ABSTRACT
If 1956 brought the BBC into conflict with Government over the Suez crisis – it brought another existential challenge to the Corporation: the arrival of Independent Television (ITV). This was to be financed by advertising, make new kinds of programmes for new audiences and yet also be held to public service standards (not that any of these high-minded outcomes were inevitable). It was to become a tremendous spur to innovation as the two stations competed to make better programmes. Together the TV industry became a huge source of growth and became the most desirable place for the ambitious young to work. Yet how had the Corporation’s monopoly been shattered?
