Westward Television

Westward Television
TypeRegion of television network
BrandingWestward TV
Country
England
First air date
29 April 1961; 63 years ago (1961-04-29)
TV transmittersStockland Hill, Huntshaw Cross, Caradon Hill, Redruth, Beacon Hill
HeadquartersPlymouth
Broadcast area
Devon, Cornwall, South Somerset, Taunton Deane, West Dorset, West Somerset
OwnerSelf-owned (1961-1981)
TSW (c.1981 - 1st January, 1982)
Dissolved31 December 1981; 42 years ago (1981-12-31), as branding;
1 January 1982 at 12:40 am (alongside TSW brand) as channel (after 20 years, 247 days)
Picture format
PAL and 405-line
Affiliation(s)ITV
LanguageEnglish
Replaced byTSW

Westward Television was the first ITV franchise-holder for the South West of England. It held the franchise from 29 April 1961 until 31 December 1981. After a difficult start, Westward Television provided a popular, distinctive and highly regarded service to its region, until heavy competition[1] led to its franchise not being renewed by the IBA. Westward launched the career of many broadcasters who became well known nationally, won numerous awards for its programming, and heavily influenced its successor, TSW.

  1. ^ BBC1 - BBC News ITV franchise changes ATV, Southern & Westward, TV-AM 28th December 1980, retrieved 20 July 2023