Branches fight to save Midlands ITV

BECTU branches in ITV Central have published a report calling for network production to be retained in the Midlands region.

The well-researched document covers the history of Independent Television in the Midlands from 1956, through ATV to Central and Carlton.

Read the report on Midlands ITV (650kb pdf)

"Save our studios" badges worn by revellers at a union rally

ITV plc, formed by the merger of Carlton and Granada, is proposing redundancies and studio closures which will effectively end Network Production in the region.

First recipient of the report was Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, who has been urged by unions to take action to preserve the production of television programmes in the Midlands.

Highlighting Ofcom's inability or unwillingness to intervene to save the local industry, she is asked: "Would OFWAT wait to fine a water company after Midland's people had died in a drought?"

The report has also been sent to MPs in the East and West Midlands, Birmingham and Nottingham City Council, the East Midlands Development Agency, and Advantage West Midlands.

Members and viewers who are concerned by issues raised in the document should write to:

• Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH;

• Stephen Carter, Chief Executive, Ofcom Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HA

• Charles Allen CBE, Chief Executive, ITV PLC The London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT