It was launched in 1964 and is presented by Nicola Beckford, Joanne Malin, Mary Rhodes, Nick Owen, Elizabeth Glinka, Rebecca Wood and Shefali Oza.

Freeview viewers in northern Staffordshire around Kidsgrove and Biddulph cannot receive signal from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter; instead, they receive better signal from the Winter Hill transmitter that broadcasts North West Tonight from Salford.

Main weather presenter Former presenters have included Tom Coyne (presented the first episode from Pebble Mill studios in 1971), Kay Alexander (the programme's longest serving presenter), Alan Towers (see below), Alastair Yates, David Davies, Richard Uridge, Sue Beardsmore (left to become the public space coordinator at The Mailbox), Nina Nannar (moved to ITN in 2001), Stuart Linnell, Matt Smith, Julian Worricker, Ashley Blake (who was sacked in August 2009 after a criminal court case), Suzanne Virdee (who abruptly left in 2012 after an undisclosed row with management), Steve Clamp (moved to Central ITV in 2005) and Jackie Kabler who is now a regular presenter on QVC UK.

Olympic Gold medalist Denise Lewis also guest presented sport briefly during 2005, as did Rob Curling in 2002.

Senior presenter Alan Towers' on-air departure in July 1997 (after 25 years) brought about one of the most controversial moments in the programme's history when he shared indignant views on BBC management, describing them as "pygmies in grey suits wearing blindfolds".