 | |
 The Westward region when it lost its franchise in 1981 | |
| Type | Region of television network |
|---|---|
| Branding | Westward TV |
| Country | England |
First air date | 29 April 1961 |
| TV transmitters | Stockland Hill, Huntshaw Cross, Caradon Hill, Redruth, Beacon Hill |
| Headquarters | Plymouth |
Broadcast area | Devon, Cornwall, South Somerset, Taunton Deane, West Dorset, West Somerset |
| Owner | Self-owned |
| Dissolved | 31 December 1981, 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 |
| Language | English |
| Replaced by | TSW |
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.
- ^ BBC1 - BBC News ITV franchise changes ATV, Southern & Westward, TV-AM 28th December 1980, retrieved 20 July 2023