Film & TV Database

Notes Associated Rediffusion (ARTV) from 1955 to 1964. Became Rediffusion, London (Rediffusion Television Ltd) from July 1964 to 1968 (when its weekday franchise was taken over by Thames TV). Subject files/ITC material held. Associated-Rediffusion was awarded the London weekday franchise in the 1954 round of franchise applications for the new independent television network (ITV). Its first transmission was on 22/9/1955 when, along with Associated Television, it opened the London service with coverage of an inaugural banquet from the Guildhall in London (see ITV OPENING NIGHT AT THE GUILDHALL). The initial contract for the franchise was to last up to July 1964. The company changed its name to Rediffusion on that date when it was re-appointed the franchise holder up to July 1967. The contract was further extended to July 1968. The company lost the franchise to Thames TV and its last transmission occurred on 29/7/1968. Thames continued with some of Rediffusion's programmes most notably the current affairs flagship THIS WEEK. Rediffusion's output continued to be sold by Gobal Television. The documentation was deposited with the IBA (Independent Braodcasting Authority, now the Independent Television Commission). Gobal TV deposited the surviving programmes with the NFTVA. The rights were held by Associated Rediffusion Film and TV Library; they are now held by Palan Entertainment. Rediffusion had head offices in Kingway, Holborn and a studio at Empire Way, Wembley.