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On This Day...1st November
Channels
1982
S4C - the first Welsh language TV service - begins broadcasting. The channel was only available from Welsh transmitters and was the Welsh alternative to Channel 4, which launched the following day.
1984
The technicians strike at Thames Television continues. A management-run service is in operation.
1992
UK Gold begins broadcasting. The first programme aired is Just Good Friends.
At launch, the channel was a joint venture between the BBC, American company Cox Enterprises and outgoing ITV franchisee Thames Television.
In its early years, UK Gold broadcast various classic BBC and Thames shows. The channel has had a number of owners over the years - though the BBC has had a stake in the channel throughout its history.
BBC Studios is currently sole owner.
At launch, the channel was a joint venture between the BBC, American company Cox Enterprises and outgoing ITV franchisee Thames Television.
In its early years, UK Gold broadcast various classic BBC and Thames shows. The channel has had a number of owners over the years - though the BBC has had a stake in the channel throughout its history.
BBC Studios is currently sole owner.
1995
Sky Sports Gold begins broadcasting.
The channel aired British classic sports archive material.
The channel aired British classic sports archive material.
1996
Sky Scottish - a joint venture between British Sky Broadcasting and Scottish TV owners SMG plc - begins broadcasting.
The channel was intended to provide access to STV, Grampian TV and BBC Scotland local programming for viewers outside of Scotland.
Poor viewing figures and the failure to meet financial targets were cited as reasons for the channel's closure, after only 18 months.
The channel was intended to provide access to STV, Grampian TV and BBC Scotland local programming for viewers outside of Scotland.
Poor viewing figures and the failure to meet financial targets were cited as reasons for the channel's closure, after only 18 months.
1997
UK Arena begins broadcasting. The channel was part of the UKTV network of channels. UKTV was a joint venture between the BBC and Flextech.
UK Arena broadcast arts programming. Poor ratings resulted in a shift of focus to drama and a rebranding to UK Drama on 31st March 2000.
It would be rebranded again: first in March 2004 to UKTV Drama and again in October 2008, to Alibi, from which point the channel's focus was crime dramas.
UK Arena broadcast arts programming. Poor ratings resulted in a shift of focus to drama and a rebranding to UK Drama on 31st March 2000.
It would be rebranded again: first in March 2004 to UKTV Drama and again in October 2008, to Alibi, from which point the channel's focus was crime dramas.
1997
UK Horizons begins broadcasting. The channel was part of the UKTV network of channels. UKTV was a joint venture between the BBC and Flextech.
UK Horizons - which was said to have got its name from the long-running BBC series, Horizon - broadcast mainly BBC documentaries. It also broadcast extended versions of shows such as Top Gear and Tomorrow's World.
On 8th March 2004, UK Horizons was replaced by two new channels: UKTV Documentary and UKTV People.
UK Horizons - which was said to have got its name from the long-running BBC series, Horizon - broadcast mainly BBC documentaries. It also broadcast extended versions of shows such as Top Gear and Tomorrow's World.
On 8th March 2004, UK Horizons was replaced by two new channels: UKTV Documentary and UKTV People.
1997
UK Style begins broadcasting. The channel was part of the UKTV network of channels. UKTV was a joint venture between the BBC and Flextech.
UK Style broadcast lifestyle programming, from the BBC archive and other independent producers. The channel was rebranded UKTV Style in March 2004. It changed name again on 30th April 2009, to Home.
In 2019, the BBC's stake in the channel was bought by UKTV co-owner Discovery Inc - the channel was consequently rebranded HGTV on 21st January 2020.
UK Style broadcast lifestyle programming, from the BBC archive and other independent producers. The channel was rebranded UKTV Style in March 2004. It changed name again on 30th April 2009, to Home.
In 2019, the BBC's stake in the channel was bought by UKTV co-owner Discovery Inc - the channel was consequently rebranded HGTV on 21st January 2020.
1998
Film4 begins broadcasting. The channel - owned by Channel 4 Television Corporation - is devoted to broadcasting films.
2005
ITV 4 begins broadcasting. The channel's schedule comprises live and archive sports programme, classic ITV action series and dramas, police shows and action movies.
Programmes
1973
The first episode of Beryl's Lots airs on ITV.
1976
The Birth of Television airs on BBC One. Leslie Mitchell presents a feature-length documentary with special guests recalling the birth of BBC Television.
1977
Play for Today: Abigail's Party airs on BBC One.
1980
The first edition of Did You See...? airs on BBC Two.
1981
The first episode of A Fine Romance airs on ITV.
1982
The first edition of 100 Great Sporting Moments airs on BBC Two.
1982
The final edition of Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery airs on BBC Two.
1983
The first edition of Des O'Connor Tonight airs on ITV.
1985
The first episode of Your Mother Wouldn't Like It airs on ITV.
1986
That's Television Entertainment airs on BBC One. Celebrating 50 years of BBC TV.
1986
The final episode of Dempsey and Makepeace airs on ITV.
1988
The final edition of Floyd on Britain and Ireland airs on BBC Two.
1989
The first episode of Summer's Lease airs on BBC Two.
1989
One Day in the Life of Television airs on ITV. Produced by Yorkshire TV.
1993
The first edition of Today's the Day airs on BBC Two.
1996
The final episode of Beck airs on BBC One.
1996
The first episode of Staying Alive airs on ITV.
2000
Celebrity Auction airs on ITV.
2000
The final edition of Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment airs on Channel 5.
Comedy panel game show.
Comedy panel game show.
2021
The final edition of Blair and Brown: the New Labour Revolution airs on BBC Two.
2023
The final edition of Moulin Rouge: Yes We Can-Can airs on BBC Two.
On This Day...1st November
Births
1947
TV news/sport presenter, Nick Owen.
1958
TV news reporter/presenter, Mark Austin.
1962
Swimmer and TV presenter/sports commentator, Sharron Davies.
1976
Actress and TV presenter, Marcelle Duprey.
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.
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.
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