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On This Day...1st December
Channels
2003
The Carlton-owned ITV companies in the Midlands and south west England introduced idents unique to each region.
These idents were used only in junctions into local programming and saw physical versions of the ITV 1 blue/yellow blocks scattered across a local scenic landscape.
The idents were discontinued in November 2004.
These idents were used only in junctions into local programming and saw physical versions of the ITV 1 blue/yellow blocks scattered across a local scenic landscape.
The idents were discontinued in November 2004.
2012
S4C's original HD service - Clirlun - closes down, due to funding cuts. Its Freeview slot was taken by Channel 4 HD.
An HD version of S4C returned in 2016, on DSAT only.
An HD version of S4C returned in 2016, on DSAT only.
Miscellaneous
1981
BBC Microcomputer formally launched.
Programmes
1981
The final edition of Barbara's World of Horses and Ponies airs on BBC One.
1986
The first edition of Antenna airs on BBC Two.
1988
The final episode of Button Moon airs on ITV.
1989
The final episode of A Bit of a Do airs on ITV.
1990
Ceefax subtitles are available on the late-evening weekend news programmes for the first time.
1996
The first episode of Moll Flanders airs on ITV.
1997
The final episode of Gold airs on ITV.
2006
The final edition of Airline airs on ITV.
2009
The first edition of Delia's Classic Christmas airs on BBC Two.
Teletext
1988
ORACLE launches the first soap opera to originate on a broadcast teletext service: Park Avenue.
It ran for 1,445 episodes. The final episode was broadcast on 31st December 1992 - ORACLE's final day on air.
Many of the episodes have been reproduced on a dedicated website.
The site hasn't been updated since August 2021, when it reported 568 episodes were still missing.
It ran for 1,445 episodes. The final episode was broadcast on 31st December 1992 - ORACLE's final day on air.
Many of the episodes have been reproduced on a dedicated website.
The site hasn't been updated since August 2021, when it reported 568 episodes were still missing.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1989
BBC One tape Sound of the South airs for the final time.
This tape started out on BBC Two on 29th January 1986 but lasted just under a month there.
It aired on BBC One for the first time on 5th February 1986.
EXTERNAL LINK: a BBC One interlude with Sound of the South playing (8th February 1987).
This tape started out on BBC Two on 29th January 1986 but lasted just under a month there.
It aired on BBC One for the first time on 5th February 1986.
EXTERNAL LINK: a BBC One interlude with Sound of the South playing (8th February 1987).
On This Day...1st December
Births
1948
Radio/TV presenter, Gordon Astley.
1954
Voiceover artist and former radio announcer/news presenter, Alan Dedicoat.
1976
TV announcer/weather presenter, Kerrie Gosney.
Deaths
1978
Former magician and TV presenter, David Nixon.
2024
Former TV/radio weather presenter, Craig Rich.
Events
1976
Bill Grundy interviews the Sex Pistols on Thames TV's Today.
Towards the end of the short studio interview, Grundy goads them by saying "Say something outrageous". To which Steve Jones replies: "You dirty b**tard!"
Grundy: "Go on, again."
Jones: "You dirty f**ker!" (Laughter from the group).
Grundy: "What a clever boy!"
Jones: "What a f**king rotter."
Grundy wraps up the programme: "Well, that's it for tonight. The other rocker Eamonn, and I'm saying nothing else about him, will be back tomorrow.
"I'll be seeing you soon. I hope I'm not seeing you [the band] again. From me, though, goodnight."
Towards the end of the short studio interview, Grundy goads them by saying "Say something outrageous". To which Steve Jones replies: "You dirty b**tard!"
Grundy: "Go on, again."
Jones: "You dirty f**ker!" (Laughter from the group).
Grundy: "What a clever boy!"
Jones: "What a f**king rotter."
Grundy wraps up the programme: "Well, that's it for tonight. The other rocker Eamonn, and I'm saying nothing else about him, will be back tomorrow.
"I'll be seeing you soon. I hope I'm not seeing you [the band] again. From me, though, goodnight."
1997
Konnie Huq presents Blue Peter (BBC One) for the first time.
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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