ITV's Launch and Early Years in the United Kingdom (1955–1965)

1. Television Act establishes UK commercial TV framework

   Jul 30, 1954Labels: Television Act, Independent Television

   • UK Legislation
   • Timeline London

2. Independent Television Authority begins operations

   Aug 4, 1954Labels: Independent Television, Regulator

   • ITA
   • TV Act

3. First ITV franchises awarded for initial regions

   Oct 26, 1954Labels: ITV franchises, London contracts

   • Timeline London
   • Timeline ITV

4. ITN founded to supply national ITV news

   May 1, 1955Labels: ITN, News provider

   • ITN
   • Timeline ITN

5. ITV begins broadcasting in London (Associated-Rediffusion)

   Sep 22, 1955Labels: Associated-Rediffusion, London weekday

   • Timeline Thames
   • Timeline London

6. First UK television commercial airs on ITV

   Sep 22, 1955Labels: Gibbs SR, Television commercial

   • HAT Ads
   • ITV News

7. First ITN bulletin broadcasts on ITV launch night

   Sep 22, 1955Labels: ITN bulletin, ITV launch

   • ITN
   • Timeline ITN

8. ATV launches London weekend ITV service

   Sep 24, 1955Labels: ATV, London weekend

   • Timeline London
   • Timeline ITV

9. This Week launches as ITV current affairs programme

   Jan 6, 1956Labels: This Week, Associated-Rediffusion

   • This Week
   • Timeline Thames

10. ITV expands beyond London to the Midlands

    Feb 17, 1956Labels: ATV Midlands, Midlands launch

    • Timeline ITV
    • Regional News

11. Granada Television begins North of England broadcasts

    May 3, 1956Labels: Granada Television, North of

    • Granadaland
    • Regional News

12. Associated-Rediffusion starts ITV schools television

    May 13, 1957Labels: ITV schools, Associated-Rediffusion

    • Rediffusion Schools
    • Schools Timeline

13. Pilkington Report criticises ITV and shapes policy debate

    Jun 27, 1962Labels: Pilkington Report, Pilkington Committee

    • Pilkington
    • Hansard

14. Rediffusion London rebrands from Associated-Rediffusion

    Apr 6, 1964Labels: Rediffusion London, Rebranding

    • Timeline Thames
    • Rediffusion

15. BBC2 launches after Pilkington third-channel decision

    Apr 21, 1964Labels: BBC2, Third channel

    • BBC Two
    • Pilkington

16. ITV reaches ten-year milestone as established network

    Sep 22, 1965Labels: ITV 10th, ITV network

    • Timeline ITV
    • ITA