World in Action output. For the first 35 years of its existence, ITV had a near-monopoly of television advertising revenue. Roy Thomson, who ran Scottish Television famously described ITV as a "licence to print money". In return for this income, the broadcasting regulator insisted that the ITV companies broadcast a proportion of their programmes as public service TV. Out of this was born the network's reputation for serious current affairs, eagerly grabbed by programme makers under Granada's founder Lord Sidney Bernstein. Some of the most prominent figures in 20th-century British broadcasting helped to create "World in Action", in particular Tim Hewat, "the maverick
Panorama (TV programme) Panorama (TV programme) Panorama is a British investigative current affairs documentary programme that is aired on BBC Television. First broadcast in 1953, it is the world's longest-running current affairs television programme. "Panorama" has been presented by many well known BBC presenters, including Richard Dimbleby, Robin Day, David Dimbleby and Jeremy Vine. it still retains a peak time transmission slot on BBC One, but without a regular presenter. The programme also airs worldwide through BBC World News on digital services, satellite and cable in many countries. "Panorama" was launched on 11 November 1953 by the BBC; it emphasises investigative journalism. "Daily