ITV regions debate

[Markymark]

I'm not sure that was the case with the 1993 franchises, after all they were a franchise - which basically gave them the right to transmit ITV programming to that region.

No, 1955 to 1991 (while the ITA/IBA existed) the IBA was the legal entity broadcaster, and the ITV companies held Franchises, and were Programme Contractors.

In 1991 the ITV companies became licence holding broadcasters, and the IBA was split up to form the ITC (TV regulator) Radio Authority (Radio Regulator) and NTL (Transmitter provider)