 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2016) |
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 The TVS region when it lost its franchise in 1992 | |
| Type | Region of television network |
|---|---|
| Branding | TVS |
| Country | England |
First air date | 1 January 1982 |
| Founded | 1980 |
| TV transmitters | Rowridge, Dover, Hannington, Bluebell Hill, Midhurst, Whitehawk Hill, Chillerton Down, Heathfield |
| Headquarters | Northam, Southampton and Vinters Park, Maidstone |
Broadcast area | South East England and Central South |
| Owner | TVS Entertainment plc |
Key people | James Gatward, Greg Dyke |
| Dissolved | 31 December 1992 (after 10 years, 365 days) |
Picture format | PAL 625 lines |
| Affiliation(s) | ITV |
| Language | English |
| Replaced | Southern Television |
| Replaced by | Meridian Broadcasting |
Television South (TVS) was the ITV franchise holder in the South and South East of England between 1 January 1982 at 9.25 am and 31 December 1992 at 11.59 pm. The company operated under various names, initially as 'Television South plc' and then following reorganisation in 1989 as 'TVS Entertainment plc', with UK broadcasting activities undertaken by subsidiary 'TVS Television Ltd'.[1]
During its 11-year history, TVS produced a number of notable programmes for the ITV network especially in the fields of drama, light entertainment and children's programming. It was also a significant regional broadcaster producing a wide range of programmes for its area with the flagship being the nightly award-winning news programme Coast to Coast produced as two separate editions for the South and South East.
TVS ceased broadcasting on 31 December 1992 after losing its franchise to Meridian Broadcasting during the review of franchise holders in 1991. The company was sold to the US firm International Family Entertainment in 1993.
The trademarks of Television South are now owned by an independent production company, while a majority of the company's back catalogue is now owned by The Walt Disney Company.[citation needed] TVS Television Ltd itself was in existence until 2018, and was ultimately a non-trading subsidiary of Virgin Media.
- ^ Whiteside, R. M.; Wilson, A.; Blackburn, S.; Hörnig, S. E.; Wilson, C. P. (6 December 2012). Major Companies of Europe 1990/91: Volume 2 Major Companies of the United Kingdom. Springer. ISBN 9789400907997. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2016 – via Google Search.