This is a timeline of the history of the British broadcaster Meridian Broadcasting (now known as ITV Meridian). It has provided the ITV service for the South and South East of England since 1993.
1990s
1991
16 October – The ITC announces that TVS has lost its licence to Meridian Broadcasting. Meridian had tabled a lower bid but the ITC awarded the licence because it felt that TVS’ bid of £59 million was too high.[1]
1992
No events.
1993
1 January – After the chimes of Big Ben, Meridian Broadcasting goes on air.
15 November – The public launch of digital terrestrial TV in the UK takes place.
1999
The television assets of Meridian's owner United News & Media are sold to Granada. However, due to regulations stating that the company could not control that large an audience share, the broadcasting arm of HTV is sold to Carlton Television in exchange for Central Independent Television's 20% stake in Meridian Broadcasting.[6][7]
4 December – The non-franchised region ITV Thames Valley is launched. It incorporates the former Central South news service and the Meridian North service and both operate as their own sub-regions for non-news programming and for advertising.
2007
No events.
2008
December – All non-news local programming ends after Ofcom gives ITV permission to drastically cut back its regional programming.[8] From 2009 the only regional programme is the monthly political discussion show
2009
16 February – As part of ITV's major cutbacks of its operation in England, Meridian's three news services are amalgamated into one. However part of the programme, and the late night bulletin, remain localised.[9]
16 September – The 2009 cut-backs are reversed and once again the Meridian region is served by three opt-out services.[10] However to maintain lower costs, the main half-hour programme at 6pm contains a minimum 20 minutes of regional news (10 minutes in the Thames Valley) and daily use of "shared content" from outside the region.[10]