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At a height of 309.5 metres, the Winter Hill transmitting mast is one of the tallest structures in the United Kingdom, the tallest being the mast at Belmont with a height of 351.5 metres however, at 778.1 metres (2,553 ft) above sea level, Winter Hill has the highest television transmitting antenna in the United Kingdom.

The original mast came into service on 3 May 1956, and carried the programmes of Granada ITV (weekdays) and ABC TV (weekends). This was replaced by the current tower in 1966. Unlike most masts, which are of a lattice design, the Winter Hill mast is one of six masts in England which are of a tubular construction. An advantage of the tubular design is that engineers can ascend the inside the mast and avoid adverse weather, which is a problem on frame structures.