ATV History

Standby to be confused, as sub-TV explains ATV's journey from pre-birth to reincarnation!

A tip - any company prefixed by Associated-British has nothing to do with Lew Grade and the future ATV...

The Two ABCs

Back when the BBC had a television monopoly, a consortium called the Associated Broadcasting Development Company (ABDC) was formed that helped to get the Independent Television Authority Act through Parliament.

It was not formed for any other purpose and was not trading in any other area.

The ITA Act was passed in 1954, and Lew Grade's consortium, ITC (Independent Television Company), applied for an ITA contract. ITC failed in its bid as it was considered to have too much control over talent.

On the other hand, the ABDC had trouble forming a production arm and securing finances.

The ABDC joined with the ITC, was awarded the weekend contract in London, and dropped the word 'Development' from its name to become the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC).

A completely separate body, the Associated-British Picture Corporation, was awarded the contract for North and Midland weekends under the subsidiary name Associated-British Cinemas Television.

The Associated-British Picture Corporation never wanted to be involved in independent television, and only signed a contract after being persuaded to do so by the ITA.

Now here comes the rub - because the Associated-British Picture Corporation never intended to be involved in independent television, Lew Grade was justified in using the name ABC for his Associated Broadcasting Company.

Lew Grade's ABC logo

The Court Case

However, the Associated-British Picture Corporation took exception to this and took the Associated Broadcasting Company to court. They lost because they could show no evidence of having used the name ABC in connection with television before the ITA started transmissions.

But by the time the court case was heard, the Associated-British Picture Corporation had actually started using the name ABC Television for their programmes, and so they won on appeal. Lew Grade was given five days to change all his company idents - but he had already prepared the ground...

ATV is Born

The company had already been registered as Associated TeleVision Limited (ATV) as a subsidiary of Associated Broadcasting Company, and Lew Grade had filmed new idents which simply said ATV rather than ABC. The switch took place on 6th October 1955.

From that date forward, Associated-British Picture Corporation's television subsidiary was known as ABC Television, and Lew Grade's company was known as ATV - Associated Television.

Central and After

In 1968, the structure of independent television was reorganised. The London weekend franchise went to London Weekend Television, and ATV was left with just the Midlands contract, which was now for seven days a week.

In 1980, ATV became Central Independent Television following pressure from the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority, successor to the ITA) who felt that ATV wasn't serving the regions properly.

Today, Central Television is owned by Carlton Television, which is itself owned by Granada Television, which has now become ITV plc.