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On This Day...21st April
Channels
2008
BBC News 24 is rebranded as the BBC News channel.
Programmes
1953
The final episode of Robin Hood airs on BBC TV.
Starring Patrick Troughton.
Starring Patrick Troughton.
1954
The first edition of Running Wild airs on ITV.
Comedy sketch series. Featuring Morecambe and Wise.
Comedy sketch series. Featuring Morecambe and Wise.
1964
The first edition of Play School airs on BBC Two.
Due to a power failure the previous evening (which should've been BBC Two launch night), Play School became the first scheduled programme to be broadcast on BBC Two.
A number of unscheduled news bulletins were broadcast on the channel on 20th April 1964.
Due to a power failure the previous evening (which should've been BBC Two launch night), Play School became the first scheduled programme to be broadcast on BBC Two.
A number of unscheduled news bulletins were broadcast on the channel on 20th April 1964.
1964
The first edition of Line-Up airs on BBC Two.
The launch night edition of the programme (on 20th April 1964) was cancelled due to a power failure.
The launch night edition of the programme (on 20th April 1964) was cancelled due to a power failure.
1970
The final episode of Hark at Barker airs on ITV.
Comedy sketch show. Starring Ronnie Barker (as Lord Rustles), Josephine Tewson, Frank Gatliff, Mary Baxter and David Jason.
Comedy sketch show. Starring Ronnie Barker (as Lord Rustles), Josephine Tewson, Frank Gatliff, Mary Baxter and David Jason.
1974
The first episode of Doctor at Sea airs on ITV.
1975
The first episode of Sadie, It's Cold Outside airs on ITV.
Sitcom. Created by Jack Rosenthal. Starring Bernard Hepton and Rosemary Leach.
Pilot was shown in 1974.
Sitcom. Created by Jack Rosenthal. Starring Bernard Hepton and Rosemary Leach.
Pilot was shown in 1974.
1977
The first episode of Royal Heritage airs on BBC One.
The story of Britain's royal builders and collectors in nine films. Told by Huw Wheldon.
The story of Britain's royal builders and collectors in nine films. Told by Huw Wheldon.
1981
The final episode of When the Boat Comes In airs on BBC One.
1983
The final episode of Playhouse airs on ITV.
1985
The final episode of Orm and Cheep airs on ITV.
1985
The first episode of Travellers by Night airs on ITV.
Starring Lisa Coleman and Jake Coppard.
Starring Lisa Coleman and Jake Coppard.
1986
It is announced that the Blue Peter kitten, Jack, has died.
1990
The first edition of The 8.15 from Manchester airs on BBC One.
Saturday morning children's programme. Presented by Ross King and Charlotte Hindle.
Saturday morning children's programme. Presented by Ross King and Charlotte Hindle.
1993
The first edition of TV Heroes airs on BBC One.
Danny Baker delves into the archives to find some of television's most unlikely heroes and heroines of the past.
Danny Baker delves into the archives to find some of television's most unlikely heroes and heroines of the past.
1994
The first episode of Cardiac Arrest airs on BBC One.
Drama series. First of six episodes. About working in the NHS.
Drama series. First of six episodes. About working in the NHS.
1995
The first episode of Father Ted airs on Channel 4.
1995
The final edition of Why Don't You...? airs on BBC One.
2000
The first edition of Tonight at the London Palladium airs on ITV.
Presented by Bruce Forsyth.
Presented by Bruce Forsyth.
2002
The first episode of Born and Bred airs on BBC One.
Drama series. Set in rural Lancashire in the 1950s. Starring James Bolam and Michael French.
Drama series. Set in rural Lancashire in the 1950s. Starring James Bolam and Michael French.
2008
BBC TV relaunches its domestic and international news programmes.
The Lambie-Nairn agency is responsible for the new look.
The Lambie-Nairn agency is responsible for the new look.
2009
The final edition of Alan Whicker's Journey of a Lifetime airs on BBC Two.
A four-part series in which veteran broadcaster Alan Whicker sets off on a world trip during which he reflects on his life and career, beginning in Venice, where he retraces his steps from soldier to journalist and thence to the world of television.
A four-part series in which veteran broadcaster Alan Whicker sets off on a world trip during which he reflects on his life and career, beginning in Venice, where he retraces his steps from soldier to journalist and thence to the world of television.
2022
The first episode of Chivalry airs on Channel 4.
Comedy drama. Starring Sarah Solemani and Steve Coogan.
Comedy drama. Starring Sarah Solemani and Steve Coogan.
2024
The first episode of Red Eye airs on ITV 1.
Thriller. Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp.
Thriller. Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1964
BBC Two tape La Gran Via - Mazurka airs for the first time.
1964
BBC Two tape Come with Me airs for the first time.
1964
BBC Two tape Firth of Fourths airs for the first time.
1964
BBC Two tape White Sails airs for the first time.
1964
BBC Two tape Bikini airs for the first time.
On This Day...21st April
Births
1939
Former TV announcer, Graeme Thomson.
1973
TV presenter, Steve Backshall.
Deaths
1961
Former BBC Radio announcer and TV news presenter, Wallace (Bill) Greenslade.
The newspapers referred to his well-known trademark, from his news presenting years, of taking off his glasses at the end of each bulletin.
The newspapers referred to his well-known trademark, from his news presenting years, of taking off his glasses at the end of each bulletin.
2005
Former actor and TV presenter, Jimmy Thompson.
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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