
On This Day...
26th April
Channels
1982
The Satellite Channel begins broadcasting.
In 1984, it would be renamed Sky Channel, having been purchased by Rupert Murdoch. Later again, it would be renamed Sky One.
Programmes
1964
The first edition of News Review airs on BBC Two.
It's presented by Robert Dougall.
1980
The first episode of Knot's Landing airs on BBC One.
1987
The final edition of Asian Magazine airs on BBC One.
1987
The final edition of The Tube airs on Channel 4.
1988
The final edition of Russell Harty's Grand Tour airs on BBC Two.
1989
The first episode of Shalom Salaam airs on BBC Two.
1990
The final episode of 01 for London airs on ITV.
1992
The first episode of Don't Tell Father airs on BBC One.
2000
The first episode of Rebus airs on ITV.
Drama. Starring John Hannah in the title role of Detective Inspector John Rebus. Ken Stott replaced him (2006 – 2007).
2020
The first episode of Van Der Valk (revived series) airs on ITV.
Starring Marc Warren.
2020
The final episode of Trigonometry airs on BBC Two.
A love story about three people who are made for each other.
2021
The first episode of Viewpoint airs on ITV.
2025
The first edition of The Assembly airs on ITV 1.
Celebrities are grilled by an audience of autistic, neurodivergent and learning-disabled interviewers.
A pilot aired on BBC One on 5th April 2024.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1962
BBC TV tape Tom Dooley airs for the first time.
1974
BBC Two tape Giroflé-Girofla airs for the final time.
1988
BBC One tape Bottoms Up airs for the first time.

On This Day...
26th April
Births
1919
Former TV commentator and producer, Barrie Edgar.
1926
Former TV sports presenter/commentator,
David Coleman.
1953
Actor and former TV presenter, Andy Secombe.
1965
TV presenter, Juliet Morris.
1967
TV sports presenter, Matt Smith.
1972
TV/radio presenter, Margherita Taylor.
Deaths
1999
Former TV presenter,
Jill Dando.
Events
2021
John Humphrys presents Mastermind (BBC Two) for the 735th and final 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.