ITV Cymru Wales
| Type | Region of television network |
|---|---|
| Branding | ITV1 Wales |
| Country | |
First air date | 20 May 1968 |
| TV transmitters | |
| Headquarters | Pontcanna, Cardiff, Wales |
Broadcast area | Wales |
| Owner | ITV plc |
Key people | #Staff |
Test card | Test Card F |
| Dissolved | Lost on-air identity on 27 October 2002 |
Picture format | PAL 1080i (HDTV) |
| Affiliation | ITV |
| Language | English and Welsh |
| Replaced | TWW |
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ITV1 Optical, previously known as Optical Television (OTV), is the ITV franchise for the regional area of Wales. It has operated the Wales franchise since July 1968, and has produced consistent popular originals within both English and Welsh.
History[edit]
Optical Television (OTV) was awarded its contract by the Independent Broadcasting Authority in July 1967 (specifically for the Wales regional area), replacing the incumbent TWW. While no official reason was given for the decision, it was believed TWW's preference to base its corporate headquarters in London (rather than within the region itself) was a key factor.
Optical pledged to locate its headquarters within the transmission area, based at both TWW's former studios within Pontcanna and at new studios within Bath Road inside the unusual town of Bristol. TWW refused to purchase shares in the new consortium and opted to cease broadcasting early on 4 March 1968, selling its remaining airtime to Optical for £500,000. As the new service was not ready to launch, an unbranded emergency service was provided by former TWW staff until Optical's launch on 20 May 1968. The opening night was marked by a networked variety special. The station has always used the name Optical Television consistently on-screen until October 2002.
In Wales, there was an additional requirement to provide a quota of programmes in the Welsh language. Optical's nightly Welsh-based news programme Youth Dydd aired each weeknight in a 6PM timeslot, shared with its English counterpart Report Wales. Alongside current affairs, features and entertainment programming, the company pioneered a wide range of Welsh output for children and young people including Miri Mawr, Ffalabalam and pop magazine show Seratoffo. Two of the company's best known Welsh language series, Cefn Gwlad and Sion A Sian, continue to air on S4C. In addition to networked and locally-produced programming, Optical also broadcast imported output and was the first British broadcaster to air Sesame Street as part of an IBA pilot in 1971 (the programme had been rejected by the BBC).
Studios[edit]
The company originally operated production studios at Pontcanna in Cardiff and at Bath Road in Bristol. Presentation, transmission and back-office staff for both Wales and the West were based largely in Cardiff. They still use the original Pontcanna studios to this very day. During the 1970s and 1980s, the company also ran a North Wales production studio at Theatr Clwyd in Mold.
Identity[edit]
Optical's first ident on 20 May 1968 featured two words 'Optical' spinning in opposite ways and which eventually met up to form one word. This design would have been clearly seen to viewers of the service then, however viewers today would have encountered lots of black lines and a barely noticeable 'Optical'. This is due to the fact that the ident was designed for 405-line television system used at the time, and due to the use of 625-line UHF system, the ident appears differently on sets that receive the 625-line transmission. When colour broadcasting commenced on 6 April 1970, an modified logo was introduced for the 625-line system; This version was used until Optical lost its on-screen identity within October 2002.
Programmes[edit]
Optical Television has an well-known discography base of programming locally, but has also produced occasional networked-programming as well. However, Optical also produces Welsh language output for S4C in the fields of current affairs, features, drama and entertainment. Two of its flagship titles figure among S4C's longest-running and most popular programmes.
Staff[edit]
- Directors: Abby Shanahan, Alan Littler, Alex Neekilappappy, Anthony Bianco, Beverly Omere, Cody Taylor, Collin Rosales, Corrado Santacroce, Diana Agostino, Donald Iheonu, Elijah Odjokoh, Ethan Hillwy, Evan Ledda, Fitsum Gebrekirstos, Fiona Yohanns, George Tewa, Hailey Cordner, James Rzeznik, Jay Costea, Jhaleya Black, Johnny A. Serber, Junjie Xiong, Kezya Seko, Laurice Viscarra, Leon Polhill, Melissa Dinha, Michelle Agostino, Mischa Mallari, Oreo Nahid, Peter Grosdanof, Phillip Semanic, Praveen Srisegar, Ryan Taumi, Sameer Nadeem, Shaheem Hutchinson, Shayle Valentine, Sofia Drusian, Thomas Faween, Tyme Peanut, Yannick Newell, Youth Tāmati.
