Further information: Timeline of Westward TV and TSW
The company's first chairman was Peter Cadbury, who had left the board of Tyne Tees Television to set up the company and bid for the south-west franchise, which he won against 11 competing bids.[2] Cadbury named the company after the golf course at Westward Ho! in north Devon, where he played. Ironically, Westward Ho! was part of the region that found reception of the television signal most difficult, until the construction of the Huntshaw Cross relay transmitter in 1968. Westward's region was surrounded on three sides by the sea, which was strongly reflected in Westward's output and its company logo, a silver model of the Golden Hind.

In early January 1969, plans were drawn up for a merger between Westward and the Keith Prowse company, as Peter Cadbury was chairman of both.[3] By 17 January, the deal was done. EMI purchased Keith Prowse Music Publishing from Westward in the latter part of 1969.[4] Soon, the Westward board was in continual disagreement, and in January 1970 Cadbury was sacked and re-hired within days as the chairman of the Westward board, after he made outspoken remarks against the levy imposed on advertising revenue imposed by the IBA[5] while also withholding a Westward corporation tax bill to the Inland Revenue over the same matter.[6] By July 1980, Cadbury was finally removed from the Westward board[7] and over the following six months, he tried to regain control.

Westward began broadcasting in colour in 1971, initially from the Redruth transmitter, and a few months later colour was extended to the Stockland Hill and Caradon Hill transmitters. To mark the change, Westward's ident was re-shot in colour.[8]

Franchise loss
On 28 December 1980, while the ITV network was showing Drake's Venture (Westward Television's two-hour filmed drama to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe, starring John Thaw), ITN interrupted a commercial break to announce ATV was to undergo major changes and Southern and Westward had not had their licences renewed by the IBA; the south-west franchise was awarded to TSW (Television South West).

Following the loss of its franchise, Westward's management decided to sell up quickly, and the company (including its staff, premises and programme library) was purchased by TSW, early in 1981, for £2.38 million. TSW continued using the Westward name and symbol on screen until 31 December 1981; thereafter, it was re-branded on screen as TSW.

A special programme, 20 Years of Westward, was broadcast on 21 December 1981[9] to look back on the company's achievements. It was presented by Roger Shaw, and recorded in front of a studio audience. Hastings Mann's Westward Ho![10] was used as the theme music. Studio guests included Angela Rippon, Kenneth MacLeod and Sheila Kennedy. There were filmed contributions from Alan Freeman, Jan Leeming and David Vine and many clips of Westward programmes were shown. The special programme ended with a message from Peter Cadbury, in which he wished TSW well.

Closure
Unlike the other ITV stations that lost their franchises in this round, Westward (having been run by successor TSW since August 1981) opted to hand over at midnight on 31 December 1981. On that evening they broadcast the first 25 minutes of Scottish Television's Hogmanay show live, and then cut away just before midnight when Roger Shaw appeared on camera in a traditional dinner jacket seated at an antique wooden desk, surrounded by staff wearing formal suits and holding film reels and 2-inch videotapes. He closed Westward Television with this announcement:

Many thanks to our friends at Scottish Television, north of the border. Well, it's very nearly the end of 1981 and, for Westward Television, it's the end of its franchise to provide an independent television service for the south-west. So as we wish you a happy new year from Westward, it's also goodbye and thank you for all your support and kindness over the past 20 years. But a New Year's Eve is also a time for looking ahead and, as Dr. Samuel Johnson said, 'New things are made familiar and familiar things made new.' So as we say goodbye from Westward in 1981....

Launch of TSW
TSW then began with a short video clip of a champagne bottle being opened, accompanied by the short audio version of the station ident "That's Soul, Write". Shaw then re-appeared wearing a modern suit, no longer in a dinner jacket and now in a modern chair, surrounded by staff wearing TSW T-shirts and holding 2-inch videotapes. This was clearly to remind viewers of a new modern era as well as a new look. Shaw made the first announcement on TSW:

...let's say welcome to 1982 from your new television station, Television South West, with the promise of a full-bodied blend of the new and the familiar. And from all of us here on duty in these first few seconds of 1982, a happy new year from and with TSW. And to get the new year off to a good-humoured start, we have a brand new comedy with Peter Cook and Mimi Kennedy in The Two of Us.

This was followed by the full version of TSW's ident. One or both of the in-vision announcements had been pre-recorded due to the rapid change of outfits.

The comedy programme was followed by further continuity, an epilogue, weather and shipping forecast and closedown (with the national anthem) - all with TSW branding. However, when the screen finally faded to black at approximately 12:40am on 1 January 1982, Shaw made a final out-of-vision courtesy announcement and managed to mention the now-defunct Westward one last time, saying 'from all the staff here at Westward - good night'.

No recordings of the end of Westward Television were known to exist until 2012 (the 30th anniversary of the end of Westward), but then a full video recording of the evening, including the segment of STV's wiped Hogmanay show, was recovered by the classic television organisation Kaleidoscope. Parts of the recording were featured at a Kaleidoscope event[11] and at that year's Missing Believed Wiped at the British Film Institute.

Studios
Based at purpose-built studios at Derry's Cross in Plymouth, with a London office (sited at various locations including New Bond Street, Marble Arch and Sloane Square) and a sales office in Bristol.

The Derry's Cross studios were designed by the architects Treadgold and Elsey, who had previously designed the TWW Studios at Pontcanna, Cardiff and Arno's Court, Bristol (Howett 1994).

During Westward's tenure, Derry's Cross had three studios. Studio 1 was 2,500 sq ft (230 m2), Studio 2 was 400 sq ft (37 m2) and used for news, sport and interview programmes and an announcers' studio was located beside Master control.

The studios were originally fitted out by Marconi, using top-of-the-range studio equipment. Westward engineer Peter Rodgers recalled: "From the start, where we could afford it, we bought the best." (Howett 1994) By the time Westward began broadcasting, Derry's Cross had cost Westward over £500,000, with the company committed to spending another £20,000 on the studios by April 1962.

In 1981 the studios, along with the company, were purchased by TSW; in 1993 the building was sold to a firm of solicitors and converted into offices. In 2010 the buildings were demolished to make way for a new retail development.

Identity
Westward Television's corporate branding focused on the sea, and mainly used a ship emblem for their on-screen look. The first ident featured an image of a boat on the water, before replacing the image with a stylised ship image in a circle, complete with Westward legend and channel nine and twelve identifiers (representing the Stockland Hill and Caradon Hill transmitters of the time), to a tune of four chimes.[12] This was replaced in the mid-1960s by a model of the Golden Hind, shot against a black background with a simple Westward caption beneath accompanied by the Holly and the Ivy tune on brass instruments.[13] This ident was altered slightly in the late 1960s to update the font to Compacta Bold.

When colour television came to the region on 22 May 1971, the Golden Hind was re-shot against a blue background with the caption altered to include a small stylised ship image in a box in the lower left corner, followed by an outlined 'Westward TV' caption, with 'TV' in red. The tune that accompanied the colour television ident was originally a nautical fanfare on brass instruments, based on the song "Come Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl", arranged by Paul Lewis. This formed part of a longer ident theme titled An English Overture, used at the start of each day's broadcasts.[14] The short ident theme was changed around 1978 to a seven-note fanfare.[15] This was Westward's final ident and remained with the company until the end of the franchise.

In addition to these idents, Westward used a clock contained in a curved box with both analogue and digital displays, alongside the Westward Television stylised ship logo and name. Westward was a frequent user of in-vision continuity, with many of the station's personalities becoming well known in the region.

Programming
Westward's small size and the structure of ITV (which, at the time, deliberately made it hard for small and medium-sized ITV companies to contribute to the network) meant it produced comparatively little output for the network. Instead, the company concentrated on regional programming. From 1968 until the end of its franchise, the ITA (later the IBA) gave Westward a target of providing 6.5 hours of new regional programming a week - a target which they always exceeded.

Westward's programming schedule was always published as a magazine for the public to access. Initially, they published weekly programme listings in its own programme journal, Look Westward. The first edition cost 5d, and featured a special article by Westward board member Daphne du Maurier. Many Westward personalities, such as announcer Sheila Kennedy, also contributed articles to the magazine. As part of the 1968 franchise round, the ITA created Independent Television Publications (ITP), and Westward's weekly listings would be obliged to appear solely in the local edition of the national listings magazine TVTimes, which was published by ITP.

Local programming
Westward Television had a dual policy for its local programming: it produced a wide range of programmes of particular interest to the south-west's rural and agricultural communities, whilst simultaneously producing programming designed to stimulate its audience's interest in new areas.

One of the best known programmes was Treasure Hunt, a game show presented by Kenneth Horne and Keith Fordyce, among others, which ran for 14 years and at one stage featured Jethro as the pirate co-host.[16]

News and current affairs
By 1969, Westward had more than 100 correspondents across the region, reporting newsworthy local events, and eight film cameramen who would travel the region gathering footage and compiling reports. The flagship programme was Westward Diary, which began as a regional magazine programme broadcast three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) between 6:15 pm and 7 pm. Originally, there were three presenters – Barry Westwood, Reginald Bosanquet and Kenneth MacLeod – who rotated on a weekly basis. The regional news was contained in a separate ten-minute Westward News bulletin, broadcast every weekday at 6.05 pm, and subsequently supplemented by afternoon and late-night bulletins.

Westward Diary was soon merged with Westward News, to become what was known at the time as a 'regional news magazine', and was broadcast every weekday between 6.00 pm and 6:30 pm. Kenneth MacLeod was asked to present the new programme permanently. The news would be read by the duty announcer, so MacLeod's role on the Diary was not as a newsreader but a presenter holding the whole package together.

The weeknightly Westward Diary had two halves, separated by a commercial break. The first half concentrated on the regional news, whereas the second half included other items of interest to local viewers. A number of experts would visit to present regular features: Ted Tuckerman would present a fishing spot called Tight Lines, Jon Miller (the zoologist, and also presenter of Southern Television's How) would present a spot about nature, architect David Young would examine local architecture of interest, and Topline Broadhurst would present regular gardening spots. There was a regular spot called Help! for charity and voluntary groups; a slot called Pick of the Post in which viewers' letters would be read; and the popular[citation needed] Picture Puzzle, in which viewers had to try to guess the location shown in a photograph taken somewhere in the South West).

Westward staff returned to work a few days before the end of the ITV national strike of 1979. Kenneth MacLeod had to present Westward Diary in what looked to viewers like almost total darkness, as the union permitted only the house lights to be switched on in the studio.

In the early 1970s, A Date With Danton was a stand-alone weekly programme that provided a round-up of local arts and entertainment events. This later became a spot entitled "What's On", in Friday's edition of Westward Diary. The Friday edition of Sports Desk was a stand-alone programme in the early '70s, but this too became part of the Diary towards the end of the decade. To accommodate this, the length of Friday's edition of Diary was extended to an hour, and it occasionally featured a live studio audience. Westward was one of the first ITV regions to broadcast a late-evening regional news bulletin (Westward Late News).[17]

The local weather forecast in Westward Diary, with an emphasis on specialist information for fishermen and farmers, was given by a popular local personality, Graham Danton, who presented several programmes for Westward, including Holiday Times, an events listings programme aimed at people holiday-making in the region, and Late With Danton, a consumer programme.

On April Fools' Day, 1973, Westward broadcast a film about the village of Spiggot, which had boycotted decimalisation and were still using pre-decimal currency. Many viewers wrote to Westward in support of the villagers' stance, oblivious to the date the film was broadcast.

Children
An early programme for young people was Spin Along, a regional pop music programme presented by disc-jockey Alan Freeman. The first edition was broadcast on Tuesday 12 September 1961 at 6:15pm, in place of Westward Diary.[18] A second series began on 24 September 1962 and moved to 7pm.[19]

Another local music programme was Move Over Dad. In November 1963[20] The Beatles had to be smuggled into Derry's Cross through a tunnel to record an interview with continuity announcer Stuart Hutchison for the programme, due to the number of fans outside the studios.

Other 60s music programmes included Pop And Leslie[21] and The Westward Beat Competition from 1964. The Westward Beat Competition had a panel of judges that included Brian Epstein and Dick Rowe and was won by The Rustiks.[22]

In 1969, Angela Rippon joined Westward from BBC South West, as a producer of children's and women's programmes; she also produced a monthly show during the summer of 1972 which laid claim to being the first "Open Access" TV show for young people in the UK. This was called The Show Without A Title, and was the brainchild of the station's then Programme Controller Terry Fleet. The monthly show was presented by members of an editorial team that included David Rodgers, who later went on to become a familiar Westward TV staff presenter. Angela Rippon was the programme's Editor, with Roger Gage being its director. The show's run (which was broadcast at 5.20pm on Fridays after being pre-recorded in Studio One on the preceding Wednesday) was short-lived. A year later, in 1973, another series aimed at young people called Young Eyes took to the Westward TV airwaves; this was co-presented by Andy Price and the actress Lesley Manville. David Rodgers was again one of the regular contributors.

Another popular long-running programme featured a puppet rabbit, Gus Honeybun, who appeared with the duty announcer who read out birthday greetings to the region's children: The story went that Gus was found wandering Dartmoor by a Westward Outside Broadcast unit. Children could request that Gus waggle his ears, wink, stand on his head, count their age in "bunny-hops", or turn off the lights. Gus's behaviour tended to be excellent for Roger Shaw, but for Judi Spiers and Iain Stirling he could be rather unpredictable. Gus was retained by TSW when they took over the franchise.

On Sunday mornings, Westward aired Look and See, a five-minute religious slot for the under-8s broadcast from the continuity studio. Its presenters included Norah Thomas, Jill Mapson, Pat Webber and Ann Davey. As with most other ITV companies, the station also produced a nightly Epilogue under the title of Faith for Life, produced largely from the continuity studio.

In 1980, Westward produced Maggie's Moor, a seven part networked children's drama series about a young girl living on Dartmoor during the Second World War. It starred Tamar le Bailly as Maggie[23] and was produced and directed by John King,[24] the father of wildlife photographer and presenter Simon King, who featured as "The Buzzard Boy" in Episode 5.[25]

Agriculture
Agriculture was an important industry in South West England during Westward Television's franchise. Approximately 80% of land in South West England is in agricultural use (19.6% of England's total).[26] Westward TV had an Agricultural Advisory committee chaired by R. G. Pomeroy[27] to advise the company on its agricultural output. For nine months of the year, Westward broadcast Farming News[28] (later retitled Farm and Country News[29]) on Sunday lunchtimes presented and edited by Peter Forde.[30] Westward also produced an adult education series aimed at farmers called Acres For Profit.

Network contributions
Westward's contributions to the network were very rare at first, mainly consisting of one-off programmes and editions of the Morning Service (later renamed Morning Worship).

Initially, Westward had an arrangement with ABC Weekend Television (ABC) to provide its network programming. As Channel Television took its network feed from Stockland Hill, this obliged Channel to affiliate to ABC. These 'affiliate' arrangements lasted until they were abolished in the 1964 franchise round. Westward also had an arrangement with Associated TeleVision (ATV), to play out any networked Westward programmes onto the ITV network.

On 19 January 1972, there was a relaxation on the restrictions of broadcast hours that had been set by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications. This allowed regular daytime programming on weekday afternoons, and weekday morning programming during out-of-school term time. These extra off-peak hours gave smaller ITV companies a chance to provide some networked or part-networked programmes. By the mid '70s, Westward had taken advantage of this opportunity by finding a small niche producing adult education programmes for the ITV network. These included the series Westcountry Fayre (cookery), Freeze! (freezing food) and Keep Britain Slim (slimming).

About Britain
One of the new daytime weekday programmes introduced through the relaxation of broadcast hours was About Britain. This strand was made up of half-hour documentaries contributed by each of the ITV regions covering interesting aspects of their respective regions.

In 1973 the Countryside Commission opened the South West Coast Peninsula Walk from Minehead in Somerset to Swanage in Dorset via Land's End. Westward Television asked Diary reporter Clive Gunnell to walk the new route and film his journey.[31]

Clive was a Londoner. He had begun his television career as a props man at Associated-Rediffusion, where he first met Kenneth MacLeod.[32] He had already walked the new Two Moors Walk from Plymouth to Lynmouth and filmed his journey for Westward Diary. This had proved popular and led to the new series Walking Westward.[31]

Clive Gunnell set off from Weston-super-Mare rather than Minehead, and his journey took many series to complete. It took five series before he reached the south coast.[31] Westward used a selection of Clive's films as part of their contribution to About Britain,[33] and due to its network exposure Walking Westward remains one of Westward Television's best remembered programmes. Fifteen-minute sections of Clive Gunnell's walk along the Cornish coast were broadcast by the US Public Broadcasting Service as curtain raisers to the BBC's original version of Poldark in PBS's Masterpiece Theatre series.

Clive Gunnell also made documentaries about inland areas that were also contributed to About Britain. In 1977 his documentary To Tavistock Goosie Fair[34] won "Most Outstanding Regional Production of 1977".[35] In 1980 he began work on a series of six films on Dartmoor called Dartmoor.[36] Some of these films were featured in the About Britain strand in 1981.[37]

Doing Things
Like About Britain, Doing Things was a series of half-hour filmed documentaries contributed by the various ITV regions and broadcast in the early afternoon. It was broadcast in 1973–74 and looked at hobbies.[38] Westward Television contributed Beachcombing, a film presented and directed by Clive Gunnell, to this series.[33]

On 28 December 1980 TSW was awarded the contract to serve the South West England region from the night of 31 December 1981 at 12 midnight for a 10-year period, succeeding incumbent Westward Television, which had served the area since 1961.

TSW promised greater investment in the area including the introduction of electronic news gathering facilities at a number of sites in the region (a process already started by Westward) and a stronger emphasis on local programming (an area in which Westward had been particularly successful).

However, TSW's success in winning the contract may have been helped by boardroom friction within Westward which had blighted the company for several years and incurred criticism from the Independent Broadcasting Authority. During negotiations to purchase Westward's facilities at Derry's Cross in Plymouth, the management of TSW bought the whole Westward company for £2.38 million and thus went on air four months early on 12 August 1981, although it transmitted under the Westward name until the end of the year.[2][better source needed][3]

TSW was seen as slightly more ambitious than both its predecessor Westward Television and its successor Westcountry Television and its presentation, although still homelier than much seen on ITV and not dissimilar to that of Westward, was considered more professional than that of its forebear.

TSW was one of the last ITV companies to start broadcasting 24 hours a day, which it did on 2 September 1988 – the same day as Border Television, Tyne Tees Television and Grampian Television.[4] It was also one of the first ITV companies to broadcast in NICAM digital stereo, which it started doing in summer 1990.

Launch
For Westward Television's closing announcement, by Roger Shaw, that opened TSW, see Westward Television § Closure.
Shortly, right after Roger Shaw delivered the closing announcement on Westward's closing night, TSW began with a short video clip of a champagne bottle being opened accompanied by the short audio version of the station ident "That's Soul, Write". Shaw then reappeared wearing a modern suit (no longer in a dinner jacket), and now in a modern chair, surrounded by staff wearing TSW T-shirts and holding 2" videotapes. This was clearly to remind viewers of a new modern era. Shaw made the first announcement on TSW:

...let's say welcome to 1982 from your new television station, Television South West, with the promise a full-bodied blend of the new and familiar. And from all of us here on duty in these first few seconds of 1982, a happy new year from and with TSW. And to get the new year off to a good-humoured start, we have a brand new comedy with Peter Cook and Mimi Kennedy in The Two of Us.

This was followed by the full version of TSW's ident. The comedy programme was followed by further continuity, an epilogue, weather & shipping forecast and closedown – all with TSW branding. However, when the screen finally faded to black at approximately 12:40 am on 1 January 1982, Shaw made a final out-of-vision courtesy announcement and managed to mention the now-defunct Westward one last time, saying 'from all the staff here at Westward – good night'.

Franchise loss and closure
On 16 October 1991, following changes to the way ITV contracts were issued (via a blind auction rather than a bid on merits and potential) it was announced that TSW had lost its franchise because of an 'unrealistic business plan' related to its bid, which was viewed by the Independent Television Commission (ITC) as being far too high. This triggered TSW to apply for a judicial review against the ITC, on the grounds that its bid had been unfairly dismissed. TSW believed that it was a casualty of the ITC's wish not to renew TVS's franchise, despite being the highest bid, while renewing Granada's when it had been outbid. The case went right to the House of Lords, but was rejected in February 1992. The implications of the court case did change the behaviour of the ITC into being more open with regards to its business.

TSW's high bid of £16.12 million had been influenced largely by managing director Harry Turner's correct expectation of competitors for its franchise area, which were TeleWest Broadcasting (not to be confused with the telecommunications provider of the same name) and Westcountry Television, the latter "looking frighteningly well organised"[5] that had worried TSW. TeleWest was headed by local independent programme producer Mallory Maltby and included BBC News personality Angela Rippon and several ex-TSW personnel in its line-up, but had failed on quality grounds unlike Westcountry.[5] Westcountry, meanwhile, was chaired by merchant banker Stephen Redfarn, who was a former associate of James Gatward (one of the founders of neighbouring TVS), received the support of such figures as John Banham (the then-director of Confederation of British Industry), Frank Copplestone (the former managing director of TVS's predecessor Southern Television) and John Prescott-Thomas (a television executive at BBC South West), and had financial backing from Associated Newspapers, Brittany Ferries and South West Water, which TSW had assumed would have helped Westcountry to "certainly bid to their maximum capacity",[5] a bid a "worried" TSW itself had estimated would have been £12 million a year[5] rather than the less-than-£8 million Westcountry ended up bidding.

Studios
When TSW won the franchise, the company purchased Westward's studio facilities at Derry's Cross, Plymouth along with all the staff. The studios, which had suffered from a lack of investment under Westward, were completely refurbished with a £4 million investment programme which saw the introduction of new production equipment and an additional studio being constructed. The refurbishment was completed two years later.

When TSW lost its franchise, its successor, Westcountry, chose not to purchase the studios, preferring new facilities outside Plymouth city centre, at Langage Science Park, Plympton instead, ending 31 years of broadcasting from Derry's Cross Studios. Transmission control of the new station would not be handled in Plymouth as previously, but in Cardiff at HTV Wales headquarters. The old TSW studios were then stripped with the equipment being auctioned, and the building itself was converted into offices. A solicitors practice called Foot Anstey (formerly Foot & Bowden) was then based there until 16 March 2009[8][better source needed] The former studios were demolished just before Christmas 2009 to make way for an adjacent retail, residential and hotel development.[9]

In addition to the Plymouth base, TSW also operated a newsroom and remote studio in Yeovil, as well as local offices in Barnstaple and Exeter.

Station identity
TSW's symbol was an abstract design representing palm trees, rolling hills and water; features typical of the region.[citation needed]

The music accompanying the original ident was a section of the station theme, That's Soul, Write, written and composed by Will Malone,[citation needed] which was also aired regularly at closedown until 1985.

In September 1989, when the ITV network introduced a new corporate logo and national on-air identity, TSW was one of the five regions that didn't use the generic idents designed for the region, preferring to stay with their own idents.

Programming
Like its predecessor, TSW produced few programmes for the ITV network. Exceptions to this included the game shows, That's My Dog and Sounds Like Music and children's cartoon Tube Mice, about mice who lived beneath the London Underground. It also produced The Cut Price Comedy Show, a short-lived production broadcast in the early days of Channel 4. Locally, TSW continued to utilise the Westward star Gus Honeybun, a rabbit puppet that (along with the station's continuity announcers) read out birthday dedications on-air to children from the area, who had sent in their cards to him.

TSW also specialised in making relatively highbrow programmes for the region; in the arts world, it produced documentaries showcasing amongst others, leading concert pianist Moura Lympany, potter Bernard Leach, and sculptor Barbara Hepworth.

Scheduling opt-outs
TSW was a notably regional company, declaring itself as a channel in its own right, rather than just being part of the ITV network. It had a reputation for scheduling to suit its own requirements and would often broadcast particular shows at different times to the other ITV regions or even opt out of network activity completely. Such notable scheduling changes included:

Series two of Blockbusters was not broadcast in full. Around 50 editions of the 1984/5 series were shown eight months later, during summer holiday mornings: 1 July – 24 August 1985.[10][better source needed]
Weekday editions of Gus Honeybun's Magic Birthdays often replaced the first and last Children's ITV live in-vision continuity links of the day, from 1987 – 1990.[10][better source needed]
The Australian soap, Home and Away was moved from its 5:10 pm teatime repeat slot to a much earlier time-slot of 3:27 pm on 20 September 1989. It stayed in this afternoon time-slot for three years until September 1992.[10][better source needed]
The networked sitcom, The Piglet Files, starring Nicholas Lyndhurst, was not shown on TSW until a few months after its original run in all other ITV regions. Another networked sitcom, The Nineteenth Hole, starring Eric Sykes, was dropped mid-run after complaints from viewers regarding its politically incorrect humour.[10][better source needed][11][better source needed]
The ITV Chart Show was dropped on occasions (mostly for special programmes) so that TSW could show its weekly news review for deaf people, The South West Week.[10][better source needed]
Additionally, Channel Television, the ITV contractor for the Channel Islands required a network feed from another nearby ITV region on the mainland, which was provided by Westward Television for many years, until it lost its franchise in 1981. TSW took over the requirement from 1982, until 1986, when Channel switched to TVS for the feed instead. After TVS lost its franchise in the 1991 ITV auction round, Meridian Broadcasting provided the network feed from 1993 onwards. Write a news article Dec 31 1992, Westcountry takes over tommorow

Westcountry Television to Take Over South West ITV Service Tomorrow

December 31, 1992 – Plymouth, South West England

Tomorrow marks a significant change for viewers of ITV in the South West, as Westcountry Television takes over the regional franchise from Television South West (TSW) at midnight, ending an era that began over 30 years ago with Westward Television and continued under TSW since 1981.

The transition comes almost exactly 11 years after TSW began broadcasting in January 1982, following its purchase of the former Westward Television company and studios in Plymouth. TSW's tenure has been marked by a strong regional identity, local programming, and a commitment to the South West community, but it lost its franchise in the controversial 1991 ITV auction round due to its high bid, which was deemed unrealistic by the Independent Television Commission (ITC).

Westcountry Television’s successful bid promised a fresh approach and renewed investment in local broadcasting. The new franchise holder took a markedly different tack, emphasizing modern facilities and programming tailored to the region’s diverse communities. The company has established its headquarters outside Plymouth city centre at the Langage Science Park in Plympton, signaling a new chapter with state-of-the-art production capabilities replacing the old Derry's Cross studios that had served the region for over three decades.

A New Era Begins

The last moments of TSW’s broadcast will be marked by a formal handover to Westcountry shortly after midnight on January 1st, 1993, ushering in new programming intended to connect more deeply with viewers throughout Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire.

Westcountry’s leadership has promised stronger local news coverage with enhanced Electronic News Gathering (ENG) resources and an increased focus on diverse regional programming spanning rural interests, culture, and the arts.

Reflecting on the Past

TSW’s legacy includes popular program strands such as Gus Honeybun’s Magic Birthdays, local arts documentaries, and contributions to network programming – though it was best known for its regional emphasis and distinctive scheduling that sometimes differed significantly from the rest of ITV. However, TSW struggled with the new franchise renewal process, as its bid was viewed by regulators as financially unsustainable, leading to a protracted legal challenge ultimately unsuccessful.

Westcountry enters the market with the support of regional figures from a broad spectrum of industries, including backing from Associated Newspapers, Brittany Ferries, and South West Water, which led to its confident and viable bid.

Looking Forward

Viewers can expect the Westcountry launch night to feature specially commissioned programming that blends the new company's vision with respect for the South West's rich heritage. Plans are also underway to expand regional productions and invest in innovative formats aimed at all demographics across the region.

As the clock strikes midnight tomorrow, the South West says goodbye to TSW and welcomes Westcountry Television: a new voice for the region’s independent television service.

For more details on the launch schedule and upcoming programming, viewers are encouraged to tune in to ITV South West.

Write the launch video saying about the new station, Westcountry Live will bring you up-to-the-minute news every night

[Opening shot: A sweeping aerial view of the South West’s coastline, rolling hills, and iconic landmarks bathed in early morning light. The new Westcountry logo gently fades in.]

Voiceover (warm, confident tone):
"From the heart of the South West, a new voice is rising. Westcountry Television is proud to bring you a fresh perspective on the stories that matter most."

[Cut to scenes of bustling towns, fishermen at work, farmers in the fields, families enjoying local events, and vibrant city streets.]

Voiceover:
"We’re committed to your community — your news, your views, your life."

[Cut to studio shots of a modern newsroom with journalists working, reporters preparing for live broadcasts, and the Westcountry news team.]

Voiceover:
"And every night on Westcountry Live, we’ll bring you up-to-the-minute news — reliable, relevant, and right from your doorstep."

[Cut to anchor smiling confidently at the news desk, ready to deliver the evening bulletin.]

Voiceover:
"Westcountry Television. Your region. Your news. Your station."

[The logo appears again with a short musical sting as the screen fades.]

Write a news article Jan 1 1993 listing everything the new station has

Westcountry Television Launches Today – A New Era for South West ITV

January 1, 1993 – Plymouth, South West England

Today marks the official launch of Westcountry Television, the new ITV franchise broadcaster for the South West region, taking over from Television South West (TSW). With fresh facilities, an ambitious programming slate, and a renewed commitment to local viewers, Westcountry promises to bring a vibrant new voice to Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire.

State-of-the-Art Studios and Facilities

Westcountry Television has established its base at modern, purpose-built studios located at Langage Science Park on the outskirts of Plymouth. This move ends over 30 years of broadcasting from the historic Derry's Cross studios, previously operated by Westward Television and TSW. The new complex features:

Three fully equipped production studios with cutting-edge video and audio technology
A dedicated newsroom with the latest electronic news gathering (ENG) systems
Advanced editing suites and post-production facilities
Modern continuity and transmission suites for seamless broadcasting
The company has invested heavily in these new facilities, aiming to deliver high-quality programming with greater production values, flexibility, and responsiveness.

Expanded News Coverage

Central to Westcountry’s offering is its new flagship regional news programme, Westcountry Live, which airs every weeknight with up-to-the-minute reports on local, regional, and national stories. The news team is staffed by experienced journalists, reporters, and presenters dedicated solely to serving the South West community.

In addition to evening news, Westcountry provides comprehensive midday and late-night bulletins, along with weekend updates. The company has also strengthened its regional reporting network, with correspondents based across the area to ensure extensive coverage of rural and coastal stories alike.

Diverse Local Programming

Westcountry plans to build on the tradition of strong local programming championed by its predecessors, with an expanded focus on the diverse interests of the South West region. Highlights include:

Agriculture and Rural Affairs: New series covering farming innovations, rural business, and countryside conservation.
Arts and Culture: Documentaries and features showcasing local artists, musicians, and cultural events.
Children’s Programming: Fresh shows designed for young viewers, continuing the legacy of beloved regional children’s favourites.
Community Features: Regular programs highlighting voluntary groups, charities, and local initiatives.
Leisure and Tourism: Guides and lifestyle shows promoting the South West’s natural beauty and visitor attractions.
Enhanced Viewer Interaction

Westcountry aims to foster greater viewer involvement, expanding opportunities for audience feedback and participation through phone-ins, competitions, and upcoming “open access” television projects. The company also plans to produce a new local listings magazine, complementing its on-air schedule.

Strong Regional Identity

The station’s branding reflects the South West’s distinctive landscape—soft greens of rolling hills, deep blues of the Atlantic, and the iconic imagery of palm trees and coastal life, embodied in Westcountry’s new logo and theme music.

Looking Ahead

Westcountry Television’s launch signals a fresh start for ITV in the South West. With increased investment, modern facilities, and a commitment to serving the region’s unique needs, the new broadcaster is poised to become an integral part of daily life for millions of viewers.

As the station begins broadcasting tonight, residents across the South West are invited to tune in and experience the new face of regional television — one that promises to deliver a full-bodied blend of the new and the familiar.

For schedules and further information on Westcountry Television and its new programming, viewers should consult their local TV listings.

Write a memo from a worker from the former company saying come January, the only obvious remnant of the old channel will be

Internal Memo

To: All Staff
From: [Name], [Position]
Date: December 28, 1992
Subject: Transition to Westcountry Television – What Remains of Westward/TSW

As we approach the end of December and prepare for Westcountry Television’s launch on January 1, it’s important to reflect on what this transition means for us and the legacy we leave behind.

While the new company brings modern facilities, new programming, and a fresh identity, the reality is that come January, the only obvious remnant of the old channel — formerly Westward Television and later TSW — will be the beloved puppet character Gus Honeybun.

Gus has been a cherished part of our broadcast tradition for decades, delighting generations of children with his quirky antics and birthday greetings. We’re pleased to note that Westcountry intends to keep Gus on air, preserving at least this familiar connection to our shared history.

Beyond Gus, the rest of our old branding, studio locations, and programming will be replaced by Westcountry’s new look, new team, and new approach.

Let us take pride in what we have achieved and wish the new team well as they take this next step in South West television history.

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication over the years.

[Name]
[Position]

Write a news article Jan 1, The TSW staff were "hesitant" to give the puppet away, proposing to make a replica for Westcountry, but "the audience would tell the difference"

TSW Staff “Hesitant” to Hand Over Beloved Puppet Gus Honeybun, Considered Making a Replica for Westcountry

January 1, 1993 – Plymouth, South West England

As Westcountry Television officially takes over the ITV franchise for the South West region today, an unexpected point of sentiment has emerged among staff from the outgoing Television South West (TSW). The beloved puppet Gus Honeybun, a cheerful rabbit who has appeared alongside continuity announcers for decades, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of both viewers and TSW employees alike.

Insiders reveal that TSW staff were initially "hesitant" about transferring the original Gus puppet to Westcountry. The outgoing team reportedly even proposed creating a replica of Gus for the new broadcaster, hoping to preserve the character’s distinctive charm while retaining the original within their archives.

However, a consensus quickly emerged that the audience would "tell the difference" between the original puppet and any copy, emphasizing how much Gus's personality was tied to the original marionette’s unique expressions and movements.

Gus Honeybun has been a mainstay of ITV's South West programming since the early days of Westward Television, with generations of children tuning in to see the birthday greetings read out by continuity announcers alongside the mischievous puppet. The character’s warmth and regional familiarity contributed to the tight bond between viewers and their local television station.

Westcountry Television, recognizing Gus’s iconic status, has confirmed plans to retain the original puppet as part of its on-air presentation, providing a comforting link between the outgoing franchise and the new era of broadcasting.

As the region embarks on a new chapter in television, Gus’s continued presence serves as a reminder of the enduring local traditions that bind communities together, even amid change.

Viewers can look forward to seeing Gus Honeybun appear regularly on Westcountry, bringing birthday wishes and smiles to the South West’s young audiences.

Write a news article saying the segment received new co-hosts and a new set/graphics on Jan 1

Gus Honeybun Birthday Segment Returns with New Co-Hosts and Fresh Look on Westcountry Launch Day

January 1, 1993 – South West England

The much-loved Gus Honeybun birthday segment made its debut on Westcountry Television today, now featuring a refreshed format with new co-hosts and updated set and graphics.

A hallmark of South West ITV for decades, Gus Honeybun—the cheeky puppet rabbit famous for sharing birthday greetings—has remained a treasured fixture during the transition from the former Television South West (TSW) to Westcountry Television.

To mark the new era, Westcountry has revamped the segment with a modern studio set that combines bright, welcoming colors and nautical-themed design elements reflecting the region’s coastal heritage. Accompanying the updated set is a brand-new graphics package, designed to appeal to contemporary audiences while preserving the friendly charm that Gus has long embodied.

Additionally, Westcountry introduced new co-hosts to accompany Gus on air. The fresh presenters bring renewed energy and warmth to the slot, helping to engage young viewers and families tuning in across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, and Somerset.

Despite the changes, efforts have been made to maintain the segment’s familiar spirit and continuity, ensuring long-time fans still feel at home while attracting a new generation of viewers.

The revamped Gus Honeybun segment serves as a nostalgic yet forward-looking nod to regional television’s past and future, promising to remain a cherished part of Westcountry’s local programming line-up.

Tune in regularly to see Gus and his new co-hosts celebrate birthdays across the South West!

Franchise award
Westcountry Television was one of two rival consortia bidding against the incumbent TSW when the ITV franchises were put to tender early in 1991.[2] Two of Westcountry's original shareholders were Brittany Ferries and South West Water; the latter investor attracted criticism as only three years earlier it had been responsible for one of the worst water pollution incidents in the United Kingdom and which had occurred within the franchise area at Camelford. On 16 October 1991, Westcountry was announced as the winner, bidding £7 million a year against TSW's bid of £16 million a year.[3][4] Several local MPs were concerned that South West Water's involvement would lead to partiality in news items concerning the local water firm.

TSW launched a legal challenge to the franchise award,[5] and after initially being refused permission to do so in the High Court,[4] a legal action began which would last almost three months and went all the way to the House of Lords.[6] In February 1992 the legal process found in favour of Westcountry[7] and while it could now finally sign the franchise agreement, its original programme plans were hit by the delay. Following discussions with the Independent Television Commission, Westcountry announced on 1 April 1992 it had abandoned the plans to build new studios on the Plymouth waterfront, opting instead to convert an industrial unit at Langage Science Park, Plymouth. It also reduced its planned staffing levels – already far fewer than those of TSW – leading to an expression of disappointment by TSW's managing director Harry Turner. Of the 297 TSW employees, only 16 found work at Westcountry at the start of the franchise.[6] Around 112 staff were employed by Westcountry at the time of the station's launch.

Launch
Westcountry replaced TSW at midnight on 1 January 1993 after ITN's Into The New Year bulletin featuring the Westminster clock tower chimes. Technicians switched from the TSW microwave link to Westcountry Television, launching into a two-minute trail voiced by Bruce Hammal and Trish Bertram welcoming viewers to Westcountry, proudly announcing its forthcoming regional programmes. The promo was followed by the Eddie Murphy and Dudley Moore film Best Defense. The new station promised an increase to 11 hours a week of regional programming of mixed genres.[8]

Six months after the launch, the company joined up with Meridian Broadcasting, HTV, Channel Television and S4C to create a joint advertising sales operation.[9]

During the summer of 1996, Westcountry prepared to float the company on the stock market, which resulted in HTV, United News & Media, Carlton Communications and Canwest bidding to buy out Westcountry.[10] In October 1996 GWR, the radio group, made a bid of £70m for Westcountry TV, outbidding both HTV and Carlton,[11] but within a few weeks United News & Media increased its offer and was expected to acquire the company,[12] But Westcountry owners had become increasingly frustrated at the slow progress of talks[13] and criticised United boss Lord Hollick's "nickel and dime" tactics over negotiations, opting instead to sell to Carlton Communications for £10m higher than United's offer of around £75m, around 25 November 1996. Hollick was described as "disappointed but far from livid" at the outcome.[14][15] Subsequently, Westcountry was re-branded as Carlton Westcountry on 6 September 1999, although only referred on screen as Carlton. On 27 October 2002, Carlton Westcountry lost its regional identity, and became known as ITV1 Carlton prior to regional programmes only, while being known as ITV1 at all other times.[16][17] The franchise briefly became ITV1 for the Westcountry in 2003, before being renamed onscreen as ITV1 Westcountry upon the ITV plc merger of 2004,[16] and officially taking this name two years later. ITV1 Westcountry was used for a time after this, although from 13 November 2006, the regional name was only verbally mentioned before any locally produced programming. Write a forum conversation May 22 2008, A user says due to ITV's consolidation practices over the years, I can only think of 2 shows being produced at Plymouth currently, And now they are "threatening" to merge Westcountry with ITV West, This would mean the death of the Plymouth studios, A user says besides Westcountry Live, the only other thing they produce is.....

Forum: South West TV Fans

Thread: Westcountry Studios and ITV Consolidation Concerns (May 22, 2008)

User1: SouthwestViewer
May 22, 2008, 3:43 PM
"Due to ITV's consolidation practices over the years, I can only think of two shows being produced at Plymouth currently. And now they're 'threatening' to merge Westcountry with ITV West. This would almost certainly mean the death of the Plymouth studios, which have been such an important part of our region's TV history. It's really worrying to see such a reduction in local production. Anyone else heard anything more about what's actually being made down there these days?"

User2: StudioInsider
May 22, 2008, 4:10 PM
"Besides Westcountry Live — which is still the mainstay for regional news — the only other thing they produce out of Plymouth these days is the occasional special feature or documentary for network slots, but those are rare and often outsourced. So yeah, your hunch is right, really just Westcountry Live keeps the Plymouth studios running in any meaningful capacity. The rest of the regional content is mostly produced elsewhere or centralized now, sadly."

User3: TVHistorianSW
May 22, 2008, 4:35 PM
"This echoes the gradual decline we've been tracking since the merger of ITV companies began in the early 2000s. Plymouth has seen fewer original productions over the years, and the rumors of merging Westcountry with ITV West (which serves more urban Bristol and Gloucester areas) means the 'local' identity could lose a lot of its meaning. The infrastructure might get mothballed or dismantled if the merger happens."

User4: ConcernedKim
May 22, 2008, 5:02 PM
"Really sad to hear this. Westcountry Live was such a staple for keeping the South West informed. If that’s all that remains, then it’s already lost a lot of the variety and richness of programming the region deserves. Hope the studios and local crews can hang on for as long as possible."

User5: OptimisticPete
May 22, 2008, 5:45 PM
"Let’s hope ITV values the importance of genuine regional programming. Merging studios to cut costs might be good business, but it risks alienating viewers who want coverage relevant to their local communities. Fingers crossed that Plymouth keeps at least some ongoing output."

Summary:
The main production in Plymouth currently is Westcountry Live (the nightly news program), alongside occasional features. With looming ITV consolidation plans, many fear the Plymouth studios might close, representing a significant loss for regional TV production.

Write a reply saying something that also still runs, but only on weekend morning, and on a shoestring budget

User6: LocalLoyalist
May 22, 2008, 6:15 PM
"There’s also that Gus Honeybun’s Magic Birthdays segment which still runs, but only on weekend mornings nowadays. It’s basically kept alive on a shoestring budget with minimal crew and pretty basic production values compared to what it used to be. It’s more of a nostalgic nod than a full-scale production, but at least it’s still there and still brings a smile to the little ones in the region. Hardly enough to keep the studios busy, but every bit helps!"
Write a forum conversation Oct 9 2008, the aftermath of ITV's announced cuts in regional programming (with full OFCOM approval, of course) has rather severe implications for Westcountry - it won't be scaled back, it will simply be scrapped.

As of Spring 2009, the langage headquarters will be closed, all regional production from Plymouth will cease and the old HTV West region will take over Westcountry's patch, creating a gigantic 'region' running from Lands End up to Bristol and (on analogue at least) stretching into an area which until recently was part of Central South. A

Although some sort of separate short Westcountry bulletin will be retained (apparently broadcast through satellite trucks) and small newsrooms will be maintained, there will now be only a single main news programme for the entire area produced from Bristol, with only 15 minutes of editorial remit to cover the existing Westcountry region.

As always, this apparently is a great day for regional broadcasting because loosing the burden of maintaining Westcountry as a separate station apparently will leave ITV free to create 'a really strong programme' for the region.

Can't say its surprising. The writing for Westcountry has been on the wall ever since ITV managed to redraw the franchise map and create the fictional Thames Valley region off it's own back, and was more or less confirmed last year when it was announced that Westcountry's 4:3 facilities would not be upgraded to widescreen as all the other regions were. I'm actually surprised its taken them this long to do it.

So now it looks like ITV are moving into the endgame: not content with centralising everything in London and moving non-news regional programming down to BBC levels, they are now closing stations and simply extending the patch of the remaining ones. Also Meridian and Thames Valley with a single programme, Border and Tyne Tees are also merging, A user says this might as well be ITV Regional News's equivalent of NGE's Third Impact