
On This Day...
18th February
Channels
1985
BBC One launches a new look.
The channel's symbol for 20 years - a mechanical globe device - is replaced by a new electronically generated globe called COW (Computer-Originated World).
The updated symbol airs for the first time at 7pm. The duty announcer is
Mark Waddington.
RELATED ARTICLE: Pres fans await the new look BBC One.
RELATED ARTICLE: Mid-80s BBC One: the benefits of one big relaunch over piecemeal changes.
RELATED ARTICLE: Reflections on BBC One’s COW era on its 40th anniversary.
2007
BBC Two launches a new on-screen presentation package at 10am.
The slightly modified '2' shape would now act as a 'window on the world'.
The '2' appeared in cut-out form in the channel's new idents and trail graphics, through which we could see programme content (in trails) or some live-action scenario (in the idents).
Programmes
1957
The first edition of Tonight airs on BBC TV.
1957
The first edition of Behind the Headlines airs on BBC TV.
1957
The first edition of Lunch Box airs on ITV.
1967
The pilot episode of Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width airs on ITV.
An Armchair Theatre production.
1974
The first episode of US series The Waltons airs on BBC Two.
1977
The first episode of Another Bouquet airs on ITV.
1979
The first edition of The Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One.
1980
The final BBC-produced edition of The Goodies airs on BBC Two.
New editions of the programme aired on ITV (1981 - 1982).
1982
The first episode of County Hall airs on BBC Two.
1982
The first episode of US series Falcon Crest airs on ITV.
1985
The first episode of Dodger, Bonzo and the Rest airs on ITV.
1985
The first edition of the thrice-weekly Wogan airs on BBC One.
1985
BBC Weather introduces new computer-based presentation.
Bill Giles is the first presenter to use the new graphics, on BBC One (daytime).
1986
The final edition of The Adventure Game airs on BBC Two.
1992
The first episode of Rides airs on BBC One.
1992
The first episode of Men Behaving Badly airs on ITV.
The programme transferred to the BBC in 1994.
1995
The final edition of International Gladiators airs on ITV.
1996
The first edition of Wheeler on America airs on BBC Two.
1996
The final edition of Spitting Image airs on ITV.
1996
The One That Got Away airs on ITV.
1999
The first episode of Harbour Lights airs on BBC One.
1999
The Murder of Stephen Lawrence airs on ITV.
Written and directed by Paul Greengrass.
2013
The first episode of Sarah and Duck airs on CBeebies.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1975
BBC One tape La Vie Parisienne airs for the final time.

On This Day...
18th February
Births
1910
Former actress and TV presenter, Joan Miller.
1929
Former TV news reporter, Jon Lander.
1943
Comedian, author and TV/radio presenter, Graeme Garden.
1945
TV announcer and news presenter, Kathy Secker.
1946
TV news reporter/presenter and radio presenter,
Michael Buerk.
1953
TV announcer, David Bennett.
Research for On This Day in TV History is by Paul R. Jackson.
Details about test card/teletext in-vision music and BBC trade test films are available as a result of decades of research and logging by members of the Test Card Circle.