Granada, owner of Tyne Tees Television and quite soon probably Border TV too, is going European.

The Manchester-based maker of Coronation Street is in talks with potential partners about alliances. Granada wants to establish local production companies and seek joint ventures with broadcasters on the continent.

Chief Executive Steve Morrison told a London media conference the group had already edged in to Germany and later revealed the group was talking to "possible partners" in France, Italy and Spain.

Granada already has production companies in Australia, where it first aired a version of its UK hit show Popstars, and China, where it produces a version of Coronation Street called John Luck Street.

Mr Morrison wants to establish similar programme-making arrangements in Europe. He added: "We believe Granada could act as a bridge between Europe and the English-speaking world markets."

Granada’s alliances in Europe could take similar form to its relationship with Ireland’s TV3 in which it holds a 45% stake.

TV3 has a 7-year contract to show some of Granada’s top shows, as well as ties to its advertising sales in London. TV3’s peak time audience has grown by 71% and its London advertising by 51%.

Granada bought up Tyne Tees TV almost four years ago and has an option to buy Border TV from its new owners Capital Radio in the next three years.