Central Independent Television

Emerging from the restructuring of ATV, Central Independent Television made its debut on New Year’s Day in 1982. The launch was marred by a prolonged dispute with unions over the East Midlands news programme, an issue that took over 18 months to resolve. Additionally, Central established a news coverage area for the South, focusing on Oxford and the Thames Valley. Initially intended to merge with Meridian North to form ITV Thames Valley in 2006, this plan was later scrapped in 2009, and both regions were integrated into ITV Meridian.

In January 1994, Central was acquired by Carlton Communications. By 1999, the station was rebranded as Carlton Central. In the wake of the 2004 merger between Carlton and Granada, the station became known as ITV Central.