In the 1982 ITV franchise reshuffle, the former ATV region in the midlands was split into a dual region required to serve the East and West midlands with their own dedicated local news services. Central News began broadcasting in the East Midlands from the temporary Giltbrook studios awaiting a move into the East Midland's Television Centre that was still under construction. Following the merger of Carlton and Granada, the closure of the television centres in Birmingham and Nottingham and the formation of ITV1 as a national brand, Central had now been reduced to nothing more than an on screen name. All Central's transmissions came from Leeds, with the exception of East and West midlands news, both presented from Central's Gas Street office in Birmingham. More cutbacks followed and ITV were allowed by the government regulator to merge the East and West midlands services. Here is the last minute of Central Tonight (East) from Friday 23rd Feb 09 and the start the newly merged programme from Monday 26th Feb 09.
