Welcome to Transdiffusion
This is the Transdiffusion Broadcasting System (TBS), a not-for-profit historical society dedicated to documenting and preserving broadcasting history.
We have over three dozen websites devoted to all aspects of broadcasting and broadcasting history [sitemap], backed by the largest known private physical archive of historical presentation material.
In the latest update...
Φ Baby Boomer's Revenge Advice for programmers
Φ One Born Every Minute Hidden phone quiz scandal
Φ The Word and the Deed Watch your language!
Φ Catalogue of Woe BBC Catalogue is off the air
Φ On The Run The story of London's pirates (1973)
Φ Humph: A Tribute Nigel Stapley on Humphrey Littleton
Φ Tested to Destruction Stuff the bloody focus groups
Φ Pay-per-PSB? An idea that doesn't quite work
Our editors' latest musings in the MediaBlog
30-second guide to...
ATV (1955-1981)
ATV, also known as Associated TeleVision and ATV Network, was one of the original ITV broadcasters. ATV came on air in its own right on 24 September 1955, holding the London Saturday and Sunday licence. Originally named ABC, a lawsuit from the future ABC Weekend forced a change. In 1956, it opened a Monday-Friday operation in the Midlands. In 1968, ATV lost the London contract to LWT and became the 7-day company for the Midlands. The IBA required ATV to make structural changes to win the franchise starting in 1982; the re-jigged company took the name Central. Famous figures in ATV included Lew Grade, Val Parnell and Noelle Gordon. Famous programmes included Crossroads, Death of a Princess and Sapphire and Steel.
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