Yorkshire Television (YTV) was a prominent regional broadcaster in the UK, launching on 29 July 1968 as the ITV franchise holder for Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Born from a merger between Telefusion Yorkshire and Yorkshire Independent Television, it quickly became known for its purpose-built colour studios in Leeds—the first of their kind in Europe. YTV produced a rich slate of programming that defined British television across decades, including dramas like The Main Chance and Heartbeat, sitcoms like Rising Damp, and long-running staples like Countdown. Its iconic chevron logo and fanfare based on the folk tune “On Ilkla Moor Baht’at” became cultural touchstones. Though it later merged with Tyne Tees and was absorbed into ITV plc, Yorkshire Television remains fondly remembered for its regional pride and creative legacy.
