TV Switch for Isle Of Man

ITV news for the Isle of Man is being switched from Border Television to Granada.

With the merger of the Border and Tyne Tees Television regions ITV Local have announced that the Isle of Man will be switched to the Granada Television region rather than also being covered by the new wider ITV North service.

 

Dr Carmel McLaughlin, director of the Island‘s Communications Commission, told the Isle of Man Courier: “Digital switchover will not begin in the North West of England until November 2009. To avoid confusion, switchover will proceed as planned in the summer and we will continue to receive the ITV Border regional service which will provide viewers with information about the switchover process.

‘For this, and other technical reasons, the Isle of Man transmitters are unlikely to switch to Granada until that region goes digital at the end of the year.”

The newspaper also reports that the Communications Commission received 120 responses to a survey about ITV news coverage. 77% of those polled agreed with the move to Granada Television, which is broadcast from Manchester.

Border Television, transmitting from Carlisle, had a reporter based on the island; however Paul Moulton has since switched to the BBC and the area hasn’t had a dedicated ITV correspondent since December last year.

The BBC service for the Isle of Man is also based at their North West centre in Manchester.