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On This Day...31st March
Channels
1986
BBC Two's new on-screen clock airs for the first time at 1.05am, at closedown.
Announcer David Wheal is on duty: "Well there's the first look at our new clock here on 2, which completes the brand new image which I hope you like.
"If you do, then why not join us all again at some point tomorrow..."
EXTERNAL LINK: BBC Two closedown (31st March 1986).
Announcer David Wheal is on duty: "Well there's the first look at our new clock here on 2, which completes the brand new image which I hope you like.
"If you do, then why not join us all again at some point tomorrow..."
EXTERNAL LINK: BBC Two closedown (31st March 1986).
2000
UK Arena is replaced by UK Drama.
UK Arena launched on 1st November 1997, specialising in arts programming.
The channel was part of the UKTV network of channels. UKTV was a joint venture between the BBC and Flextech.
Poor ratings resulted in a shift of focus to drama and a rebranding to UK Drama.
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 launched on 1st November 1997, specialising in arts programming.
The channel was part of the UKTV network of channels. UKTV was a joint venture between the BBC and Flextech.
Poor ratings resulted in a shift of focus to drama and a rebranding to UK Drama.
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.
2003
The subscription channel Carlton Cinema ceases broadcasting.
Programmes
1958
The final episode of Starr and Company airs on BBC TV.
1965
The first edition of Going for a Song airs on BBC One.
1969
The first episode of French series The Flashing Blade airs on BBC One.
1972
The final episode of Mr Benn airs on BBC One.
1975
Further Up Pompeii! airs on BBC Two.
1975
Futtock's End airs on BBC Two.
Starring Ronnie Barker.
Starring Ronnie Barker.
1981
The final episode of Robin's Nest airs on ITV.
1985
The first edition of Play School...Hallo Again airs on BBC One.
The Sunday edition of the programme would feature material taken from the previous week's programmes.
The Sunday edition of the programme would feature material taken from the previous week's programmes.
1985
The 100th edition of Top Gear airs on BBC Two.
1987
The final edition of Newsnight Afternoon airs on BBC Two.
1988
The final edition of Out of Court airs on BBC Two.
1989
The final edition of Night Network airs on ITV.
1990
The first edition of Paramount City airs on BBC One.
1995
The first edition of Monkhouse's Memory Masters airs on BBC One.
1997
The first episode of Teletubbies airs on BBC One.
1997
The first edition of Blockbusters (latest incarnation) airs on BBC One.
1997
The first edition of Hardtalk airs on BBC News 24.
Presented by Tim Sebastian.
Presented by Tim Sebastian.
1997
The first edition of 100% airs on Channel 5.
Game show. Presented out-of-vision by Robin Houston.
Game show. Presented out-of-vision by Robin Houston.
1999
The final episode of London Bridge airs on ITV (Carlton London).
Drama. Regional programme.
Drama. Regional programme.
2007
The first edition of Any Dream Will Do airs on BBC One.
Talent show. Hosted by Graham Norton.
Talent show. Hosted by Graham Norton.
2012
The final edition of The Weakest Link airs on BBC One.
2014
The final episode of Silk airs on BBC One.
2022
The first edition of Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars airs on BBC One.
2024
The first episode of This Town airs on BBC One.
Drama. Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight.
Drama. Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight.
2024
The first edition of Paul O'Grady's Elephant Adventure airs on ITV 1.
Filmed before Paul's death in March 2023.
Filmed before Paul's death in March 2023.
2025
The final episode of Protection airs on ITV 1.
Drama. Set in the secretive world of witness protection. Starring Siobhan Finneran.
Drama. Set in the secretive world of witness protection. Starring Siobhan Finneran.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1962
BBC TV tape New York City airs for the first time.
2001
BBC Two tape Magic Dancer airs for the first time.
On This Day...31st March
Births
1983
Actor and TV announcer, Anthony Lewis.
Deaths
1960
Former TV news presenter, Lionel Marson.
Events
1997
Bill Buckley is first heard in his new role as Channel 5's senior continuity announcer.
He remained in the job for five years.
He remained in the job for five years.
2021
Frank Mitchell presents the local weather forecast on UTV for the final time, after 37 years with the company.
He ended the weather bulletin with his familiar sign-off: "Take care. Be good. Bye bye".
RELATED ARTICLE: Frank Mitchell and Ken Reid depart UTV.
He ended the weather bulletin with his familiar sign-off: "Take care. Be good. Bye bye".
RELATED ARTICLE: Frank Mitchell and Ken Reid depart UTV.
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.
TV Pres has been created to promote our partnership of independent television presentation sites. These feature high-quality, curated video content that documents the history of TV ephemera such as idents, promotions, advertisements, programme graphics and set design.
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