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There are 18 regional franchises and 3 national franchises in Network Six. All franchises are renewed each February, and each broadcasting contract lasts one year. Each regional franchise company is required to broadcast a regional variant of the Network Six television channel, alongside a variety of regional programmes, news and use a local brand. Some franchises also operate radio stations, digital TV channels, timeshifts and teletext on a regional basis. The two national franchises awarded are for National News & Breakfast, Six HD and Six Sports Network.

For a full list of franchises and their operators; see Network Six

emerald1 is the current holder of the Network Six Northern Ireland franchise licence. Until November 2009, it was owned by Vanquish Broadcasting, and it is currently owned by Londay Television. emerald1 is broadcast in standard definition on all platforms held by Network Six.

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• The 2010 franchise round is now underway.
• TotalAccess announces a graphics relaunch for AccessOne and AccessNews for 2010.
• Emerald2, the new regional channel for Northern Ireland region, launches by Londay Television.
• Emerald1 gets new look to co-include with previous take-over of Emerald Television by Londay Television.
• Londay Television becomes the owner of Emerald Television Ltd, following the competition with LevCorp Media, Viridian Media, LimeAir, Mayfield Broadcasting and Western Media.
• Mayfield Broadcasting launches the 12th Network Six digital channel, Mayfield Television on Sunday 1st November, after a series of delays
• Vanquish Broadcasting puts Emerald1 up for sale after majority shareholder Vanquish Media announces a streamlining of its operations to England only.
• Network Six wishes its members a Happy Easter.
• The March 2009 schedule is now in immediate effect.
• The 2009 franchise round is now underway. The round changes this year, seeing the introduction of staggered phases, creation of Six HD and SSN licences, and the separation of News & Breakfast.

The APFS Network was launched in 2003 as the first incarnation of Network Six, and ran until November 2005. Besides the 15 regional companies of APFS1, the Network also operated a variety of digital channels, including APFS2.

6-Net was launched in November 2005 as a replacement for the APFS Network after a challenging 2005 franchise round. Unlike its predecessor, 6-Net focused solely on the regional network and tightened up regulations on digital channels, regional news and franchise ownership. 6-Net also saw the introduction of two new franchises to the Network; the East Scotland franchise and the newly-separated Wales and West franchises.

The Network Six brand replaced 6-Net in April 2006 alongside a change of management. This newest incarnation combines the best of both former APFS and 6-Net networks, consisting of 22 franchises combined with a boquet of digital services. It publishes 3 main Network schedules per year, along with Easter and Christmas specials, and sees a stronger relationship between the Network administration and the franchise companies themselves.