Uploaded December 2013 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
3 is the magic number - although it wasn't for Tyne Tees Television with its disastrous relaunch as Channel 3 North East on September 2, 1996. Not even star signing, the legendary North East TV icon Mike Neville could carry Bruce Gyngell's vision of the ITV network rebranding itself as Channel 3. Here's the launch, at 5.59pm, leading into the first showing of the new ident and Mike's first North East Tonight news broadcast. The name Tyne Tees Television failed to disappear - even from the ident. It would take a takeover by Granada and Carlton to form a true ITV network for that to happen. As it is, the Channel 3 North East brand lasted just over a year.
3 is the magic number - although it wasn't for Tyne Tees Television with its disastrous relaunch as Channel 3 North East on September 2, 1996. Not even star signing, the legendary North East TV icon Mike Neville could carry Bruce Gyngell's vision of the ITV network rebranding itself as Channel 3. Here's the launch, at 5.59pm, leading into the first showing of the new ident and Mike's first North East Tonight news broadcast. The name Tyne Tees Television failed to disappear - even from the ident. It would take a takeover by Granada and Carlton to form a true ITV network for that to happen. As it is, the Channel 3 North East brand lasted just over a year.
