broadcasting in 1991. The company consisted of a consortium between Mills & Allen International (MAI), Selectv (15%) and [[ITV Central|Central Independent Television]] (20%), the latter of whom advised the consortium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Now for someone quite familiar|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=hamlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&docId=IF501890742&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|access-date=10 September 2012|newspaper=Times|date=17 October 1991|location=London, United Kingdom|page=4}}</ref><ref name="Final countdown">{{cite news|last=Wittstock|first=Melinda|title=Final countdown in the scramble for Channel 3|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=hamlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=IF501856548&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|access-date=10 September 2012|newspaper=The Times|date=8 May 1991|location=London, United Kingdom|page=28}}</ref> Central Independent Television, along with Selectv, were instrumental in winning the franchise as a low bidder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investis.com/ubm/reports/04annual/creview.html |title=United Business Media annual report |publisher=Investis.com |access-date=2011-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713051607/http://www.investis.com/ubm/reports/04annual/creview.html |archive-date=13 July 2011 }}</ref> Meridian Broadcasting intended to operate as a publisher broadcaster, meaning that the majority of programmes would be commissioned from independent producers rather than produced in-house. In the ITV franchise auction of 1991, Meridian Broadcasting faced three other opponents in gaining the franchise, including the incumbent [[Television South]] and bids from [[Carlton Communications]] and [[CPV-TV]].<ref name="Final countdown"/> Meridian Broadcasting bid Β£36.5 million for the franchise, lower than TVS's bid of Β£59.8 million;<ref name="ITV winners">{{cite news|last=Wittstock|first=Melinda|title=Legal threats follow biggest ITV shake-up|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=hamlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=&docId=IF501890705&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|access-date=10 September 2012|newspaper=The Times|date=17 October 1991|location=London, United Kingdom|page=1|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001058/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=hamlib&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Faction%3Dinterpret%26id%3DGALE%7CIF0501890705%26v%3D2.1%26u%3Dhamlib%26it%3Dr%26p%3DTTDA%26sw%3Dw&prodId=TTDA|url-status=live}}</ref> however, the bid made by TVS was rejected following an unsatisfactory business plan. As the highest qualified bidder, Meridian Broadcasting therefore won the franchise.<ref name="Meridian First Licence">{{cite web|last=Blyth|first=K|title=Licence granted to Meridian Broadcasting Limited to provide a regional Channel 3 service under part 1 of the Broadcasting Act 1990|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/uploads/Meridian_Broadcasting_Licence.pdf|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=27 March 2012|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924071242/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/uploads/Meridian_Broadcasting_Licence.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Launch=== Meridian Broadcasting launched at midnight on 1 January 1993 replacing [[Television South]], with the programme ''Meridian β The First 10 Minutes'', a 10-minute outside broadcast from [[Winchester Cathedral]] presented by [[Debbie Thrower]] and previewing the station's forthcoming output. Other launch day programmes included [[Michael Palin]]'s documentary ''First Night on Meridian'' and the first ''Meridian News'' bulletins for its three sub-regions. Meridian advertised their presence as the new ITV contractor heavily; promotions began appearing on TVS several weeks before the launch and the new company's logo was also incorporated into the product for the first advert shown on the station β the special edition [[Ford Fiesta]] Meridian, available through Southern Ford dealers.<ref name="TVARK Idents">{{cite web|title=Meridian Idents|url=http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/itvsouth/meridian_idents.html|publisher=TVARK: The Online Television Museum|access-date=27 March 2012|author=Hale Ben and Hackett Steve|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421062547/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/itvsouth/meridian_idents.html|archive-date=21 April 2012}} Contains genuine videos of Meridian continuity.</ref> ===Post-launch=== Six months after the launch of Meridian Broadcasting, the new company joined up with [[ITV Wales & West|HTV]], [[ITV Westcountry|Westcountry Television]], [[Channel Television]] and [[S4C]] to form a joint advertising company operated by Meridian Broadcasting and HTV.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV companies link up|url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=hamlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&docId=IF503365333&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|access-date=10 September 2012|newspaper=Times|date=20 July 1993|location=London|page=22|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001051/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=hamlib&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Faction%3Dinterpret%26id%3DGALE%7CIF0503365333%26v%3D2.1%26u%3Dhamlib%26it%3Dr%26p%3DTTDA%26sw%3Dw&prodId=TTDA|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after, MAI began to expand by buying [[ITV Anglia|Anglia Television]], the ITV franchise for the east of England, in 1994.<ref name="Independent Anglia buyout">{{cite news|last=John|first=Murray|title=Heseltine clears way for Anglia TV bid|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/heseltine-clears-way-for-anglia-tv-bid-1395076.html|access-date=27 March 2012|location=London|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 February 1994|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422034220/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/heseltine-clears-way-for-anglia-tv-bid-1395076.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, MAI became a major shareholder in the consortium that won the franchise for [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]].<ref name="Ofcom ITV timeline">{{cite web|title=Key dates in the history of commercial TV|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/uk_television_sector/overview/key_dates.asp.html|work=An Overview of Television in the UK|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=27 March 2012|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117091916/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/uk_television_sector/overview/key_dates.asp.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, MAI merged with United Newspapers (via an [[Mergers and acquisitions|agreed takeover]] by United) to form [[UBM plc|United News & Media]] (UNM). The resulting company owned the ''[[Daily Express]]'' newspaper, Meridian Broadcasting, Anglia Television, and a large shareholding (through the ''[[Yorkshire Post]]'') in [[Yorkshire Tyne Tees Television]], the owners of [[Yorkshire Television]] and [[Tyne Tees Television]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/27568&EDATE= |title=PRNewsWire |publisher=PRNewsWire |access-date=2011-01-27 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729120734/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F27568&EDATE= |url-status=live }}</ref> The stake in Yorkshire Tyne Tees Television was sold to [[Granada PLC|Granada Television]], allowing them to take control of the two franchises in 1997. [[UBM plc|United News & Media]] later agreed to buy [[Scottish Television]]'s 20% stake in [[ITV Wales & West|HTV]]<ref name="Independent HTV stake">{{cite news|last=Mathew|first=Horsman|title=Hollick secures a stake in HTV as fight for franchises hots up|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hollick-secures-a-stake-in-htv-as-fight-for-franchises-hots-up-1359962.html|access-date=27 March 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=25 October 1996|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422034057/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hollick-secures-a-stake-in-htv-as-fight-for-franchises-hots-up-1359962.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and on 28 June 1997, HTV was taken over fully by UNM for Β£370 million.<ref name="Independent HTV takeover">{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Cathy|title=HTV succumbs to United News in pounds 370m takeover bid|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/htv-succumbs-to-united-news-in-pounds-370m-takeover-bid-1258407.html|access-date=27 March 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=28 June 1997|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422034745/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/htv-succumbs-to-united-news-in-pounds-370m-takeover-bid-1258407.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, plans emerged of a merger between UNM and rival [[Carlton Communications|Carlton Television]];<ref name="Telegraph timeline">{{cite news|title=ITV: 20 years of ups and downs|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/8136696/ITV-20-years-of-ups-and-downs.html|access-date=27 March 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|location=London|date=16 November 2010|archive-date=22 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122152820/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/8136696/ITV-20-years-of-ups-and-downs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> however, these talks failed when it appeared that Meridian Broadcasting would have to be sold off as a condition of the deal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Billings|first=Claire|title=United and Carlton call off merger|url=http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/129464/United-Carlton-call-off-merger/|access-date=27 March 2012|newspaper=Media Week|date=21 July 2000|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001128/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/united-carlton-call-off-merger/129464?src_site=mediaweek|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Guardian timeline">{{cite news|title=Timeline: ITV 1955-today|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/oct/07/citynews.ITV|access-date=27 March 2012|newspaper=Media Guardian|date=7 October 2003|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830204444/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/oct/07/citynews.ITV|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, the television assets of UNM were sold to [[Granada PLC|Granada]]; however, due to regulations stating that the company could not control that large an audience share, the broadcasting arm of HTV was sold to Carlton Television in exchange for the 20% stake that Central Independent Television held in Meridian Broadcasting.<ref name="Guardian timeline"/><ref name="BBC News UNM sale">{{cite news|title=United News sharpens focus|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/865609.stm|access-date=27 March 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=4 August 2000|archive-date=23 December 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223000331/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/865609.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ITV plc History">{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.itvplc.com/about/history|publisher=ITV plc|access-date=27 March 2012|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319194544/http://www.itvplc.com/about/history|url-status=live}}</ref> ===ITV Meridian=== In 2002, Granada Television and Carlton Television decided to consolidate the separate brandings for the ITV franchises that they controlled, changing the name of the region to ITV Meridian, with the on screen name of ITV1 used before all non-regional programming. The consolidation became further pronounced when Carlton Television and Granada Television merged to form [[ITV plc]] in 2004. 2004 also saw the move of ITV Meridian from their previous [[Television Centre, Southampton|Northam studio complex]] to a new studio base in [[Whiteley]], Hampshire. In the subsequent years, ITV Meridian's workforce has been condensed slowly with its operations considerably downgraded. This came to a head when Michael Grade announced his intention to reduce the number of regional programmes from 17 to 9. As part of these plans, which were approved by [[Ofcom]] in 2008, the three editions of the news programme ''[[Meridian Tonight]]'' were replaced with a single edition with a pre-recorded opt out for either the South or South East of the region. The plans resulted in over half of Meridian's existing staff being made redundant; all employees wishing to remain with the company were obliged to re-apply for jobs.<ref>{{cite news| title = Meridian faces axe| publisher = Salisbury Journal| date = 21 September 2007| url = http://www.thisissalisbury.co.uk/display.var.1703437.0.meridian_faces_axe.php| access-date = 2007-09-21| archive-date = 26 June 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001044/https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/1703437.meridian-faces-axe/| url-status = live}}</ref> Some staff opted for voluntary redundancy and many others have been left without jobs. Strike action was threatened as a result of the announcement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sturgess |first=Trevor |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=49008 |title=TV 'carnage' as Meridian slashes newsroom jobs |publisher=Kentonline.co.uk |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=2011-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bectu.org.uk/2007/11/05/meridian-staff-act-over-news-cuts/ |title=BECTU News β Meridian staff act over news cuts |publisher=Bectu.org.uk |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=2011-01-27 |archive-date=3 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503075358/https://www.bectu.org.uk/2007/11/05/meridian-staff-act-over-news-cuts/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6994696.stm | publisher=BBC News| title=Strike threat over ITV news cuts | date=14 September 2007 | access-date=12 May 2010 | archive-date=26 June 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001031/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/v51.js | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2454985.nearly_100_jobs_to_go_at_meridian/ |title=Nearly 100 jobs to go at Meridian |publisher=Bournemouth Echo |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=2011-01-27 |archive-date=2 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702103307/http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2454985.nearly_100_jobs_to_go_at_meridian/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At present the only local programming that ITV Meridian provides for the region is regional news programming<ref name="Licence v12">{{cite web|title=South of England Regional Channel 3 Licence: Attachment to Variation 12|url=http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/tv/itv/meridian/South_Englandvar_12.pdf|website=Ofcom Licensing|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=13 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414031007/http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/tv/itv/meridian/South_Englandvar_12.pdf|archive-date=14 April 2015}}</ref> and a pan-regional monthly late-night 30-minute political discussion programme, ''The Last Word''. In 2013 proposals were approved by Ofcom that reversed the 2009 consolidation of ITV Meridian's regional news programmes, resulting in the reinstatement of the three sub-regions (South, East and Thames Valley).<ref name="ITV Proposal 2013">{{cite web|author1=ITV|title=ITV's Proposals for Nations and Regions News for a new Channel 3 PSB Licence|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/c3-c5-obligations/annexes/itvs-proposals.pdf|website=Ofcom|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040922/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/c3-c5-obligations/annexes/itvs-proposals.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ofcom Decision 2013">{{cite web|title=Channel 3 and Channel 5: Statement of Programming Obligations β Amendments to obligations for Channel 3 and Channel 5 ahead of a new licensing period|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/c3-c5-obligations/statement/|website=Ofcom|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826125503/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/c3-c5-obligations/statement/|url-status=live}}</ref> However to maintain lower costs, the main half-hour programme at 6p.m. contains a minimum 20 minutes of regional news (10 minutes in the Thames Valley) and daily use of "shared content" from outside the region.<ref name="ITV Proposal 2013"/><ref name="Ofcom Decision 2013"/> The practice of broadcasting one programme live and pre-recording others, using the same presenting team and studio set, continues.<ref name="ITV Proposal 2013"/>
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