London Weekend Television

London Weekend Television was a British television company and a major Independent Television (ITV) franchise holder, serving London and the surrounding areas, including Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and parts of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. It was created in 1968, after the Independent Television Authority (ITA) awarded the London weekend franchise to a consortium led by David Frost and Lord Thomson of Fleet. The company began broadcasting on August 2, 1968, and was known for its high-quality programming, including The South Bank Show, The World at War, and Upstairs, Downstairs. BBC One, BBC Two, and Channel 4 were among its main competitors in the United Kingdom.

● History

The history of London Weekend Television dates back to the 1960s, when the Independent Television Authority (ITA) decided to split the London franchise into two separate contracts: one for weekdays and one for weekends. The weekend franchise was awarded to a consortium led by David Frost and Lord Thomson of Fleet, which included Pearson PLC, The Daily Mail and General Trust, and The Washington Post Company. The company began broadcasting on August 2, 1968, and was initially based at the Wembley Studios in Wembley, Middlesex. In the 1970s, London Weekend Television became known for its innovative programming, including The South Bank Show, which was hosted by Melvyn Bragg and featured interviews with prominent figures such as Laurence Olivier, Rudolf Nureyev, and Francis Bacon. The company also produced The World at War, a documentary series narrated by Laurence Olivier and featuring interviews with Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Joseph Stalin.

● Programming

London Weekend Television was known for its high-quality programming, which included a mix of entertainment, drama, and documentary series. The company produced several popular shows, including Upstairs, Downstairs, a period drama that followed the lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their servants, and The Professionals, an action series that starred Gordon Jackson, Martin Shaw, and Lewis Collins. London Weekend Television also produced several comedy series, including On the Buses, which starred Reg Varney and Doris Hare, and Please Sir!, which starred John Alderton and Deryck Guyler. The company's programming was often compared to that of BBC One, BBC Two, and Channel 4, and it was known for its innovative and often provocative approach to television production.

● Notable Shows

Some of the most notable shows produced by London Weekend Television include The South Bank Show, The World at War, and Upstairs, Downstairs. The company also produced several other popular series, including Agatha Christie's Poirot, which starred David Suchet as the famous detective Hercule Poirot, and Inspector Morse, which starred John Thaw as the gruff and intelligent detective Inspector Morse. London Weekend Television also produced several documentary series, including The Ascent of Man, which was hosted by Jacob Bronowski and explored the history of science and technology, and The Human Body, which was hosted by Terry Pratchett and explored the human body and its many functions. The company's shows often featured prominent figures, including Stephen Hawking, Isaac Asimov, and Carl Sagan.

● Management and Ownership

London Weekend Television was owned by a consortium of companies, including Pearson PLC, The Daily Mail and General Trust, and The Washington Post Company. The company was led by several prominent figures, including David Frost, who served as the company's first chairman, and Greg Dyke, who served as the company's chief executive in the 1990s. In 1994, London Weekend Television was acquired by Granada plc, which was a major Independent Television (ITV) franchise holder. The acquisition led to a significant increase in the company's resources and capabilities, and it allowed London Weekend Television to produce even more high-quality programming. The company's management team included several prominent figures, including Michael Grade, who served as the company's chief executive, and Steve Morrison, who served as the company's director of programming.

● Studios and Facilities

London Weekend Television was based at the South Bank Television Centre in London, which was a purpose-built facility that included several studios, editing suites, and other production facilities. The company also had several other studios and facilities, including the Wembley Studios in Wembley, Middlesex, and the London Studios in London. The company's studios and facilities were used to produce a wide range of programming, including drama series, comedy series, and documentary series. The company's facilities were also used by other broadcasters, including BBC One, BBC Two, and Channel 4, and they were known for their high quality and versatility. The company's studios and facilities were managed by several prominent figures, including John Birt, who served as the company's director of television, and Peter Bazalgette, who served as the company's director of programmes.

● Legacy

The legacy of London Weekend Television can be seen in the many high-quality shows that it produced during its time on the air. The company's programming was known for its innovative and often provocative approach to television production, and it helped to establish Independent Television (ITV) as a major force in British broadcasting. The company's shows, including The South Bank Show, The World at War, and Upstairs, Downstairs, are still widely regarded as some of the best examples of British television production, and they continue to be popular with audiences around the world. The company's influence can also be seen in the work of other broadcasters, including BBC One, BBC Two, and Channel 4, which have all been influenced by London Weekend Television's innovative approach to programming. The company's legacy continues to be celebrated by prominent figures, including Prince Charles, Duke of Edinburgh, and Tony Blair. Category:Television networks