GMTV: Difference between revisions

{{refimprove|date=October 2010}}

{{Infobox ITV franchisee

| name = GMTV (Good Morning Television)

| image = [[File:GMTV.svg|200px]]

| based = [[The London Studios]],<br>[[London]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]

| area = [[National (distribution)|National]]<br>(Breakfast 6:00am - 9:25am)

| presenter = [[Andrew Castle]]<br>[[Emma Crosby]]<br>[[Kate Garraway]]<br>[[Ben Shephard]]

| owner = [[ITV plc]]

| location = [[The London Studios]]

| Airdate = 1 January 1993

| Closeddate = 3 September 2010

| replaced = [[TV-am]]

| replacedby = [[Daybreak (ITV)|''Daybreak'']]

}}

'''GMTV''' (now legally known as '''[[ITV Breakfast]] Limited''') was the national [[ITV|Channel 3]] [[breakfast television]] contractor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/c3/GMTV/|title=GMTV - National Breakfast-time|accessdate=1 June 2007|publisher=Ofcom}}</ref> 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.<ref name="buyout">[http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=7645134&action=article ITV buys remaining 25 pct stake in GMTV] Reuters report on Interactive Investor, 26 November 2009</ref> 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 [[ITV|Channel 3]] 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.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} The first show was broadcast on Friday, 1 January 1993 and was presented by [[Eamonn Holmes]] and [[Anne Davies (British journalist)|Anne Davies]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} Its main weekday presenters at launch were [[Fiona Armstrong]] and [[Michael Wilson (presenter)|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.<ref><http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/gmtv-tries-new-recipe-for-breakfast-success-1456270.html</ref> 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'',<ref>[http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/ident/album/gmtv.php GMTV | Album | Ident<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/ident/nevermind/gmtv.php GMTV | Nevermind | Ident<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

[[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.<ref name="http://www.itvplc.com/media/newsrelease/?page=17&id=1368">[http://www.itvplc.com/media/newsrelease/?page=17&id=1368 ITV announces agreement with SMG] ITV plc, 10 May 2004</ref> In November 2009, ITV plc took full control of the broadcaster after purchasing [[The Walt Disney Company]]'s 25% share.<ref name=ITVbuys>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/nov/26/itv-buys-remaining-gmtv-stake ITV takes full control of breakfast TV broadcaster GMTV] ''The Guardian'', 26 November 2009</ref> GMTV broadcast from Studio 5 at [[The London Studios]] on the [[South Bank]], except for the final few months where GMTV came from Studio 3 at TLS (where Lorraine and Loose Woman come from). This move was because [[Al Jazeera Sports]], which originally came from Studio 7 had to move to studio 5, so that 7 could be fitted out for [[Daybreak (ITV)]] This is also how the final shot was achieved, the amount of people persent when the camera turned round would have never ''ever'' fitted into 5. 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. {{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

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 children's 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]]' ''[[Sky News Sunrise|Sunrise]]'', and [[Channel 4]]'s morning schedule (which included ''[[Friends]]'' until Autumn 2011).

==ITV plc ownership==

[[ITV plc]] 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.<ref name="buyout" />

As a result, many changes were made shortly after:

*The editor of GMTV, Martin Frizell, was sacked in December 2009<ref>[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/television-news/2009/12/11/gmtv-editor-martin-frizell-to-leave-breakfast-tv-broadcaster-86908-21890238/ GMTV editor Martin Frizell to leave breakfast TV broadcaster] Daily Record, 11 December 2009</ref> with Sue Walton temporarily replacing him<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/11/editor-martin-frizell-leaving-gmtv Editor Martin Frizell leaving GMTV] The Guardian, 11 December 2009</ref>

*On 4 March 2010, it was announced that presenter and newsreader [[Penny Smith]] was leaving GMTV with presenter [[John Stapleton]] being redeployed as special correspondent<ref name="Penny and John">[http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/03/04/gmtv-stars-penny-smith-and-john-stapleton-leave-the-sofa-in-cut-backs-115875-22084553/ GMTV stars Penny Smith and John Stapleton leave the sofa in cut backs] Daily Mirror, 4 March 2010</ref><ref name="Penny and John 2">[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1255230/Penny-Smith-shoved-GMTV-sofa-save-money-17-years.html Old pro Penny Smith keeps mum on the GMTV sofa after being axed... but tweets: 'Let the partying commence'] Mail Online, 4 March 2010</ref> Smith presented her final broadcast on 4 June 2010.

*Also announced on 4 March 2010 was political correspondent [[Gloria De Piero]]'s decision to quit GMTV in February 2010 to stand as a Labour Party Parliamentary candidate<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1259543/Tony-Blairs-favourite-broadcaster-Gloria-De-Piero-selected-safe-Labour-seat.html Tony Blair's 'favourite broadcaster' Gloria De Piero selected for safe Labour seat] Mail Online, 21 March 2010</ref>

*On 6 March 2010 GMTV Kids presenters [[Jamie Rickers]] and [[Anna Williamson]] were made redundant<ref name="Anna and Jamie">[http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/03/06/children-s-tv-presenters-lose-their-jobs-as-gmtv-bosses-continue-to-wield-the-axe-115875-22089208/ Children's TV presenters lose their jobs as GMTV bosses continue to wield the axe] Mirror, 6 March 2010</ref> they appeared for the last time on the show in May 2010, meaning no presenter links between programmes in the ''[[List of GMTV programmes#Toonattik|Toonattik]]'' strand

*On 19 April 2010, it was announced [[BBC]] presenter [[Adrian Chiles]] was quitting his roles with the corporation, to join [[ITV plc]] on a six year contract,<ref>[http://cms.gm.tv/presenters/47938-adrian-chiles-joins-gmtv.html Adrian Chiles joins GMTV] GMTV, 19 April 2010</ref> co-presenting on GMTV and casting doubt over the futures of incumbent male hosts [[Andrew Castle]] and [[Ben Shephard]]

*On 21 April 2010, it was confirmed that [[Ben Shephard]] was leaving GMTV after 10 years, after earlier telling management he would not be renewing his contract.<ref name="Ben's Departure">[http://cms.gm.tv/presenters/48167-ben-shephard-to-leave-gmtv.html Ben Shephard to leave GMTV] GMTV, 22 April 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/06/30/gmtv-presenter-ben-shephard-to-quit-the-show-115875-22371129/ GMTV presenter Ben Shephard to quit the show] Mirror, 30 June 2010</ref>

*On 7 May 2010, it was announced that former ''[[The One Show]]'' 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 Lorraine]]'''s move to a new standalone show<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/may/07/ian-rumsey-gmtv-editor Ian Rumsey made GMTV editor] The Guardian, 7 May 2010</ref>

*On 10 June 2010, it was confirmed that [[Andrew Castle]] would leave GMTV after 10 years<ref name="Andrew's Departure">[http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/andrewcastleleavesgmtv/default.html After a decade on the sofa, Andrew Castle bows out of GMTV] ITV Press Centre, 10 June 2010</ref>

*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<ref name="gmbroad">{{cite web|last=Kanter|first=Jake|title=£1.5m shake-up sees GMTV name dropped|publisher=Broadcast|accessdate=10 June 2010|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/15m-shake-up-sees-gmtv-name-dropped/5014864.article|date=10 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=£1.5m shake-up for GMTV|publisher=The Independent|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/pound15m-shakeup-for-gmtv-1997747.html|date=11 June 2010}}</ref>

*On 20 June 2010, ITV plc announced that [[Christine Bleakley]] would join [[Adrian Chiles]] 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 Show]]''<ref>{{cite news| url=http://cms.gm.tv/presenters/50504-christine-bleakley-joins-gmtv.html | work=GMTV | title=Christine Bleakley joins GMTV | date=20 June 2010 | accessdate=20 June 2010}}</ref>

*On 9 July 2010 it was confirmed that the new ITV plc breakfast show name from 6 September 2010 would be named ''[[Daybreak (ITV)|Daybreak]]'' and that ''[[List of GMTV programmes#GMTV with Lorraine|GMTV with Lorraine]]'' is set to become a standalone show with the title ''[[Lorraine (TV programme)|Lorraine]]'' and ''GMTV Limited'' was being rebranded [[ITV Breakfast|ITV Breakfast Limited]]<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/uk-ireland/itv-unveils-new-breakfast-show-14871786.html ITV unveils new breakfast show] Belfast Telegraph, 9 July 2010</ref>

*On 20 July 2010 it was confirmed that [[Kate Garraway]] would move from a presenting position on ''[[List of GMTV programmes#GMTV|GMTV]]'' to the role of entertainment editor on ''[[Daybreak (ITV)|Daybreak]]''. Other members of the team moving over from ''GMTV'' were confirmed as [[John Stapleton]] continuing in the role of special correspondent, [[Dan Lobb]] as Sports editor, [[Hilary Jones (doctor)|Dr. Hilary Jones]] becoming health editor and Richard Gaisford continuing in the role of Chief Correspondent<ref name="Daybreak Press 1">[http://cms.gm.tv/presenters/51622-daybreaking-news.html Daybreaking News!] GMTV, 20 July 2010</ref>

*On 20 July 2010 [[Richard Arnold]] and [[Carla Romano]], after 10 years with the company, announced that they would be leaving the show to pursue their careers elsewhere<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a247116/richard-arnold-carla-romano-depart-gmtv.html Richard Arnold, Carla Romano depart GMTV] Digital Spy, 20 July 2010</ref>

*On 1 August 2010 [[Emma Crosby]] confirmed that she would not be part of the new show<ref name="Emma's Departure">[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1299252/Secrets-sofa-As-leaves-GMTV-Emma-Crosby-takes-scenes.html Secrets of my sofa: As she leaves GMTV, Emma Crosby takes you behind the scenes] Mail Online, 1 August 2010</ref>

*''[[List of GMTV programmes#GMTV with Lorraine|GMTV with Lorraine]]'' aired for the last time with [[Myleene Klass]] presenting on 2 September 2010, whilst ''[[List of GMTV programmes#GMTV|GMTV]]'' came to an end with [[Andrew Castle]] and [[Emma Crosby]] presenting on 3 September 2010.

==See also==

*[[List of GMTV programmes]]

*[[List of GMTV presenters]]

*''[[Daybreak (ITV)|Daybreak]]''

*''[[Lorraine (TV programme)|Lorraine]]''

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

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*[http://cms.gm.tv/ GMTV] (Archive)

*{{itv.com|id=gmtv|title=''GMTV''}}

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*{{Twitter|GMTV|''GMTV''}}

*{{itv.com|id=citv|title=CITV}}

*[http://www.itvplc.com ITV plc]

{{col-end}}

{{GMTV}}

{{ITV Breakfast}}

{{ITV}}

{{UK Breakfast TV}}

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