GMTV
Encyclopedia
GMTV was the national Channel 3
breakfast television
contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom
from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end. The final showing of GMTV was broadcast on 3 September 2010.
franchise since 1993, when it outbid the previous 6:00–9:25 am Channel 3 licence-holder, TV-am
, in the 1991 franchise rounds, which were announced on 16 October that year. The first show was broadcast on Friday, 1 January 1993 and was presented by Eamonn Holmes
and Anne Davies. Its main weekday presenters at launch were Fiona Armstrong
and Michael Wilson
. By March 1993, following poor ratings, Wilson had moved to present the news-focused 6.00 - 7.00 a.m. slot, which in 1994 became the "Reuters News Hour". Armstrong continued to co-present with Eamonn Holmes until April 1993, when her departure coincided with a revamp of the main programme, which included a new set that mimicked that of TV-am. Armstrong was replaced by Lorraine Kelly
, who had been launch presenter of the post-9 a.m slot "Top of the Morning".
GMTV was first intended to be called Sunrise Television, but as Sky News
' breakfast programming also went by that name (and still does to this day), Sky protested, resulting in the change of name.
STV Group plc (then known as SMG plc), owner of two of the three Channel 3 regional licences for Scotland (Scottish Television
and Grampian Television
) previously owned 25% of the company; however, this stake was purchased by ITV plc
for £31 million in 2004. In November 2009, ITV plc took full control of the broadcaster after purchasing The Walt Disney Company
's 25% share. GMTV broadcast from Studio 5 at The London Studios
on the South Bank
. GMTV was also broadcast on the same channel as ITV1 HD from 2 April 2010 where GMTV programming broadcast on the same channel as ITV1
was upscaled to High Definition. The station claimed to reach approximately 13 million viewers a week.
GMTV transmitted daily from 6.00 am until the regional ITV franchises took over at 9.25 am. In later years, the switchover was practically seamless and the station was 'surrounded' in the most part by ITV Network continuity on either side of transmission. Consequently, most viewers perceived GMTV simply as a programme on ITV; however, until the complete buyout by ITV plc, it was essentially an independent broadcaster with its own news-gathering operation, sales and management teams and in-house production team. It also did its own childrens' programmes, independent from CITV
until Boohbah
was cross-promoted on both sides with different versions of the credits.
GMTV's main rivals included BBC Breakfast
(more news-orientated), Sky News
' Sunrise, and Channel 4
's morning schedule (which included Friends
until Autumn 2011).
attempted to buy out Disney's stake in GMTV following it gaining 75% control, in order to secure 24-hour control of Channel 3 in England
and Wales
, eventually paying £18m for the remaining 25% on 26 November 2009.
As a result, many changes were made shortly after:
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
breakfast television
Breakfast television
Breakfast television or morning show , is a type of infotainment television program, broadcast live in the morning...
contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end. The final showing of GMTV was broadcast on 3 September 2010.
History
GMTV held the licence for the breakfast Channel 3ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
franchise since 1993, when it outbid the previous 6:00–9:25 am Channel 3 licence-holder, TV-am
TV-am
TV-am was a breakfast television station that broadcast to the United Kingdom from 1 February 1983 to 31 December 1992. It made history by being the first national operator of a commercial television franchise at breakfast-time , and broadcast every day of the week for most or all of the period...
, in the 1991 franchise rounds, which were announced on 16 October that year. The first show was broadcast on Friday, 1 January 1993 and was presented by Eamonn Holmes
Eamonn Holmes
Eamonn Holmes is an Northern Irish journalist and broadcaster. He is known for his work on UK and Irish television, notably presenting GMTV and This Morning. He is married to TV presenter Ruth Langsford.-Education:...
and Anne Davies. Its main weekday presenters at launch were Fiona Armstrong
Fiona Armstrong
Fiona Armstrong, Lady MacGregor of MacGregor is a freelance Scottish television journalist.-Early life and career:Armstrong was born in Preston, Lancashire. As a child she lived for ten years in Nigeria, where her father was in the colonial service. She became Lady MacGregor of MacGregor when she...
and Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson (presenter)
Michael Wilson is a British TV presenter.Wilson was Business Editor for Sky News and could be seen at the London Stock Exchange talking to various people about the big news in business as well as looking at stock markets across the World. He became a Freeman of the City of London in 2005 and was...
. By March 1993, following poor ratings, Wilson had moved to present the news-focused 6.00 - 7.00 a.m. slot, which in 1994 became the "Reuters News Hour". Armstrong continued to co-present with Eamonn Holmes until April 1993, when her departure coincided with a revamp of the main programme, which included a new set that mimicked that of TV-am. Armstrong was replaced by Lorraine Kelly
Lorraine Kelly
Lorraine Kelly is a Scottish television presenter, journalist and actress, best known as a presenter for TV-am, and later GMTV and ITV Breakfast, on Lorraine.-Early life:...
, who had been launch presenter of the post-9 a.m slot "Top of the Morning".
GMTV was first intended to be called Sunrise Television, but as Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
' breakfast programming also went by that name (and still does to this day), Sky protested, resulting in the change of name.
STV Group plc (then known as SMG plc), owner of two of the three Channel 3 regional licences for Scotland (Scottish Television
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
and Grampian Television
Grampian Television
Grampian Television is the ITV franchisee for the North and North East of Scotland. Its coverage area includes the Scottish Highlands , Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and parts of north Fife...
) previously owned 25% of the company; however, this stake was purchased by ITV plc
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom...
for £31 million in 2004. In November 2009, ITV plc took full control of the broadcaster after purchasing The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
's 25% share. GMTV broadcast from Studio 5 at The London Studios
The London Studios
The London Studios is a television studio complex which is owned by London Weekend Television and has been home to the London Weekend ITV provider since 1972...
on the South Bank
South Bank
South Bank is an area of London, England located immediately adjacent to the south side of the River Thames. It forms a long and narrow section of riverside development that is within the London Borough of Lambeth to the border with the London Borough of Southwark and was formerly simply known as...
. GMTV was also broadcast on the same channel as ITV1 HD from 2 April 2010 where GMTV programming broadcast on the same channel as ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
was upscaled to High Definition. The station claimed to reach approximately 13 million viewers a week.
GMTV transmitted daily from 6.00 am until the regional ITV franchises took over at 9.25 am. In later years, the switchover was practically seamless and the station was 'surrounded' in the most part by ITV Network continuity on either side of transmission. Consequently, most viewers perceived GMTV simply as a programme on ITV; however, until the complete buyout by ITV plc, it was essentially an independent broadcaster with its own news-gathering operation, sales and management teams and in-house production team. It also did its own childrens' programmes, independent from CITV
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
until Boohbah
Boohbah
Boohbah is a 2003 children's television series produced by Ragdoll Productions and aimed at children between three and five years old. It premiered in 2003 on GMTV and CITV in the United Kingdom, in the United States on PBS and PBS Kids Sprout. It was created by Anne Wood with scripts by Alan Dapre...
was cross-promoted on both sides with different versions of the credits.
GMTV's main rivals included BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast is the morning television news programme simulcast on BBC One and the BBC News channel. It is presented live from BBC Television Centre in White City, West London, and contains a mixture of news, sport, weather, business and feature items...
(more news-orientated), Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
' Sunrise, and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's morning schedule (which included Friends
Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
until Autumn 2011).
ITV plc ownership
ITV plcITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom...
attempted to buy out Disney's stake in GMTV following it gaining 75% control, in order to secure 24-hour control of Channel 3 in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, eventually paying £18m for the remaining 25% on 26 November 2009.
As a result, many changes were made shortly after:
- The editor of GMTV, Martin Frizell, was sacked in December 2009 with Sue Walton temporarily replacing him
- On 4 March 2010, it was announced that presenter and newsreader Penny SmithPenny SmithPenelope Jane Smith is an English television presenter and newsreader. She has worked on the breakfast TV show GMTV, for Sky News and for Classic FM.-Early life:...
was leaving GMTV with presenter John StapletonJohn StapletonJohn Martin Stapleton is an English journalist and presenter. He is currently working as a freelancer with various media outlets.-Television career:...
being redeployed as special correspondent Smith presented her final broadcast on 4 June 2010. - Also announced on 4 March 2010 was political correspondent Gloria De PieroGloria De PieroGloria De Piero is a British Labour Party politician, journalist and presenter best known for her work with GMTV. In 2010, she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Ashfield.-Early life:...
's decision to quit GMTV in February 2010 to stand as a Labour Party Parliamentary candidate - On 6 March 2010 GMTV Kids presenters Jamie RickersJamie RickersJames "Jamie" Rickers is a British television presenter, best known as the co-presenter and co-creator of GMTV's Toonattik alongside Anna Williamson. The programmes were produced by GMTV and broadcasted as live on ITV1, ITV4 and the CITV channel...
and Anna WilliamsonAnna WilliamsonAnna Williamson is a British television presenter.She is best known as the co-presenter of GMTV's Toonattik and Action Stations! alongside Jamie Rickers...
were made redundant they appeared for the last time on the show in May 2010, meaning no presenter links between programmes in the Toonattik strand - On 19 April 2010, it was announced BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
presenter Adrian ChilesAdrian ChilesAdrian Chiles is a British television and radio presenter, currently working for ITV Sport presenting football coverage....
was quitting his roles with the corporation, to join ITV plcITV plcITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom...
on a six year contract, co-presenting on GMTV and casting doubt over the futures of incumbent male hosts Andrew CastleAndrew CastleAndrew Nicholas Castle is an English retired tennis professional, former British No. 1, and now television presenter.-Biography:...
and Ben ShephardBen ShephardBenjamin Peter "Ben" Shephard, also known as "Sheps" is an English television presenter who currently works for Sky Sports, as well as ITV.-Personal life:... - On 21 April 2010, it was confirmed that Ben ShephardBen ShephardBenjamin Peter "Ben" Shephard, also known as "Sheps" is an English television presenter who currently works for Sky Sports, as well as ITV.-Personal life:...
was leaving GMTV after 10 years, after earlier telling management he would not be renewing his contract. - On 7 May 2010, it was announced that former The One ShowThe One ShowThe One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
editor Ian Rumsey would take editorial control of the show from June 2010, with Paul Connolly as his deputy, taking over Sue Walton's temporary placement, as she moved to tackling GMTV with Lorraines move to a new standalone show - On 10 June 2010, it was confirmed that Andrew CastleAndrew CastleAndrew Nicholas Castle is an English retired tennis professional, former British No. 1, and now television presenter.-Biography:...
would leave GMTV after 10 years - On 10 June 2010 ITV plc announced that they would be dropping the GMTV brand name from the breakfast franchise in favour of a relaunched format later in 2010
- On 20 June 2010, ITV plc announced that Christine BleakleyChristine BleakleyChristine Louise Bleakley is a television presenter from Northern Ireland. She joined Daybreak on ITV as co-presenter with Adrian Chiles in September 2010...
would join Adrian ChilesAdrian ChilesAdrian Chiles is a British television and radio presenter, currently working for ITV Sport presenting football coverage....
as lead female host, after signing an exclusive three year deal to present on the breakfast slot, and other prime-time entertainment shows. The pair had worked together on the BBC's The One ShowThe One ShowThe One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday... - On 9 July 2010 it was confirmed that the new ITV plc breakfast show name from 6 September 2010 would be named DaybreakDaybreak (ITV)Daybreak is the weekday breakfast television programme on the British commercial ITV network that broadcasts on weekday mornings from 06:00 to 08:30 and is currently presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from Monday to Thursday with Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway on Fridays...
and that GMTV with Lorraine is set to become a standalone show with the title LorraineLorraine (TV programme)Lorraine is the early weekday morning, lifestyle and entertainment show for the British ITV network, presented by Lorraine Kelly. ITV Breakfast produces Lorraine, which airs every weekday from 08:30 until 09:25, following Daybreak...
and GMTV Limited was being rebranded ITV Breakfast LimitedITV BreakfastITV Breakfast Limited is the national ITV breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom... - On 20 July 2010 it was confirmed that Kate GarrawayKate GarrawayKathryn Mary Garraway is an English journalist currently employed by ITV Breakfast.She has presented the UK version of The Biggest Loser.-Early life:...
would move from a presenting position on GMTV to the role of entertainment editor on DaybreakDaybreak (ITV)Daybreak is the weekday breakfast television programme on the British commercial ITV network that broadcasts on weekday mornings from 06:00 to 08:30 and is currently presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from Monday to Thursday with Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway on Fridays...
. Other members of the team moving over from GMTV were confirmed as John StapletonJohn StapletonJohn Martin Stapleton is an English journalist and presenter. He is currently working as a freelancer with various media outlets.-Television career:...
continuing in the role of special correspondent, Dan LobbDan LobbDaniel "Dan" Jonathon Lobb is a British retired tennis player, currently working as a presenter, and is the sports editor for ITV's Daybreak.-Tennis:...
as Sports editor, Dr. Hilary JonesHilary Jones (doctor)Hilary Jones is a general practitioner and also a television and radio presenter, and a writer on medical issues.-Medical career:...
becoming health editor and Richard Gaisford continuing in the role of Chief Correspondent - On 20 July 2010 Richard ArnoldRichard ArnoldRichard Arnold may refer to:*Richard Arnold * Richard Arnold , Major General in the American Civil War* Richard Arnold , former Star Trek Archivist for Paramount Studios...
and Carla RomanoCarla RomanoCarla Romano is a Scottish journalist and producer of Italian descent. Romano studied French and politics at the University of Dundee and has a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the University of Strathclyde.-BBC Radio work:She began her broadcasting career with Radio Scotland, as a...
, after 10 years with the company, announced that they would be leaving the show to pursue their careers elsewhere - On 1 August 2010 Emma CrosbyEmma CrosbyEmma Catherine Crosby , is a British television newsreader and journalist, currently presenting for 5 News.-Early life:...
confirmed that she would not be part of the new show - GMTV with Lorraine aired for the last time with Myleene KlassMyleene KlassMyleene Angela Quinn is an English singer, pianist, media personality and occasional model. She was formerly a member of the defunct British pop band Hear'Say.-Early life:...
presenting on 2 September 2010, whilst GMTV came to an end with Andrew CastleAndrew CastleAndrew Nicholas Castle is an English retired tennis professional, former British No. 1, and now television presenter.-Biography:...
and Emma CrosbyEmma CrosbyEmma Catherine Crosby , is a British television newsreader and journalist, currently presenting for 5 News.-Early life:...
presenting on 3 September 2010.
See also
- List of GMTV programmes
- List of GMTV presenters
- DaybreakDaybreak (ITV)Daybreak is the weekday breakfast television programme on the British commercial ITV network that broadcasts on weekday mornings from 06:00 to 08:30 and is currently presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from Monday to Thursday with Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway on Fridays...
- LorraineLorraine (TV programme)Lorraine is the early weekday morning, lifestyle and entertainment show for the British ITV network, presented by Lorraine Kelly. ITV Breakfast produces Lorraine, which airs every weekday from 08:30 until 09:25, following Daybreak...
External links
- GMTV (Archive)