NORTH WEST REGIONAL TV NORTH OF THE M62 CORRIDOR AND IN MERSEYSIDE NEEDS A RADICAL OVERHAUL

20th August 2023 (Updated 29th August 2023) Dear Readers Much of BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports has been dominated by the coverage of nurse Lucy Letby, who has been convicted of the murder of seven babies in her care at the Neonatal Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Nurse Lucy LetbyContinue reading “NORTH WEST REGIONAL TV NORTH OF THE M62 CORRIDOR AND IN MERSEYSIDE NEEDS A RADICAL OVERHAUL”

Regional TV Should be Publically-funded but Not from the Government

13th July 2023 Dear Readers Regional TV, when it is localised and relevant to a particular area provides a great function for local viewers: Viewers are informed of new job-opportunities in their area, they are warned about violent criminals on the loose in their community, they are warned of dangerous or unpleasant weather or motorway/Continue reading “Regional TV Should be Publically-funded but Not from the Government”

It’s Time for North Lancastrians and South Cumbrians to Take Control of their Regional TV

4th July 2023 Dear Readers It cannot be much fun for some-one who lives in Millom or in Ulverston to turn on their Regional TV in order to get news about their area and the wider North West of England to only be told about what is happening 100 miles or more to the south.Continue reading “It’s Time for North Lancastrians and South Cumbrians to Take Control of their Regional TV”

ANOTHER PROLONGED CUMBRIA NEWS DROUGHT- AND THE NORTH- WEST’S GYPSIES ARE SNUBBED FOR FOURTH YEAR RUNNING WITH NO COVERAGE OF APPLEBY FAIR.

11th June 2023 Dear Readers Recently, I travelled to a funeral near Birkenhead, following the death of an elderly in-law of my brother. Whilst I was there I caught the Sunday evening news from BBC1 North West Tonight and it was telling. The most northerly news- feature was that of a nine-year-old child hurt atContinue reading “ANOTHER PROLONGED CUMBRIA NEWS DROUGHT- AND THE NORTH- WEST’S GYPSIES ARE SNUBBED FOR FOURTH YEAR RUNNING WITH NO COVERAGE OF APPLEBY FAIR.”

Regional TV that is Geographic and Topically Appropriate for Cumberland, Westmorland and North Lancashire.

22nd May 2023 Dear Readers When a viewer- who lives in Millom, Kirkby Lonsdale or Morecambe switches on their Regional TV, whether it be ITV Granada Reports or BBC1 North West Tonight– they do not just get news mainly about Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region or Cheshire, but they also get news about Euro-vision,Continue reading “Regional TV that is Geographic and Topically Appropriate for Cumberland, Westmorland and North Lancashire.”

Another Week without Cumbrian coverage on BBC NW and ITV Granada Reports, but ITV Border covers Morecambe Bay flooding

25th March 2023 Dear Readers Both BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports struggled to get anywhere north of Preston this last week, although BBC1 North West Tonight did mention school-children in Milnthorpe preparing for King Charles III coronation, though the school-children at the Liverpool school still got the lions share of coverage. TheContinue reading “Another Week without Cumbrian coverage on BBC NW and ITV Granada Reports, but ITV Border covers Morecambe Bay flooding”

Snow In North Cumbria

10th March 2023 Dear Readers Here are some pictures that I have taken of the snow near Nenthead, in north-east Cumbria: Yes, Cumbria had snow, not just places along the M62 Corridor, which neither BBC1 North West Tonight or ITV1 Granada Reports seem inclined to report on! Enjoy the stunning scenery in the montage ofContinue reading “Snow In North Cumbria”

Another Cumbria News-drought from NW Regional TV. It Does Not Have To Be Like This.

9th March 2023 Dear Readers Viewers of Regional TV who live in northern North West England, that is those who live and work in communities north of Preston, and who can only get BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports, are again suffering from a lack of geographic-appropriate news-coverage, especially of anything important thatContinue reading “Another Cumbria News-drought from NW Regional TV. It Does Not Have To Be Like This.”

ITV Border Lookaround is a viable alternative for North Lancastrians wanting News Northwards.

16th February 2023 Dear Readers The sad disappearance of Nicola Bulley, who lived in St Michael’s-on-Wyre continues to make headlines on both BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports: Rarely has both of the two mainstream Regional TV News- services for North West England provided at least 20% of their air-time to coverage NorthContinue reading “ITV Border Lookaround is a viable alternative for North Lancastrians wanting News Northwards.”

One Big Liverpool-fest on BBC1 North West Tonight, ditto ITV1 Granada Reports.

31st January 2023 Dear Readers A few weeks ago this Website featured an article congratulating BBC1 North West Tonight for showing signs of covering all of North West England, including into northern Cumbria. This article made the point that this would be great if this signified a long- term improvement in news-coverage for locations northwardsContinue reading “One Big Liverpool-fest on BBC1 North West Tonight, ditto ITV1 Granada Reports.”

Two News- features about Cumbria on BBC North West Tonight. As Always, better than ITV Granada Reports.

13th January 2023 (Updated 15th January 2023) Dear Readers This evening, there was another suggestion that BBC1 North West News-programmers might be upping their game in terms of the proportion of coverage they provide North of Preston. This evening’s North West Tonight, presented by the friendly, outgoing Annabel Tiffin, provided two in-depth news-features about Cumbria:Continue reading “Two News- features about Cumbria on BBC North West Tonight. As Always, better than ITV Granada Reports.”

A New Year- and is ITV Granada Reports starting to cover Cumbria again?

11th January 2023 Dear Readers The New Year, 2023 starts with some signs of promise from our Regional TV broadcast media in North West England, with signs that both BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports are actually covering all of North West England better. However, one always has to be a bit waryContinue reading “A New Year- and is ITV Granada Reports starting to cover Cumbria again?”

This Evening, BBC1 North West Tonight covered North West England- Properly.

19th December 2022 Dear Readers This Website campaigns for better and more geographic- appropriate coverage for viewers of Regional TV who live in more northerly parts of North West England, that is in Cumbria and northern Lancashire: It is often the case that both BBC1 North West Tonight and, especially ITV1 Granada Reports struggle toContinue reading “This Evening, BBC1 North West Tonight covered North West England- Properly.”

A Regional TV News-service for Cumbria and Lancashire. If North Lancastrians Really Want It they Can Get It.

23rd November 2022 Dear Readers North Lancastrians- who are disheartened with the miniscule amount of local and Regional TV News- coverage from BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports that gets North of Preston should be encouraged by an earlier example of whole communities getting together- to force the hand of the mighty BBC-Continue reading “A Regional TV News-service for Cumbria and Lancashire. If North Lancastrians Really Want It they Can Get It.”

Nine news-features about Cumbria on ITV Border Lookaround- including three about the Cumbrian Pennines

8th November 2022 Dear Readers Cumbrian viewers were given a real treat tonight from ITV1 Border’s Lookaround– nine proper news-items covering different parts of the county. And that does not include coverage of Carlisle United in the Sports coverage. I am certainly happy since the village of Nenthead, near where I live in the NorthContinue reading “Nine news-features about Cumbria on ITV Border Lookaround- including three about the Cumbrian Pennines”

Regional Television Across Cumbria: Room for Improvement

31st October 2022 Dear Readers Most folk living and working in Cumbria will assuredly be familiar with ITV1 Border’s Regional TV News- service and it’s flagship early- evening news-bulletin Lookaround., currently presented by Amy Lea and Ian Payne (who, incidentally, are also the anchors for ITV1 News Tyne Tees which is the ITV Regional NewsContinue reading “Regional Television Across Cumbria: Room for Improvement”

Is There Scope to Cut BBC Local Radio to fund more localised Regional TV in northern North West England?

15th October 2022 Dear Readers In northern North West England local folk can tune in to BBC Local Radio stations. These have been provided by the BBC for over fifty years and they weere set up to provide local news- coverage that viewers could not easy get off Regional Television. In the North West ofContinue reading “Is There Scope to Cut BBC Local Radio to fund more localised Regional TV in northern North West England?”

Getting a good North West Regional TV News-service North of Preston is possible with real Campaigning effort.

25th September 2022 Dear Readers Today, I consider the fact that both the BBC in the North West and ITV Granada Reports do not provide great all-round Regional TV News-coverage for locations north of Preston. Neither cover the Isle of Man well either. There does not exist a TV Region that, for a viewer inContinue reading “Getting a good North West Regional TV News-service North of Preston is possible with real Campaigning effort.”

The Campaign for a Regional TV News-service for Lancashire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man

18th September 2022 Dear Readers The main aims of this Website are to ensure that all viewers of Regional TV who live in Cumbria, Lancashire and the Isle of Man have much more localised and geographic-appropriate Regional TV News-coverage. For viewers in Lancashire and Cumbria that is for a North West England-flavoured Regional TV News-serviceContinue reading “The Campaign for a Regional TV News-service for Lancashire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man”

North West Coverage of Her Majesty’s Death and the local impact.

16th September 2022 Dear Readers This last week has been one of great loss to this nation- and locally. Queen Elizabeth II has been a source of immense pride and stability. The Queen’s selfless service and Christian faith has helped to keep Britain together and provided a sense of security through some enormous social changes.Continue reading “North West Coverage of Her Majesty’s Death and the local impact.”

Across Large Areas of Northern England and Scotland, BBC and ITV Regional TV is unsatisfactory.

8th September 2022 Dear Readers The lack of geographic-appropriate Regional TV, as watch by viewers, affects over six million people living across large swathes of Scotland and northern England, as well as the Isle of Man: It is not just much of northern North West England and the Isle of Man that Regional TV News-Continue reading “Across Large Areas of Northern England and Scotland, BBC and ITV Regional TV is unsatisfactory.”

Eight News Features about Cumbria on ITV Border Lookaround, these not including sports coverage of Carlisle United and Aspatria Bowling Club.

30th August 2022 Dear Readers This evening, viewers of ITV1 Border’s Lookaround were treated to no less than EIGHT proper non-sport news-items about Cumbria, the only other non-sport news-item was about a driver from Newcastleton- just over the Scottish Border about 20 miles north of Carlisle (so not a million miles from other parts ofContinue reading “Eight News Features about Cumbria on ITV Border Lookaround, these not including sports coverage of Carlisle United and Aspatria Bowling Club.”

Four News-Items about Kendal on ITV Border Lookaround. North Lancastrians would get more Local news than from ITV Granada Reports

26th August 2022 Dear Readers As this Website exists to help viewers of Regional TV in northern North West England get more local (and more geographic-appropriate) news-coverage, and to help them in pressurising the mainstream Regional TV News-services serving them provide more geographic-appropriate North West Regional TV, it is appropriate to point out that whilstContinue reading “Four News-Items about Kendal on ITV Border Lookaround. North Lancastrians would get more Local news than from ITV Granada Reports”

ITV Granada Reports seldom Gets North of the M62 Corridor

20th August 2022 Dear Readers A glance through ITV Granada Reports‘ Website (listed here: https://www.itv.com/news/granada), which lists all the news- stories they feature in their programming, and one would be struck by how Greater Manchester/ Merseyside- dominated the news-coverage is, that is, excepting their little Isle of Man section (which if one checks the datesContinue reading “ITV Granada Reports seldom Gets North of the M62 Corridor”

ITV Border Lookaround has SIX News Items about Cumbria plus Burton-in-Lonsdale report.

22nd June 2022 Dear Readers If viewers in northern North West England, particularly those who live in the extreme North of Lancashire and in South Cumbria have any doubts about the geographical- appropriateness (or otherwise) of the flagship Regional News programme from ITV Border, namely Lookaround, then tonight ought to dispel such concerns! Not onlyContinue reading “ITV Border Lookaround has SIX News Items about Cumbria plus Burton-in-Lonsdale report.”

If you live on the Cumbria- Lancashire border ITV Border Lookaround provides local news.

20th June 2022 Dear Readers This evening, the flagship ITV1 Regional News programme enjoyed by viewers in most of Cumbria and southern Scotland, namely ITV Border Lookaround covered the tragic deaths of two people who died when the helecopter they were flying crashed in a field near the village of Burton in Lonsdale. This wasContinue reading “If you live on the Cumbria- Lancashire border ITV Border Lookaround provides local news.”

Appleby Horse Fair is back- and much happening there. Not a mention for South Cumbrians stuck with BBC North West and ITV Granada Reports

12th June 2022 Dear Readers As has been fairly typical of what happens with both BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports, a Cumbrian news- drought emanates from both the mainstream Regional TV News- broadcasters for North West England- and it lasts for a week or more! In the previous post (here: https://northwestisnorthwest.org/2022/06/03/pictures-of-north-cumbrian-platinum-jubilee-celebrations/) IContinue reading “Appleby Horse Fair is back- and much happening there. Not a mention for South Cumbrians stuck with BBC North West and ITV Granada Reports”

Pictures of North Cumbrian Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

3rd June 2022 Dear Readers True to form, neither BBC1 North West Tonight, nor ITV1 Granada Reports have featured any Cumbrian celebrations of Her Majesty’s 70th anniversary of her succession to the throne. This is despite the fact that 200,000 Cumbrians live in the north of BBC1 North West’s transmission area and at least 100,000Continue reading “Pictures of North Cumbrian Platinum Jubilee Celebrations”

North Lancastrians would value Cumbrian News too on BBC1 North West Tonight.

29th April 2022 Dear Readers It cannot be said that viewers in Lancashire are not reasonably well-served by news-coverage about Lancashire on BBC1 North West Tonight. This evening, 29th April 2022, BBC1 North West Tonight provided not just one, not just two but four news-features concerning northern Lancashire. There was coverage of the proposed EdenContinue reading “North Lancastrians would value Cumbrian News too on BBC1 North West Tonight.”

West Cumbria is very much in North West England and this area should Never get North East England Regional TV News.

24th April 2022 Dear Readers Viewers of Regional Television in places like Keswick, Maryport, Workington and St. Bees Head get their BBC1 Regional news from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and they can watch BBC1 Look North (NE/ Cumbria), at least eighty percent of which is about Tyneside, Teesside, Wearside, County Durham, or North Yorkshire. All of these areasContinue reading “West Cumbria is very much in North West England and this area should Never get North East England Regional TV News.”

Both BBC North West Tonight and ITV Granada Reports are Metropolitan- flavoured in their outlook

14th March 2022 Dear Readers This evening, I wish to touch on something that many viewers of Regional Television who live in North West England , particularly those who live in rural Lancashire or South Cumbria, must observe. It is fairly clear from watching BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports that the programingContinue reading “Both BBC North West Tonight and ITV Granada Reports are Metropolitan- flavoured in their outlook”

One of the men who died in the Cumbria M6 crash was from Rochdale

3rd March 2022 Dear Readers The home town and identity of one of the people who died in the crash on the northbound M6, just south of Penrith have come to light. He was a 51 year-old from Rochdale- in Greater Manchester! Even though, traditionally, Rochdalians consider their town to be Lancastrian, as Rochdale wasContinue reading “One of the men who died in the Cumbria M6 crash was from Rochdale”

One fatal Road Traffic Accident on northbound M6 in Cumbria. Not a peep from BBC1 North West or ITV1 Granada Reports

1st March 2022 Dear Readers Yesterday morning, at about 11.15 am there was a fatal collision on the northbound M6 between Junction 39 (Shap turn-off) and Junction 40 (Penrith and North Lakes turn-off): Two people were killed when the car they were travelling in collided with a van, and a third occupant of the carContinue reading “One fatal Road Traffic Accident on northbound M6 in Cumbria. Not a peep from BBC1 North West or ITV1 Granada Reports”

Some Cumbrian and North Lancashire coverage on BBC1 North West Tonight, but this needs to happen every night.

14th February 2022 Dear Readers Roger Johnson was back presenting BBC1 North West Tonight, this evening of Monday 14th February 2022- and he brought with him some news- coverage of Cumbria after what must seem to viewers to be a significant absence! This evening, there was a piece on William Wordsworth, featuring Grasmere and alsoContinue reading “Some Cumbrian and North Lancashire coverage on BBC1 North West Tonight, but this needs to happen every night.”

There are parts of Northern England that receive BBC1 North West Tonight that might be better getting BBC Look North (North East)- and Vice Versa.

10th February 2022 Dear Readers This Website discusses the relevance- or otherwise- of Regional Television as received in northern parts of North West England and on the Isle of Man. This Website campaigns for an improvement on local news- coverage for areas that are often overlooked and which receive Local and Regional Television news thatContinue reading “There are parts of Northern England that receive BBC1 North West Tonight that might be better getting BBC Look North (North East)- and Vice Versa.”

The BBC and ITV in North West England will not improve Regional TV North of Preston without Public Pressure

4th February 2022 Dear Readers This evening, Friday 4th February viewers in northern Lancashire and South Cumbria had precious little “local” news from BBC1 North West Tonight. There was a news- report about the Isle of Man soon being open for business, a rare crumb of joy for Manx viewers who get little news aboutContinue reading “The BBC and ITV in North West England will not improve Regional TV North of Preston without Public Pressure”

Cumbrian Coverage: ITV1 Border’s Lookaround Six out of Ten News Items, BBC North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada – None.

21st January 2022 Dear Readers Sometimes, the ability to watch and compare different Regional Television News- services- and to compare coverage of specific areas of northern North West England helps to clarify things. Indeed, if viewers can do this if they have Internet- and can get adjacent Regional Television News services to the ones whichContinue reading “Cumbrian Coverage: ITV1 Border’s Lookaround Six out of Ten News Items, BBC North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada – None.”

A Loss of Funding for the BBC means Big Regions providing No Local News in Northern North West England

20th January 2022 Dear Readers Upon watching both BBC1 North West Tonight, presented by Annabel Tiffin and ITV1 Granada Reports this evening, 20th January 2022, one was dismayed by the absence of coverage that got anywhere north of the Trough of Bowland (on ITV1 Granada Reports there was nothing north of Clitheroe),- viewers living inContinue reading “A Loss of Funding for the BBC means Big Regions providing No Local News in Northern North West England”

Eight News-Items about Cumbria on ITV1 Border’s Lookaround on Friday 7th January 2022

9th January 2022 Dear Readers On the evening of Friday 7th January there were eight news-items about Cumbria- including two concerning South Cumbria- on ITV1 Border’s flagship evening news-bulletin Lookaround. There were just three news-items covering southern Scotland. This does not include Sports coverage which also had an extensive piece about Carlisle United. Cumbria getsContinue reading “Eight News-Items about Cumbria on ITV1 Border’s Lookaround on Friday 7th January 2022”

Happy New Year and Good News for North Cumbrian Viewers of Regional Television

3rd January 2022 Dear Readers Firstly, I would like to wish all my regular readers, and others who read the articles on this Website a very happy, prosperous 2022: I hope that this is the year that we achieve a breakthrough for viewers in northern Lancashire, South Cumbria, and the Isle of Man in termsContinue reading “Happy New Year and Good News for North Cumbrian Viewers of Regional Television”

BBC NORTH WEST TONIGHT HAS BETTER SERVED COMMUNITIES IN NORTH LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA IN RECENT DAYS. BUT THE PROGRAMME NEEDS TO LOOK AFTER ITS MORE NORTHERN VIEWERS WELL PERMANENTLY.

7th December 2021 Dear Readers Happily, BBC1 North West Tonight has been covering Cumbria rather better of late. South Cumbrian viewers of the programme have been treated to extensive coverage of power- cuts across South Cumbria last week. Unfortunately, a number of viewers who were suffering from these power cuts could not watch BBC1 NorthContinue reading “BBC NORTH WEST TONIGHT HAS BETTER SERVED COMMUNITIES IN NORTH LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA IN RECENT DAYS. BUT THE PROGRAMME NEEDS TO LOOK AFTER ITS MORE NORTHERN VIEWERS WELL PERMANENTLY.”

Both BBC North West Tonight and ITV Granada continue to short- change Viewers North of Preston. Time for Change.

23rd November 2021 Dear Readers It’s been another few days with a marked absence of news-coverage of those parts of North West England north of Preston- both on BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports. The only exception was a report about bird flu near Millom, south-west Cumbria on BBC North West Tonight- yesterday.Continue reading “Both BBC North West Tonight and ITV Granada continue to short- change Viewers North of Preston. Time for Change.”

BBC North West Tonight goes High Definition and covers Whitehaven

1st November 2021 Dear Readers BBC1 North West Tonight covered Whitehaven this evening- with regards to the proposed new coal-mine there that now looks set to be in doubt after the Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled it out: It is good that areas of Cumbria north of the transmission area are being covered for theContinue reading “BBC North West Tonight goes High Definition and covers Whitehaven”

Last night BBC North West Tonight covered Cumbrian floods for a second night

30th October 2021 Dear Readers Last night, and for the second night in a row- BBC1 North West Tonight covered Cumbria extensively with regards to the aftermath of flooding. It was again headline news and- not only that- BBC1 North West Tonight again covered parts of the northern Lake District: The flooding of homes inContinue reading “Last night BBC North West Tonight covered Cumbrian floods for a second night”

At last, both BBC North West and ITV1 Granada Reports cover Cumbria- but neither mention the M6 being shut by a lorry fire in South Cumbria.

28th October 2021 Dear Readers After a week with little coverage of Cumbria on BBC1 North West Tonight or virtually nothing on Cumbria in ITV1 Granada Reports viewers in northern North West England were given a treat on the main North West Regional TV News bulletins: It took some of the heaviest rains for sixContinue reading “At last, both BBC North West and ITV1 Granada Reports cover Cumbria- but neither mention the M6 being shut by a lorry fire in South Cumbria.”

Five News-Items about Cumbria on ITV Border’s Lookaround, Just M62 Corridor on BBC North West and ITV Granada

27th October 2021 Dear Readers Tonight was perhaps the starkest illustration in a long time how no-one living north of Preston can rely on either the two mainstream North West Regional TV News- bulletins for good all- round local news- coverage that is geographic appropriate. For the first time in quite a while, even LancashireContinue reading “Five News-Items about Cumbria on ITV Border’s Lookaround, Just M62 Corridor on BBC North West and ITV Granada”

Places like Millom, Ireleth and Duddon Bridge Should Not be in the ITV Granada Region

24th October 2021 Dear Readers Over the last week the mainstream Regional TV News- services for North West England have reverted to type: There has been precious little coverage of Cumbria on BBC North West Tonight and virtually none on ITV Granada Reports: On both Regional News programmes Greater Manchester and Merseyside have featured veryContinue reading “Places like Millom, Ireleth and Duddon Bridge Should Not be in the ITV Granada Region”

A Cold Bright Autumn Day in the North Cumbrian Pennines.

21st October 2021 Dear Readers Here are some views of a part of Cumbria, which almost certainly never features on either BBC1 North West Tonight or on ITV1 Granada Reports. To be fair, North Cumbrian viewers seldom see this part of Cumbria featured on ITV1 News Border Lookaround or BBC Look North (NE/ Cumbria) either!Continue reading “A Cold Bright Autumn Day in the North Cumbrian Pennines.”

BBC North West Tonight covers the Northern North West of England rather more than ITV Granada Reports

16th October 2021 If you live in Lancashire you should always pick BBC1 North West Tonight over ITV1 Granada Reports if you want geographically- appropriate coverage. On Thursday evening, BBC1 North West Tonight had two news-features about Cumbria- one about raw sewage getting into Lake Windermere and the second about Moorside, next to Sellafield inContinue reading “BBC North West Tonight covers the Northern North West of England rather more than ITV Granada Reports”

Neither BBC North West Tonight nor ITV1 Granada Reports cover Northern Lancashire well

1st October 2021 Three fairly serious developments have gone unreported across northern Lancashire this week, both on BBC1 North West Tonight and ITV1 Granada Reports. Firstly, there was an attempted murder in Blackpool whereby a young man aged just 19 years-old was attacked and stabbed outside a nightclub by nine men who came from London.Continue reading “Neither BBC North West Tonight nor ITV1 Granada Reports cover Northern Lancashire well”