
On This Day...
29th March
Channels
1984
Music Box begins broadcasting.
A pioneering pan-European 24-hour cable and satellite channel, operated by Music Box Ltd.
1984
Screensport begins broadcasting.
A pan-European sports television channel.
In 1993, it merged with Eurosport.
1984
Robert Maxwell's The Entertainment Network (TEN) begins broadcasting.
1998
BBC America begins broadcasting.
The channel is owned by BBC Studios and AMC Networks and airs a mix of programme genres including sci-fi, action, documentaries, as well as films.
It is funded through advertising.
2002
BBC One updates its on-screen presentation.
The globe device is dropped and replaced by a series of live-action idents, with the theme rhythm and movement.
The new package was produced by Lambie-Nairn.
Programmes
1960
The 5th Eurovision Song Contest airs on BBC TV.
It's held at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Katie Boyle presents the show.
France wins the contest with the song Tom Pillibi, performed by Jacqueline Boyer. Bryan Johnson comes 2nd for the UK.
1971
The first edition of Sesame Street airs on ITV (HTV).
LWT and Grampian would be the next ITV regions to air the programme, on 25th September 1971.
The programme would not be fully networked until 1986.
1977
The first episode of Warship airs on BBC One.
1981
The London Marathon is televised for the first time - on BBC One.
1981
The final episode of Doctor Down Under airs on ITV.
1984
The final episode of Crown Court airs on ITV.
1985
Play School is shown in the afternoon for the final time - on BBC One.
1986
The final edition of The Sea of Faith airs on BBC Two.
1988
The first edition of Russell Harty's Grand Tour airs on BBC Two.
1989
The first edition of Here to Stay airs on BBC One.
Presented by Robert Kilroy-Silk.
1992
The final episode of Hannah Hauxwell - Innocent Abroad airs on ITV.
1993
Antiques Roadshow: Fifteen Priceless Years airs on BBC One.
1997
The final edition of Pebble Mill airs on BBC One.
1999
The final episode of Mrs Merton and Malcolm airs on BBC One.
2002
The final edition of The Big Breakfast airs on Channel 4.
2007
The final edition of Dead Ringers airs on BBC Two.
2022
The final episode of Holby City airs on BBC One.
2024
The Life and Death of Lily Savage airs on ITV 1.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1988
BBC Two tape Jumpin' Jupiter airs for the first time.
1990
BBC Two tape Colours airs for the first time.

On This Day...
29th March
Births
1939
Former actor, comedian and TV presenter, Ronnie Williams.
1943
Former TV/radio weather presenter, Bernard Davey.
1944
Radio presenter and former TV news presenter, John Suchet.
1955
TV/radio sports presenter/commentator and former TV announcer,
Charles Colville.
Events
1987
Fiona Armstrong presents an ITN news programme 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.