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BBC TV Centre & elections (off-topic)

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RI
Richard
Interesting that the 2001 programme referred to "the headquarters of ITV".

Also that the colours of the main three parties are represented in the titles but that it settles on blue at the end!
WH
Whataday Founding member
Interesting that the 2001 programme referred to "the headquarters of ITV".


Well it was at the time, with ITV Network Centre based at Grays Inn Road.
SW
Steve Williams
That audience was made up from some of 'The ITV 500', a panel of members of the public who were used on the channel throughout the campaign.


The ITV 500 was a concept that Granada used for years and years, here's the same thing on World in Action in 1979...





As that brilliant account mentions, they also had a Granada 500 in 1983 and 1992 as well, and presumably also 1987. In 1997 they appeared in a series of networked shows leading up to the election, the "leaders" debate was the last one but they had debates with other party spokespeople on various subjects too. In that election they weren't just from Granadaland, and it was the only time they used them on the night.

The other thing about 1997 was that the same team had also done the local elections twelve months earlier, which I think is the only time ITV ever did a networked local elections programme, presumably as a rehearsal.
:-(
A former member
Crumbs... I never know itv 500 had been around that long. I remember Scottish 500 deffo in 97 for numerous reason. Election. ref.etc.It was the only stv gtv border tri production.

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