Episode 1: Independent Minds

Before rolling news, before 24-hour channels and endless scrolls, there was ITN – the independent newsroom that changed how Britain saw itself. In this episode, we trace the history of Independent Television News, from its 1955 launch as a bold challenge to the BBC’s monopoly to its evolution into one of the world’s most respected news brands. Featuring the voices, controversies, and innovations that shaped ITN – from the early days of News at Ten to the digital revolution – this is the story of how commercial television learned to do serious journalism, and how ITN’s legacy still echoes through every newsroom in Britain today.