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S
Granadaland
1956-1990Stephen Kelly & Judith Jones
An Oral History
2016 is 60th
anniversary of
Granada
Working with
Manchester Centre for
Regional History at
MMU.
Grant from Granada
Foundation
Interviewing wide
range of staff and jobs
Building on our oral
history of Coronation
Street
Janice Finch
Researcher and
Producer, local
programmes and World
In Action, 1984-1999
‘How Granada got its
name’
‘Granada Television
is the finest TV
company in the
world,
New York Times.
Started by Sidney
Bernstein, transmitting in
1956 to whole of the north
Between 1956 & 1990
considered one of most
innovative TV companies in
world
After 1990 Broadcasting
Act, television fragments
No longer exists – just part
of ITV
Sandy Ross
Granada 1976-86
Started at GTV as a
Researcher, later
Producer
Later Programme
Controller and Managing
Director, Scottish
Television
‘The best television
company in the world!’
What has been
done so far
Recorded older
memories first
Looking at wide range
of roles
Conducted 12 detailed
interviews so far
Still many more to do
Keen to source other
memorabilia like
photos and scripts
Frank Clarke
Accounts Clerk
Joined Granada April 1956
and worked there until
1988
‘The start of Granada TV’
Major areas to emerge
The changing technology, nature and culture of television
Significance of ‘Northern-ness’ to Granada, and Granada’s importance to the region
‘Paternalistic’ nature of the company
Pride in unique programmes and talent
Management style encouraged innovation and was supported by generous budgets
Bonding/Canteen and Old School/Stables bars
Employment practices
The Concept of Granadaland
Regional identity and strong output.
Northern presenters: Bob Greaves, Tony Wilson, Brian
Trueman, Michael Parkinson, Roger Blythe, Anna Ford.
Quirky northern documentaries
Prominence of Quay Street building
Importance to the local economy
Brian Trueman
Granada Presenter, 1957
until 1983
‘Granadaland passports!’
Regional OutputStrong lineup of local programmes
Granada Reports (formerly Scene At Six Thirty) – daily half hour news/magazine programme
Reports Politics – weekly local politics half hour
Reports Extra – weekly local, quirky half hour
This Is Your Right – local consumer/rights programme
Kick Off – local Sunday football highlights
Religious service every Sunday
The
Company
Granada was a paternalistic
company - ‘Felt like a family’
Employees were well
rewarded - hours were long
‘Club’ atmosphere.
Production teams bonded
Left-wing & not ashamed of it
Employees proud of the
company and its
programmes
Many still talk of it as being
‘the best job and best
company in the world’
June Buchan
Secretary, London and
Manchester, 1975-1990
later Production Assistant
‘A family firm’
Respect for
Management
Sidney Bernstein,
Chairman of Granada
Group
Cecil Bernstein
Denis Forman,
Chairman of GTV
David Plowright,
Managing Director
Mike Scott,
Programme Controller
Roland
Coburn
Film Editor, Granada, 1972-
2009
‘Sir Denis Forman’
Why Was Granada So Unique
?
Range of programmes:-
Dramas - Brideshead Revisited, Jewel In The Crown, Cracker, Coronation Street
Innovative current affairs - World In Action, Union World, Granada Election 500, What the Papers Say
Documentaries - Birmingham Six, Disappearing World, Seven Up
Music - Beatles, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Blues at Chorlton Station
Brian Trueman
Granada Presenter, 1957
until 1983
‘The Beatles and the
Rolling Stones’
Unearthing
talent
• Michael Parkinson
• Brian Trueman
• Paul Greengrass
• Lord John Birt
• Anna Ford
• Dame Margaret Beckett
• Jack Straw
• Michael Apted
• Sir Jeremy Isaacs
• Sarah Lancashire
• Richard Madeley
• Tony Wilson
Bonding
The Canteen (known as the
Cannie)
The Stables – a theatre, then
bar – later The Old School
Roland
Coburn
Film Editor, Granada, 1972-
2009
‘The Granada Canteen’
Trade Unions
Unions strong throughout commercial television sector
Everyone had to be a member – closed shop in most
areas
Strict demarcation rules and working practices
Employment
Practices Well rewarded – salaries,
expenses
Excellent training for technical staff but not production staff
Good promotion opportunities
Ethnic minorities hugely unrepresented
Gender – women in certain roles
Wallen
Matthie
Joined Granada 1981 as
a Researcher, left 1997
‘Numbers of ethnic
minorities’
Ann Lewis
Secretary, 1970-78
Now a journalist and
filmmaker
‘Sexism in the workplace’
Where Next?
Apply for further funding
Put together a team of
volunteers
Collect memorabilia
Collect photographs
Set up a dedicated website
Tony Wilson – a great
Mancunian
S
Granadaland
1956-1990Stephen Kelly & Judith Jones