Granada Television News: Issue 1 – February 1990
Much has been written and said in recent months about the television revolution. In five years from now we’re told, those in the North West with the cash and the inclination will be able to tune in to perhaps nine different channels.
However impressive or indifferent the new competition, Granada will be distinguished from the rest by exactly the same thing which distinguishes us from the competition today. We live here.
Commercial pressures on the whole television industry mean that producers will be looking for mass audiences at home, and for co-productions with foreign companies which will reach a wider audience abroad. We can hope that these efforts will bring exciting new perspectives to our television viewing.
But while everyone else is designing their programmes for national and international markets, Granada will be the only commercial company making programmes which directly address the everyday concerns of the people who live in the North-West region. We think that matters – and that it will matter more and more as time goes on.
NEW CHALLENGES
The new world of television presents a range of exciting challenges, and at Granada we start from an excellent position to respond to them – and to throw down a few of our own.
As the only ITV company to have retained its regional franchise since the first days of Independent Television, Granada has earned for itself a unique place in the culture of the North West. We’re proud of our record but we’re not thinking of resting on it. We’re planning to capitalise on our base here by presenting a range of programmes which only we can produce simply because we live here.
Being part of the North West, we share the same concern for the local environment as our audience. So while our competitors will make programmes about pollution on the Rhine or the rainforest, we’ll make programmes which help clean up Morecambe beach or the Mersey. Hence The Granada Green Life Guide.
Because we don’t live in London (which regrettably sees many of the good movies and the stage shows first), our entertainment review programme will concern itself with events which the people of the North West can see and do – without travelling two hundred miles. Hence, The NeW; NW for North West and “e” for entertainment.
Because our programme makers use the same hospitals as our audience and ourr children go to the same schools, we’re making news and current affairs programmes which highlight the achievements and the problems of our local health and education services. Hence, new programmes like Granada Up Front and Granada Tonight.
QUALITY OF LIFE
In the Arts too, we are making our contribution to the quality of life in the region by reflecting excellence, and in particular by encouraging the talents of North West youth. The Celebration 15-25 festival, to be held in July, will be a week-long celebration of fashion, photography, music, drama, painting and dance. There’ll be street entertainers, stalls, and whatever else inventive local youth can offer. The festival is being coordinated with Manchester’s bid to become the home of the 1996 Olympic Games.
All this plus Flying Start, which will continue actively to encourage small businesses in our area; Hard Cash, which will help you make your money go further; What the MPs Say, our entertaining and irreverent political magazine; Granada Action, helping people to help themselves; and of course our comprehensive coverage and analysis of the best of North West sport.
We think this adds up to a regional revolution – and a platform of programmes for the North West which is well worth watching.
Stuart Prebble, Head of Regional Programmes, Granada Television
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