Date   : Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:17:32 +0100
From   : philpem@... (Philip Pemberton)
Subject: Fw: Fwd: ITV Teletext to shut down in January

Mick Champion wrote:
> [OT] Since the last TV franchise wars in 1992, all the ITV regions have 
> been gobbled up by Carlton and Granada who later formed ITV plc, not 
> sure if Channel TV is part of it?.  Does this mean there will be no more 
> regional franchising?

There pretty much isn't any "regional franchising" left /now/. Turn on, 
tune in, see ITV logo, turn off.

 > London lost Thames television in
> 1992 - it was a very sad day when Carlton took over. It did have the 
> effect of  making London Weekend seem good though.[/OT]

I haven't watched ITV in ages -- when the TV is actually hooked up /for/ 
TV, I end up watching one of the BBC channels. And I actively avoid 
Channel 4 and "five".

Filmfour is "alright" if you can live with the adverts, but to be 
truthful I'd rather spend a few quid a month on one of the online DVD 
rental services and watch what I want, when I want. Though at least F4 
are nice enough to turn the wretched on-screen graphics off when showing 
a film -- seems ITV's DOG doesn't have an "off" switch, and the 
ITV{2,3,4} DOGs are truly repulsive. It's especially bad with dark 
(visually speaking) films like Van Helsing and just about anything in 
black and white. Green splat in the corner, thanks ITV.

As long as the BBC keep funding BBC HD and the Natural History Unit, 
I'll retain my status as a (relatively) happy bunny. A few of their 
"experimental" short series have been pretty good as well, e.g. Being Human.

ITV Yorkshire has been pants since they (as in ITV Plc.) forced them to 
get rid of the chevron logo. P45-ing most of the staff at Kirkstall Road 
was a great move as well -- that pretty much counts as killing the goose 
that laid the golden eggs...

Bitter, me? Nah. I just don't like ITV 's all :)

Cheers,
-- 
Phil.
philpem@...          
http://www.philpem.me.uk/