SW
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.
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...
Before The #BattleForNumber10, there was The Granada 500! Here's the listing for 1979. #Election2017 pic.twitter.com/qQjuQ9oDKi
— Gary Rodger (@garyrodgervideo) May 29, 2017
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.