Rediffusion. A company that was once everywhere. Shops in the high street, offering rental TV’s. Cable services in almost every large town or City (I remember those rotary wall switches well).
Its famous “adastral” spinning star symbol a major brand. The last I say of it was on the side of Initial vans, after BET acquired the assets of Rediffusion.
Also in the late 80’s I bought large quantities of ex-rental colour sets (Dorics?) especially after Granada bought their rental business. Very well built and modular sets, made in Rochdale if I recall. The Mk 1 (revamp) a colour hybrid chassis, the Mk 3 and Mk4.
Rediffusion ceased trading in the 1980s as new technologies like satellite TV emerged, leading to the sale of its assets and the breakup of the company. By the early 1990s, most of its operations had been sold off or absorbed by other companies
Rediffusion was a pioneering company in the broadcasting industry, known for distributing radio and television signals through wired relay networks. Founded in 1928, it became the first ITV franchisee to go on air in the UK in 1955. The company expanded into various sectors, including manufacturing radios and televisions, and even ventured into music with the establishment of a record label.
Decline and Cessation of Operations
Factors Leading to Decline
- Technological Changes: The emergence of satellite TV and other new technologies in the 1980s significantly impacted Rediffusion’s business model.
- Financial Struggles: The company faced financial difficulties, particularly after losing its ITV franchise in 1968, following the IBA imposed shotgun marriage between it and Associated British (ABC) to form Thames Television out of which ABC became the dominant partner.
Final Years
- Asset Sales: By the early 1990s, Rediffusion’s assets were sold off, and the company was effectively broken up. Most of its operations were absorbed by other companies, marking the end of its presence in the broadcasting industry.
Current Status
Today, the Rediffusion brand has been revived in some markets, such as China for consumer electronics and in the UK for LED televisions. However, the original company and its operations have largely faded from the broadcasting landscape.