NJ
Catchphrase must be up there, surely. Or Family Fortunes.
I think they've taken a break with some shows. Catchphrase (TVS episodes) were shown to about 1999/2000, then Catchphrase (Carlton episodes)returned in 2004 and they've been running since. I think Family Fortunes hasn't stopped at any point. Bullseye, like Catchphrase has been on since 2004 without a break. Worth noting Bullseye was on UK Gold and Granada Plus prior to Challenge.
I forgot an obvious example - Takeshi's Castle. 2002 that first came to Challenge. That may now be the longest running programme possibly alongside Family Fortunes and maybe Supermarket Sweep as well?
Some of the other Japanese imports were on for a while as well, Sasuke/Ninja Warrior has been on for about eight or nine years now, albeit not with its original voiceover (originally Stuart Hall, later redubbed). Unbeatable Banzuki was around for a while too IIRC but is no longer shown.
Neil Jones
Founding member
Not sure what the next longest Challenge run series is - possibly Bullseye, as its been on the channel since around 2004. Other stuff has come, gone and come back again though.
Catchphrase must be up there, surely. Or Family Fortunes.
I think they've taken a break with some shows. Catchphrase (TVS episodes) were shown to about 1999/2000, then Catchphrase (Carlton episodes)returned in 2004 and they've been running since. I think Family Fortunes hasn't stopped at any point. Bullseye, like Catchphrase has been on since 2004 without a break. Worth noting Bullseye was on UK Gold and Granada Plus prior to Challenge.
I forgot an obvious example - Takeshi's Castle. 2002 that first came to Challenge. That may now be the longest running programme possibly alongside Family Fortunes and maybe Supermarket Sweep as well?
Some of the other Japanese imports were on for a while as well, Sasuke/Ninja Warrior has been on for about eight or nine years now, albeit not with its original voiceover (originally Stuart Hall, later redubbed). Unbeatable Banzuki was around for a while too IIRC but is no longer shown.
JO
When did they start showing 'Classic Millionaire' about 2005? That's been on almost continuously. Don't forgot in 2003 Challenge made a concerted effort for a bit to move away from studio based game shows about the time they did their own version of Fort Boyard so don't think they were running shoes like Blockbusters and Catchphrase at that time.
NW
I have a DVD recording somewhere from 2004, with 'Classic Millionaire' ending on Challenge. The 2002 period wasn't the best for Challenge, they then bought some more of the older shows back in 2004/5. Towards the end of the 2000's it felt like the station was forgotten about, I think it's had a resurgence under Sky's ownership.
I know it's a cheap channel to run, but I'm amazed Sky have kept it running well for so long. I'm amazed Sky didn't close it, Bravo was disposed of quite easily.
When did they start showing 'Classic Millionaire' about 2005? That's been on almost continuously. Don't forgot in 2003 Challenge made a concerted effort for a bit to move away from studio based game shows about the time they did their own version of Fort Boyard so don't think they were running shoes like Blockbusters and Catchphrase at that time.
I have a DVD recording somewhere from 2004, with 'Classic Millionaire' ending on Challenge. The 2002 period wasn't the best for Challenge, they then bought some more of the older shows back in 2004/5. Towards the end of the 2000's it felt like the station was forgotten about, I think it's had a resurgence under Sky's ownership.
I know it's a cheap channel to run, but I'm amazed Sky have kept it running well for so long. I'm amazed Sky didn't close it, Bravo was disposed of quite easily.
BH
BillyH
Founding member
I think it must be Takeshi by now - Classic Millionaire was 2004, around the same time Catchphrase returned with the later (1994) Walker era. (EDIT: Actually yeah, Family Fortunes I think has lasted longer)
Challenge tried a huge amount of different ideas in the early noughties, they moved away big time from the archive gameshows they mostly showed in the late 90s and for a good few years there was barely anything on the channel more than fifteen years old. Showing 30+ year old gameshows like they do with Bullseye today would have been unthinkable at the peak of Takeshi era, unless they were buried away in the early hours of the morning.
The first Challenge episodes picked up where the ITV Classic Millionaire shows ended - I think beginning with episodes recorded in late 1999, which would be season 4. Unlike the ITV repeats though there were no new Tarrant intros or contestant interviews, just re-edits of the originals.
Challenge tried a huge amount of different ideas in the early noughties, they moved away big time from the archive gameshows they mostly showed in the late 90s and for a good few years there was barely anything on the channel more than fifteen years old. Showing 30+ year old gameshows like they do with Bullseye today would have been unthinkable at the peak of Takeshi era, unless they were buried away in the early hours of the morning.
I can only assume that the episodes shown in 2004 were repeats of the ITV 'Classic Millionaire' shows aired at teatime in summer 2003, as the currently shown episodes have a copyright date of 2005
The first Challenge episodes picked up where the ITV Classic Millionaire shows ended - I think beginning with episodes recorded in late 1999, which would be season 4. Unlike the ITV repeats though there were no new Tarrant intros or contestant interviews, just re-edits of the originals.
Last edited by BillyH on 24 June 2016 9:54pm
NJ
Neil Jones
Founding member
There was also a lot of reality TV around in the early to mid 2000s as that was the in-thing on the back of the success of Big Brother and I do remember Challenge went after their share of it at the expense of many other things. A lot of it was dirt cheap lowest common denominator programming, so memorable I can't remember what any of it was called, that's how good it was.
Oh and they started getting into Poker as well, though I don't think that lasted very long when the Quiz TV era came along shortly afterwards. Challenge didn't air any Quiz TV IIRC, though their sister channel Ftn did.
Oh and they started getting into Poker as well, though I don't think that lasted very long when the Quiz TV era came along shortly afterwards. Challenge didn't air any Quiz TV IIRC, though their sister channel Ftn did.
IN
I thought the reality stuff was Trouble stuff that they just repeated (Cruel Summer being the obvious one that springs to mind).
There was also a lot of reality TV around in the early to mid 2000s as that was the in-thing on the back of the success of Big Brother and I do remember Challenge went after their share of it at the expense of many other things. A lot of it was dirt cheap lowest common denominator programming, so memorable I can't remember what any of it was called, that's how good it was.
Oh and they started getting into Poker as well, though I don't think that lasted very long when the Quiz TV era came along shortly afterwards. Challenge didn't air any Quiz TV IIRC, though their sister channel Ftn did.
Oh and they started getting into Poker as well, though I don't think that lasted very long when the Quiz TV era came along shortly afterwards. Challenge didn't air any Quiz TV IIRC, though their sister channel Ftn did.
I thought the reality stuff was Trouble stuff that they just repeated (Cruel Summer being the obvious one that springs to mind).
JO
I suppose the issue for Challenge over the past few years is that a lot of gameshow content can now be found via let's say 'other sources' (and people are a lot more 'tech savvy') therefore they run a risk of spending big money on the rights and then not get the ratings to make it worthwhile - it is a business at the end of the day!
They know Bullseye / Millionaire and the like bring in the numbers so that's what they generally stick with. I'm not too happy that they show so much of The Chase and Pointless but again it's probably cheap and gets the numbers!
They know Bullseye / Millionaire and the like bring in the numbers so that's what they generally stick with. I'm not too happy that they show so much of The Chase and Pointless but again it's probably cheap and gets the numbers!
SP
I would love to see Challenge bring back the original format, with viewer competitions between each programme in the evening peak.
Viewer engagement, fresh content each day, income from premium phone calls to offset the cost, fewer programmes needed as 10 minutes of every hour is IVC. And it would be a perfect gig for Greg Scott.
Viewer engagement, fresh content each day, income from premium phone calls to offset the cost, fewer programmes needed as 10 minutes of every hour is IVC. And it would be a perfect gig for Greg Scott.