Breakfast franchise

A breakfast franchise is a national franchise on a television network which typically exists at "breakfast time" within the television day. The breakfast franchise was first introduced in 1982-3, held by TV-am.

Breakfast franchises are predominately national, including national advertising. However regional activities such as regional news bulletins are occasionally included, however do not play a significant role in the franchise.

The current Network Six breakfast service is known as SixAM, operated by Aquidia Holdings. The current ITV breakfast franchise holder is GMTV.

Breakfast franchises in Network Six
In period of 2004-2006 (APFS Network and 6-Net) breakfast and news franchises were separated, although they were providing an united news service in some ways.

In 2006, Network Six breakfast and news franchises were merged into one, owned by Taff Media, albeit they were broadcasting under seperate identities of Taff Media News and MetroTV (later Six:AM).

In 2009 franchise round, there was a decision to split news and breakfast franchises. However, 'for simplicity', the franchise was not split.