Regional programming

Regional programming, also known as local programming, is a style of broadcasting whereby a television operator produces programming specific to a certain region or community. In the UK, the style has been used by the BBC since the launch of its television assets in the 1930's, but later highly emphasised by competitor ITV Network from 1955 onwards. ITV's regional commitments were gradually reduced througout the 1990's and early 2000's, including the loss of its on-air identities and local broadcasting styles in 2002, after regulations on franchise ownership were relaxed.

The APFS Network launched in 2003, offering a competing regional network style to ITV. The network, like ITV, was split into 15 distinct franchise areas, with a different company operating an individual franchise. Through various rule and ownership changes, APFS evolved into 6-Net throughout 2005, and later arrived at Network Six in 2006. Unlike ITV, Network Six has a much higher regional commitment to each particular franchise area, including strict rules on on-air identities and an increased duration of regional programming.

Regional programming is usually either geographical or lifestyle orientated. Geographical programmes focus on physical features of a regional area, e.g. landscapes, agriculture and architechture. Lifestyle regional programmes focus on aspects of the people of the region, e.g. businesses, sport, leisure, recreation and talent.

As of the 2005 6-Net regulations, franchises must produce at least 7 hours of regional programming per week. Weekday franchises have a commitment of 5 hours, and weekend franchises, 2 hours. The ITV Network imposes 1.5 hours for English franchises, and higher commitments for Welsh, Scottish and Irish contracts.