2. c. 55) was a British law which permitted the creation of the first commercial television network in the United Kingdom, ITV.

The solution to the problem was to create the Independent Television Authority which would closely regulate the new commercial channel in the interests of good taste, and award franchises to commercial companies for fixed terms.

The first advertisement aired by ITV promoted Gibbs SR toothpaste at 8:12pm on 22 September 1955.

Household cleaners were the most frequently advertised products over the 1955–1960 period.

[citation needed] The act was extended to the Isle of Man by the Television Act 1954 (Isle of Man) Order 1957 (SI 1957/602) and to the Channel Islands by the Television Act 1954 (Channel Islands) Order 1961 (SI 1961/2039).