For the children... From local transmitters

As a kid I remember watching children's shows from both BBC and ITV and being from the south there was much to look at especially from TVS, but as well as it might be it may have looked professional but it still seemed a bit distant to me. In the BBC's Hey Look That's Me there was no no fancy budget, hell, there was a studio just small enough to squeeze a camera in. But it was this homeliness which appealed to me, even so much as writing to the programme and getting some badges in return for do so.

Though what I have seen and read, each region has tried to champion its own output, in Scotland The Untied Shoelaces Show entertained Scottish children through the school holidays and the South West, TSW served up Freeze Frame as a Saturday morning alternative to their children. But having this showed that their commitment to local programming was strong and it didn't have to always to appeal to the widest possible group. By having programmes like this for children, the regions felt that this was a link to their youngest viewers, hook them early and they'll stay loyal to your company.

Anglia was an example of a franchise, which would plug away to the network and supplying children's programmes with regularity, the same as Southern/TVS to supplement the bigger companies offerings. But they also had to remember that their viewers were important, so they both created programmes which appealed to their viewers embracing the local flavour. Even through birthday spots for most smaller companies that Gus Honeybun, BC, Oscar Puffin and even Ivor Honeypot became recognisable unofficial mascots for the stations they appeared on. Though Gus Honeybun came to optimise both Westward and TSW as well, becoming as big as the announcers who helped him.

Those days have long gone now with Channel gamely battle on with Oscar Puffin in new decade, not even a friendly puffin can suffice in the world of television now. Though I find it interesting that CBBC when for characters similar to this back up their presenters in the relaunch of the channel, so perhaps they are still there, maybe in spirit but you'll always need a dog or cactus to draw the viewers in.

Needle and Fred...

One person who has been ever present on the television is Fred Dinenage...

For Fred, he has been broadcasting to the south since 1964 now and is the main lead anchor for Meridian on their nightly news programme. But most people think of him of stand-in World of Sport anchor when Dickie had a dicky tummy or either that the light relief on 'How?' I don't think of him like that, he has been a part of the south's life since 1984 when he took over the anchor's seat and joining him Fern Britton from the Breakfast Time sofa.

ITV like their familiar faces as do the BBC, which such giants as Bob 'Sky Price is Right' Warman and Nick 'Midweek Sports Special' Owen as opposite anchors in the Midlands. But these faces are almost like a comfy dressing gown to wear after a hard day, we go to them to tell us what's going on and what's happening in the regions.

Suited and booted...

For instance in the Yorks and Lincs area is Peter Levy, an ex-radio DJ who moved into local television rising to become the main anchor broadcasting from Hull each night. But its his banter with Look North Yorkshire's weatherman Paul Hudson which makes it riveting viewing as the social medium of Twitter is being used to see what each other is doing and such they make almost salacious comments towards each other each night. Their twitter feeds are @peter_levy and @Hudsonweather

A warm front each evening....

They have been working together for such a long time, so it makes it OK but its almost edge of the seat stuff to see how far they can push it each night. So thanks to the world of satellite we are able to see these faces at work and thanks to the regions we are able to see a window on the world...