• Arqiva and its predecessors clock up a half-century for ITV
• Small beginnings at Croydon; national networks; pioneering technology
• Digital networks for the future

IBC, Amsterdam (Stand 1.259): Arqiva is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of ITV with a new identity at IBC and a nostalgic look at its heritage in TV transmission.  Recently rebranded following its departure from the ntl Group, Arqiva can trace an unbroken track-record as the sole supplier of transmission to ITV since its inception on 22 September 1955.  From a humble start with a single transmitter at Croydon, the company now operates national terrestrial networks not only for ITV but also Channel 4, Five, Digital 3 & 4, SDN and Digital One, plus local and regional services for the majority of UK commercial radio stations.

From the mid-1950s to 1990, these transmission functions were undertaken with distinction by the engineering division of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).  Following the demise of the IBA, the engineering division was privatised as National Transcommunications Ltd (NTL) which rapidly expanded into satellite services, microwave networks and the development of digital transmission technology.  In 1996 NTL gave the first demonstration of fully-featured multichannel digital terrestrial TV.  Two years later, as part of the larger cable-based ntl Group, NTL Broadcast built for Digital 3 & 4 what is still regarded as the largest and most complex digital terrestrial TV network in the world.  More recent work has pushed the boundaries of multimedia datacasting and mobile TV, working with partners such as Microsoft and UK mobile operator O2.

Now, as Arqiva, the company not only builds national transmission networks but also provides truly end-to-end services for broadcasters and channel providers including studio facilities, playout, SNG and OB services, fibre connectivity, satellite uplinking and space segment.

Arqiva CEO Tom Bennie, several of his senior management team and many employees have spent their careers in all phases of the company's history: "We are justifiably proud of our heritage and our hard-earned, industry-wide reputation.  Our mission is still to provide the highest levels of service to our customers and to help them develop their businesses as new technologies emerge.  We are particularly proud to have served ITV for its entire 50 years and look forward to that partnership continuing into the all-digital future."

Potted history

• 1955 - first transmitter built for ITV at Croydon (as ITA)
• 1960s - completed national 405-line VHF network for ITV
• 1969 - began the conversion to colour with 625-line UHF network
• 1970s - began building Independent Local Radio transmitters (as IBA).
  Pioneered work on digital TV studio standards, teletext and satellite transmission.
• 1982 - Channel 4 network launched in record time
• 1991 - became a commercial company National Transcommunications Ltd (NTL) following the demise of the IBA and broadened into satellite services.
  Acquired by International Cabletel in 1996 (which later became ntl Group), and subsequently acquired in 2005 by consortium of investors led by Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group.
• 1990s - developed Digital Terrestrial TV technology, mounted early demonstrations and constructed Digital 3&4 and SDN networks. National commercial DAB network built for Digital One.  Expanded into radio communications support for the Emergency services.  Built analogue network for Channel 5 (Five)
• 2000s - Built regional and local digital radio transmitters, demonstrated ‘datacasting' and mobile TV.  Contributed to planning for digital TV switch-over.  Introduced shared mobile-phone site solutions in shopping malls and city centres.