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Welcome to Channel 4

First, some background information...

Even before BBC2 came on the air in 1964 there has been a debate concerning who should own a fourth television channel. ITV wanted it because (as they pointed out) the BBC with the advent of BBC2 had two channels whereas ITV had only the one, though by 1979 ITV's viewing figures were exceeding the combined BBC1 and 2 figure so this argument started to sound weak (However many tv sets had their fourth button marked 'ITV2' since it seemed logical). The issue was progressing slowly, though by 1979 it seems that progress towards a fourth channel was at last starting to make some headway.

The 1979 General Election was predicted to be the crucial factor as to what the fourth channel would be like. If the Labour Goverment was returned to power again, the fourth channel would be run by an organisation known as the OBA (Open Broadcasting Authority). This was a popular choice (as opinion polls showed) since it would be completely different from the established channels' programming, being community-based and non-profit making. However it was predicted that it would only have (roughly) a 2% audience share, and there were unanswered questions about funding such an enterprise.

That did not happen (of course); the Conservative Party came to power, lead by Margaret Thatcher - they were predicted to give the new channel to ITV in order to give them their ITV2. Another alternative discussed at the time was to create an entirely separate new commercial channel (the approach favoured by the advertising agencies - they hoped that the aggressive competition between two openly competing commercial channels that would be the result would drive down advertising rates); but what was to become Channel 4 was suprisingly different from the three proposals mentioned but had common elements with all three approaches.

Although controlled by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, or IBA (later on, the Independent Television Commission, or ITC) which is the same organisation that regulates the ITV companies, Channel 4 is effectively a broadcaster that is relatively independent from ITV (though there was a degree of financial cross-subsidy). Its remit is essentially similar to BBC2, ie. producing specialist programmes for a smaller audience as well as producing popular programmes, though to begin with Channel 4 was unique in that the majority of programmes are commissioned from small independent production companies.

Channel 4, like BBC2, got off to a shaky start but for different reasons. A disagreement concerning actor's pay for commercials shown on the fledgling network resulted in an industrial dispute that prevented actors from appearing 'on camera' in commercials. This resulted in either a small number of commercials being shown, or no commercials at all (depending on the region), at least until the dispute was resolved. Another difference between Channel 4 and the other channels was that all programmes were shown across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the commercials were regionalised. Wales has a separate service called S4C.

Launched in November 1982, Channel 4 only transmitted programmes for a few hours each day to begin with, so Channel 4's test card was a familiar sight for viewers tuning in during the morning and daytime. Unlike BBC2 a new television set was not mandatory though some viewers may have needed to buy a new aerial for best picture quality. Also unlike previous channel launches most of the transmitters were already set up so most of the population could receive the channel (apart from some remote areas).

The new channel tried out some brave programming ideas in its early years. The Friday Alternative was a hard-hitting politically controversial current affairs show with some key differences; no presenters were visible, and it made heavy use of computer animation between video footage. An hour-long peak time news bulletin produced by ITN is a successful key feature of the evening schedule.

By the mid 1980's programmes such as The Word and The Last Resort gained notoriety and media coverage, making Mark Lamarr and the sharp-suited Jonathan Ross stars (among other people). Saturday Night Live was instrumental in changing the whole face of British comedy, launching a whole selection of 'alternative' comedians such as Ben Elton (who presented the show), Harry Enfield and Jo Brand. Channel 4 has also commissioned films such as My Beautiful Launderette, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Channel 4 is in direct competition with BBC2; on the BBC2 page there was a still from the special Christmas 1990 ident used. Here's what Channel 4 used over the same Christmas period - the 'psychedelic four' with flashing colours.

As well as being controversial, Channel 4 produces the same sort of programmes that channels all over the world have in common; namely quizzes, soap operas, and current affairs. Countdown, the first programme shown on Channel 4, is still running to this day, and is an intellectual quiz presented by Richard Whiteley. Brookside is Channel 4's main soap opera and has also been running continously since 1982. The caption shown here is taken from a quiz series called QD: The Master Game (shown in 1991) and there is a section in HTW documenting this programme.

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	Although controlled by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, or IBA (later on, the Independent Television Commission, or ITC) which is the same organisation that regulates the ITV companies, Channel 4 is effectively a broadcaster that is relatively independent from ITV (though there was a degree of financial cross-subsidy). Its remit is essentially similar to BBC2, ie. producing specialist programmes for a smaller audience as well as producing popular programmes, though to begin with Channel 4 was unique in that the majority of programmes are commissioned from small independent production companies.
	Channel 4, like BBC2, got off to a shaky start but for different reasons. A disagreement concerning actor's pay for commercials shown on the fledgling network resulted in an industrial dispute that prevented actors from appearing 'on camera' in commercials. This resulted in either a small number of commercials being shown, or no commercials at all (depending on the region), at least until the dispute was resolved. Another difference between Channel 4 and the other channels was that all programmes were shown across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the commercials were regionalised. Wales has a separate service called S4C.
	Launched in November 1982, Channel 4 only transmitted programmes for a few hours each day to begin with, so Channel 4's test card was a familiar sight for viewers tuning in during the morning and daytime. Unlike BBC2 a new television set was not mandatory though some viewers may have needed to buy a new aerial for best picture quality. Also unlike previous channel launches most of the transmitters were already set up so most of the population could receive the channel (apart from some remote areas).
	The new channel tried out some brave programming ideas in its early years. The Friday Alternative was a hard-hitting politically controversial current affairs show with some key differences; no presenters were visible, and it made heavy use of computer animation between video footage. An hour-long peak time news bulletin produced by ITN is a successful key feature of the evening schedule.
	By the mid 1980's programmes such as The Word and The Last Resort gained notoriety and media coverage, making Mark Lamarr and the sharp-suited Jonathan Ross stars (among other people). Saturday Night Live was instrumental in changing the whole face of British comedy, launching a whole selection of 'alternative' comedians such as Ben Elton (who presented the show), Harry Enfield and Jo Brand. Channel 4 has also commissioned films such as My Beautiful Launderette, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
	Channel 4 is in direct competition with BBC2; on the BBC2 page there was a still from the special Christmas 1990 ident used. Here's what Channel 4 used over the same Christmas period - the 'psychedelic four' with flashing colours.
	As well as being controversial, Channel 4 produces the same sort of programmes that channels all over the world have in common; namely quizzes, soap operas, and current affairs. Countdown, the first programme shown on Channel 4, is still running to this day, and is an intellectual quiz presented by Richard Whiteley. Brookside is Channel 4's main soap opera and has also been running continously since 1982. The caption shown here is taken from a quiz series called QD: The Master Game (shown in 1991) and there is a section in HTW documenting this programme.