A companion to volume 3 Politics and Control, 1968-80, this book covers aspects of the same period and completes the history of Independent Television from its origin and foundation to the end of 1980. The division between volumes 3 and 4 reflects the system whereby a regulatory body, which was by statute the publisher and the editor of all programmes, employed contractors to undertake the primary function of programme-making. This arrangement built stresses into the structure, and plenty of instances of tension between the supervisors and supervised are recorded. Other drawbacks were an Authority more reactive than proactive; the need for much industry and inter-company decision-making by committee; and a short-term approach to planning resulting from limited-period contracts and the uncertainty of renewal.

The first two volumes of this history, written by Bernard Sendall, described the events behind the birth and early years of independent television up until 1968. This volume focuses on the central issues facing the Independent Broadcasting Authority and independent television companies during the years of enquiry and uncertainty between the beginning of a new contract period in July 1968 and the passage of the Broadcasting Act and the announcement of successful applicants for new contracts in December 1980