ITV Granada

ITV Granada. It is the ITV franchise holder for the North West England region, a cornerstone of British broadcasting since its launch in 1956. Originally known as Granada Television, it has been responsible for a vast catalogue of iconic and enduring television programmes, from groundbreaking drama to innovative entertainment. The company, now owned by ITV plc, continues to produce content from its base at MediaCityUK in Salford.

History

The station was founded by the dynamic entrepreneurs Sidney Bernstein and Cecil Bernstein, with its first broadcast emanating from its original studios on Quay Street in Manchester. A pioneering spirit defined its early years, with the company making a landmark commitment to broadcast to the entire region seven days a week, a move that solidified its dominance over competitor ABC Weekend TV. Its coverage of major events, including the Moors murders trial, demonstrated a serious journalistic commitment, while its early adoption of colour broadcasting and investment in outside broadcast units showcased technical ambition. The franchise was successfully defended during pivotal reviews by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, notably in 1968 and 1980, cementing its status. The creation of the non-franchise production arm Granada Productions and the merger with London Weekend Television to form Granada plc were key steps in its corporate evolution, culminating in the formation of the unified ITV plc in 2004.

Programming

The company has an unparalleled production legacy, creating some of the most celebrated series in British television. Its drama output is legendary, spanning the seminal kitchen-sink realism of Coronation Street, the long-running police series The Bill, and acclaimed literary adaptations like Brideshead Revisited and The Jewel in the Crown. In entertainment, it launched the global phenomenon Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the influential University Challenge. Groundbreaking factual and current affairs programming was delivered through strands like World in Action and Granada Reports, while its documentary unit produced defining works such as Seven Up!. Other notable productions include the sitcom The Royle Family, the thriller Prime Suspect, and the talent show Stars in Their Eyes.

Studios and facilities

Its original and long-time operational heart was the Granada Studios complex on Quay Street, which housed multiple studios and became a tourist attraction with the opening of the Granada Studios Tour. Following the closure of that site, production and broadcasting operations were consolidated at the modern MediaCityUK development in Salford, a move completed in 2013. Key regional news programming for the North West is now produced from this facility. Historically, the company also operated a studio complex on Liverpool's Lord Street, which was central to production for the city and Merseyside, and maintained transmission facilities at Winter Hill transmitting station.

Identity and branding

For decades, the company was famously associated with its stylized "G" logo, often set against a red background, and the iconic Granada TV ident featuring the Manchester skyline within a letter "G". The continuity announcers, based at the Quay Street studios, became familiar voices across the region. Following the consolidation of the ITV network, on-screen branding transitioned to the unified ITV1 identity, with local branding reserved primarily for regional news programmes. The historic Granada Television name remains in use for production credits and retains significant cultural cachet.

Operations and regions

As the franchise holder for the ITV region of North West England, its broadcast area covers the major conurbations of Greater Manchester and Merseyside, along with Lancashire, Cheshire, and parts of Cumbria and Derbyshire. The core regional service is the news programme Granada Reports, produced from MediaCityUK. The franchise area is served by a network of transmitters, with the main signal coming from Winter Hill transmitting station. While now part of the integrated ITV plc, it continues to operate as a distinct legal licence holder, with specific obligations for regional news and programming under the oversight of Ofcom.

Category:ITV franchises Category:Television channels and stations established in 1956 Category:Media in Manchester