ITV ITV , originally known as Independent Television , is a commercial television network of the United Kingdom . It was originally created in 1954 and went on the air in London on September 22 , 1955 as a second commercial network in competition with the BBC . The network was originally set up as a set of franchises distributed throughout the nation ; each franchise would create programmings for distribution both for locals of each franchise area and programs that , in some cases , would be ultimately distributed throughout the nation and throughout the world . The franchises would hold on to their region for a limited period of time until bidding would become available for the next franchise period ; in some cases , a franchise can be lost and replaced by another company and another franchise . As of 2004 , series of consolidations of regions and companies would culminate with the creation of one " network " for the entire nation with a majority control in two companies : Carlton and Granada . Association with The Muppets . The most notable ITV connection to Jim Henson and the Muppets is the franchise of Associated TeleVision , owned and controlled by television entrepreneur Lew Grade . ATV initially started as the franchisee of the Midlands area of England during the week with a London franchise on the weekend ; it is through the London franchise in the 1960s that ATV was able to base themselves at studios in the London suburb of Elstree . However , after the franchise decision of 1968 , ATV became full - week Midlands with the abandonment of the London franchise ; however the Elstree studios remained in their hands . ATV remained the franchisee of the Midlands until pressure for a more Midlands - oriented service from ITV ' s then - regulator , the Independent Broadcasting Authority ( IBA ) , forced a reorganization and the removal of Grade ' s involvement after December 31 , 1981 , creating Central Independent Television . The Muppets initially appeared on ATV through various variety show appearances , many of which were distributed in the United States via ITC Entertainment , which controlled international distribution . These appearances included The Julie Andrews Hour and Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass . After initial problems in getting " The Muppet Show " an American producer and distributor , Henson was able to get Grade to make the show , with the show part of the ATV lineup airing at different times throughout Britain due to the then - cooperative nature of ITV , which meant different regional companies would broadcast shows from each other at different times ( over the years , the consolidation of the ITV network has meant this practice has largely been stopped ) . Hence , all British air dates are based on the ATV airings in the Midlands when guides list them . Another notable ITV franchise associated with the Muppets was Television South ( TVS ) , which controlled the franchise of Southern England from 1982 to 1993 . This franchise was the main creator of the British segments and co - production of " Fraggle Rock " . Another franchise , Tyne Tees , launched in 1959 serving Northeast England , co - produced " The Ghost of Faffner Hall " " , " taping the series at their studio facility in Newcastle - upon - Tyne ( they have since moved and the original facility has been demolished ) .