Central Independent Television
Central Television, the Midlands ITV station, started out life as Associated Television. One of the original companies on the ITV network, ATV gained the full time license to the Midlands from the 1968 franchise renewal. Following concerns about their commitment to the region, the IBA required the station to take on a more local approach in order to renew the franchise in 1982, and thus the company was restructured to create Central Independent Television. Central would continue to broadcast throughout the 80s and 90s, before being swallowed up by Carlton and eventually ITV plc. Throughout its life, the station became well known for it's graphics, and for it's large contribution to the ITV network schedule, with several long running gameshow series and famous dramas such as Inspector Morse. They would also be responsible for producing the Children's ITV afternoon section of the ITV schedule, until this was moved out with the closure of the Midlands facilities in the mid 2000s.
ATV - 1981
From the precursor to the company that would become Central, the famous ATV eye ran from the introduction of colour to the station through until the franchise was replaced by the new Central Television in 1982.
Central - 1985
Introduced shortly into the life of the new Central station in 1983, one of the early idents for the station featured a moon lighting up with the colours of the rainbow down the left, all set against a black background. This was also used as the frontcap for networked shows, even after it had been replaced locally, until these were dropped from ITV.
Central - 1988
As computer graphics began to arrive to Central in the mid 80s, the Midlands station really began to play with the new technology available to them. A new logo, affectionately known to many as the 'Cake' appeared, now featuring the logo broke into segments. Very convenient and simple blocks to manipulate, over the next decade the pres department seemed to make it their job to come up with as many different ways to animate these as they could think of. In this example, the Central logo and cake spin around each other, before the word 'Central' settles at an angle.
Central (Next) - 1988
Central (Endcap) - 1988
With frontcaps being dropped from the network, Central were keen to keep their visual identity on the air across the network. So another of their animated idents was repurposed as an animated endcap (until these were also ruled out by the network). In this one, as the camera pans around, coloured spheres drop onto the colourless part of cake to add in the signature Central colours.
Central - Christmas 1987
Central (Promo) - Christmas 1987
Central (ITV) - 1989
Central took some elements of the first generic look introduced on September 1st 1989. However being Central, they were quick to put their own spin on things. One of their own inhouse idents was re-edited to include the generic ITV formup animation as a secondary feature, whilst retaining their logo and jingle at the forefround. With this airing dating from October 1989 just over a month after the network look had debuted, and crashing into yet another programme here on the station.
Central (Programme Change) - 1989
Central (Tonight) - 1989
Central (Promo) - 1989
Central (Promo) - 1989
Central (Tonight) - 1989
Another promo from Central, with another variation of the endboard graphics. Promoting one of their own long-running shows for the network here with a trailer for 'Family Fortunes', even to the extent of telling us the families taking part that week. In this case, it's the Pancholi family versus the Baynham family.
Central (Later) - 1990
Central (Promo) - 1990
Central (Next) - 1990
Central (Next) - 1990
Another purple slide from Central, similar but subtly different to the last. This time the Central logo animates differently before fading out completely, and a different soundtrack features. Aditionally the words 'A Central Presentation' are overlaid allowing it to double up as an endcap to the previous show.
Central (Next) - 1991
Central (Summer) - 1993
Central (Sports) - 1993
Central (Promo) - 1993
Central (Drama) - 1995
Central - 1995
Central (Movies) - 1995
Central (Next) - 1995
Central (Promo - Movies) - 1995
Central (Promo - Documentaries) - 1995
Central (Promo) - 1995
Central (Sales Advert) - 1995
Carlton Central - 2001
After several years of creeping Carltonisation in the Central region, in 1999 Carlton finally homogenised all their regions under the same Carlton package, albeit still retaining separate playout and continuity. One of several idents from the Carlton Hearts/Star look here, as it appeared in the Central region in 2001. This was shortly after idents had been updated to feature the ITV1 logo rather than just ITV.
Carlton Central - 2001
A shorter version of one of the Carlton star idents without the full formup, meaning there are no traces of hearts to be seen anywhere. In this variant, the holding state uses more formal shades of blue to lead into the late news in the Central region. Seen here from after the tweak from ITV to ITV1, post August 2001.
