BR
Antiques Roadshow is probably one show that hasn't really changed at all in the last 30 presenters other than the presenter and the time slot - it use to be around 5.30pm before Songs of Praise when I was growing up.
Agree about Millionaire too - much more of a Sunday night show than a Saturday night show IMO.
I quite enjoy Sunday nights now - I don't make a point of watching Antiques Roadshow - and would never watch it on iPlayer - but sometimes watching it for 20 minutes as it goes out with a cup of tea is oddly comforting.
Antiques Roadshow is probably one show that hasn't really changed at all in the last 30 presenters other than the presenter and the time slot - it use to be around 5.30pm before Songs of Praise when I was growing up.
Agree about Millionaire too - much more of a Sunday night show than a Saturday night show IMO.
SC
Similar memories to me. I also remember Family Fortunes in the pre-Hart to Hart slot. Not sure if Hart to Hart was a networked or part-networked show, or if - a bit like Murder She Wrote - regions tended to show it in the same slot but at their own pace.
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Sunday evenings were always bittersweet - I looked forward to some of my favourite programmes but the cloud of Monday morning and school hung over them!
For me it was Diff'rent Strokes at 7.15. Hart to Hart to follow. Then That's Life over in Beeb after the news.
Similar memories to me. I also remember Family Fortunes in the pre-Hart to Hart slot. Not sure if Hart to Hart was a networked or part-networked show, or if - a bit like Murder She Wrote - regions tended to show it in the same slot but at their own pace.
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Sunday evenings were always bittersweet - I looked forward to some of my favourite programmes but the cloud of Monday morning and school hung over them!
BL
Similar memories to me. I also remember Family Fortunes in the pre-Hart to Hart slot. Not sure if Hart to Hart was a networked or part-networked show, or if - a bit like Murder She Wrote - regions tended to show it in the same slot but at their own pace.
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Sunday evenings were always bittersweet - I looked forward to some of my favourite programmes but the cloud of Monday morning and school hung over them!
I used to occasionally playout ‘Little House on the Prairie’ too. Nice prints. I must stop reading this thread.
For me it was Diff'rent Strokes at 7.15. Hart to Hart to follow. Then That's Life over in Beeb after the news.
Similar memories to me. I also remember Family Fortunes in the pre-Hart to Hart slot. Not sure if Hart to Hart was a networked or part-networked show, or if - a bit like Murder She Wrote - regions tended to show it in the same slot but at their own pace.
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Sunday evenings were always bittersweet - I looked forward to some of my favourite programmes but the cloud of Monday morning and school hung over them!
I used to occasionally playout ‘Little House on the Prairie’ too. Nice prints. I must stop reading this thread.
MA
Similar memories to me. I also remember Family Fortunes in the pre-Hart to Hart slot. Not sure if Hart to Hart was a networked or part-networked show, or if - a bit like Murder She Wrote - regions tended to show it in the same slot but at their own pace.
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Sunday evenings were always bittersweet - I looked forward to some of my favourite programmes but the cloud of Monday morning and school hung over them!
I used to occasionally playout ‘Little House on the Prairie’ too. Nice prints. I must stop reading this thread.
You would have had at least my wife and her mother at the other end watching
For me it was Diff'rent Strokes at 7.15. Hart to Hart to follow. Then That's Life over in Beeb after the news.
Similar memories to me. I also remember Family Fortunes in the pre-Hart to Hart slot. Not sure if Hart to Hart was a networked or part-networked show, or if - a bit like Murder She Wrote - regions tended to show it in the same slot but at their own pace.
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Sunday evenings were always bittersweet - I looked forward to some of my favourite programmes but the cloud of Monday morning and school hung over them!
I used to occasionally playout ‘Little House on the Prairie’ too. Nice prints. I must stop reading this thread.
You would have had at least my wife and her mother at the other end watching
MA
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
I remember my landlord when I was a student (the experience wasn't far off Rising Damp), he was obsessed by Bullseye, if anything happened to interrupt his viewing, big trouble. I used to sit and watch it in my room, so as not to do anything that might lead to problems !
Late afternoon was Bullseye at 5ish, often followed by an American import like Little House or Falcon Crest (at least on Tyne Tees).
I remember my landlord when I was a student (the experience wasn't far off Rising Damp), he was obsessed by Bullseye, if anything happened to interrupt his viewing, big trouble. I used to sit and watch it in my room, so as not to do anything that might lead to problems !
IT
Yes, that was one of the better Sunday evening sitcoms. At least it could raise a chuckle quite frequently - unlike Last of the Summer Wine. My grandpa used to love that show and we had to watch it if he was visiting. It still makes me feel ill 30 years later!
In terms of Howard's Way - I've watched that courtesy of DVD as I wasn't old enough to appreciate it at the time. It's worth it just for the over the top acting and storylines and fortunately it doesn't have that Sunday dread feeling to it like it may do for others who saw it at the time. I have a similar relationship with Bergerac which I have quite enjoyed courtesy of DVDs.
Another Sunday evening show I remember was Pie in the Sky. I didn't mind that one, actually. Not as bad as The House of Elliot! I know someone mentioned The Darling Buds of May - I do remember that one. It seemed strangely comforting at the time. Not sure I could be bothered to try it again now though.
Songs of Praise was the real trigger for me, mainly because I went to a Church of England primary school at the time and so it just reminded me of what was to come that week! Assemblies, parables etc. And the end of term church service. I seem to mostly associate all this with Harry Secombe. I think he was the presenter at the time.
Moving to Sunday mornings - I used to hate the Heaven & Earth show for the same reasons as stated above! I used to like Breakfast with Frost and On The Record purely for the theme tunes. And I quite enjoyed the re-runs of Keeping up Appearances and (I think) 'Allo 'Allo that used to sometimes be on BBC1 on Sunday afternoons.
itsrobert
Founding member
Oh another one was As Time Goes By - was that on Sundays?
Yes, that was one of the better Sunday evening sitcoms. At least it could raise a chuckle quite frequently - unlike Last of the Summer Wine. My grandpa used to love that show and we had to watch it if he was visiting. It still makes me feel ill 30 years later!
In terms of Howard's Way - I've watched that courtesy of DVD as I wasn't old enough to appreciate it at the time. It's worth it just for the over the top acting and storylines and fortunately it doesn't have that Sunday dread feeling to it like it may do for others who saw it at the time. I have a similar relationship with Bergerac which I have quite enjoyed courtesy of DVDs.
Another Sunday evening show I remember was Pie in the Sky. I didn't mind that one, actually. Not as bad as The House of Elliot! I know someone mentioned The Darling Buds of May - I do remember that one. It seemed strangely comforting at the time. Not sure I could be bothered to try it again now though.
Songs of Praise was the real trigger for me, mainly because I went to a Church of England primary school at the time and so it just reminded me of what was to come that week! Assemblies, parables etc. And the end of term church service. I seem to mostly associate all this with Harry Secombe. I think he was the presenter at the time.
Moving to Sunday mornings - I used to hate the Heaven & Earth show for the same reasons as stated above! I used to like Breakfast with Frost and On The Record purely for the theme tunes. And I quite enjoyed the re-runs of Keeping up Appearances and (I think) 'Allo 'Allo that used to sometimes be on BBC1 on Sunday afternoons.
IS
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Yes one of the old quirks of British TV. On a Sunday it was because the 'god slot' was on BBC1 and ITV until 7:15. I've no idea why, maybe no one does, it was probably just a convention that both channels agreed to stick to.
In my memory 7:15 on ITV was always a half hour programme, either a quiz or sitcom - Family Fortunes and The Two of Us spring to mind for that slot. Then an hour for something like Surprise Surprise or variety. Then the news filled the 15 minute gap at 8:45. 9pm was a drama and 10pm was adult comedy - Spitting Image, The New Statesman or Hale and Pace
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Yes one of the old quirks of British TV. On a Sunday it was because the 'god slot' was on BBC1 and ITV until 7:15. I've no idea why, maybe no one does, it was probably just a convention that both channels agreed to stick to.
In my memory 7:15 on ITV was always a half hour programme, either a quiz or sitcom - Family Fortunes and The Two of Us spring to mind for that slot. Then an hour for something like Surprise Surprise or variety. Then the news filled the 15 minute gap at 8:45. 9pm was a drama and 10pm was adult comedy - Spitting Image, The New Statesman or Hale and Pace
NJ
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Yes one of the old quirks of British TV. On a Sunday it was because the 'god slot' was on BBC1 and ITV until 7:15. I've no idea why, maybe no one does, it was probably just a convention that both channels agreed to stick to.
Presumably the x:15/x:45 was a legacy thing that they'd been doing for a while and became "tradition" if you like.
That doesn't explain the Saturday effect though.
Neil Jones
Founding member
Programmes on an early Sunday evening (and often Saturday evening) tended to start at 15 minutes or 45 minutes past the hour - the reason being a 10-minute news bulletin was scheduled at 6.30 Sundays, followed sometimes by a 5-minute “appeal” - then a similar 15-minute news bulletin was shown at 8.45 or 9.15.
Yes one of the old quirks of British TV. On a Sunday it was because the 'god slot' was on BBC1 and ITV until 7:15. I've no idea why, maybe no one does, it was probably just a convention that both channels agreed to stick to.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/itw/features/Limits.html posted:
[Prior to 1972]On Sundays: There shall be no broadcasting between 6.15pm and 7.15pm; but this paragraph does not apply to religious programmes as defined in rule 2.i [elsewhere on this page], or to outside broadcasts of events neither devised nor promoted by the Authority or its programme contractors, or to programmes in the Welsh language ... The Sunday rules clear [sic] come from a different age. Adult programmes were required on Sunday afternoon so that children wouldn't be encouraged not to go to Sunday School by them. Similarly their parents were not allowed to be enticed to stay at home in the evening away from church by the television, except for some reason if they were Welsh speakers.
Presumably the x:15/x:45 was a legacy thing that they'd been doing for a while and became "tradition" if you like.
That doesn't explain the Saturday effect though.
SW
Yes, the God slot initially ran 6-15-7.25, then from 1977 to 1992 it was 6.40-7.15. Why they didn't choose to start or end it on the hour, heaven knows. Greg Dyke said the best thing he did at LWT was introduce double drama on a Sunday, with dramas at both 7.45 and 8.45 (sometimes the news was at 8.45, sometimes at 9.45) which was a conscious attempt to move ITV on from its downmarket reputation, and the 9pm slot was where they'd put their big prestige shows like Poirot and Jeeves and Wooster that the ABC1s loved.
Similarly on BBC1 it was usually a sitcom at 7.15, then a drama at 7.45, another sitcom at 8.35 and a drama at 9.05. When the God Slot ended, the Beeb still kept Songs of Praise there - and didn't do too badly, it would sometimes beat ITV - but moved it to 6.25 so programmes could now start on the hour and half hour.
It made for a nice headline, boring old Highway replaced by blockbuster movies, but the Movie Premieres were never going to be a long-term thing, there is only a finite number of films that can play there. But for a couple of years, for the first six weeks or so of the year they did get into the habit of showing a season of family films at 6pm, they were still doing it in 1996. Obviously the arrival of the Sunday Corrie meant that had to end. Heartbeat was no different in terms of the slot to other pre-watershed dramas they'd shown on Sundays like Forever Green, the different was Heartbeat ran for 26 weeks of the year.
What I most associate the Sunday teatime slot with for much of the mid-nineties was things like Dr Quinn Medicine Woman and SeaQuest at 6.30, although Granada actually used to opt out of that most weeks for the Corrie omnibus, which they kept going for years after the other regions dropped it. When they started doing daytime repeats of the previous night's Corrie in 1993, Granada dropped the omnibus and showed those instead, but within about six months they decided to do an omnibus again, and opted out of the daytime repeats shown across the network. Rather oddly it was still an hour long and only included Wednesday and Friday's episodes, but as I say, it was in a very prominent slot indeed, 6.30 on a Sunday, it must have really rated well for them. It only stopped when new episodes of Corrie appeared at 7.30 on Sundays.
Even after that it wasn't long before they brought back the omnibus earlier in the afternoon, now with all four episodes. I have the 2000 Christmas Radio Times where Granada opt out for pretty much the entire afternoon one day after Christmas to show a bumper omnibus.
Yes one of the old quirks of British TV. On a Sunday it was because the 'god slot' was on BBC1 and ITV until 7:15. I've no idea why, maybe no one does, it was probably just a convention that both channels agreed to stick to.
In my memory 7:15 on ITV was always a half hour programme, either a quiz or sitcom - Family Fortunes and The Two of Us spring to mind for that slot. Then an hour for something like Surprise Surprise or variety. Then the news filled the 15 minute gap at 8:45. 9pm was a drama and 10pm was adult comedy - Spitting Image, The New Statesman or Hale and Pace
In my memory 7:15 on ITV was always a half hour programme, either a quiz or sitcom - Family Fortunes and The Two of Us spring to mind for that slot. Then an hour for something like Surprise Surprise or variety. Then the news filled the 15 minute gap at 8:45. 9pm was a drama and 10pm was adult comedy - Spitting Image, The New Statesman or Hale and Pace
Yes, the God slot initially ran 6-15-7.25, then from 1977 to 1992 it was 6.40-7.15. Why they didn't choose to start or end it on the hour, heaven knows. Greg Dyke said the best thing he did at LWT was introduce double drama on a Sunday, with dramas at both 7.45 and 8.45 (sometimes the news was at 8.45, sometimes at 9.45) which was a conscious attempt to move ITV on from its downmarket reputation, and the 9pm slot was where they'd put their big prestige shows like Poirot and Jeeves and Wooster that the ABC1s loved.
Similarly on BBC1 it was usually a sitcom at 7.15, then a drama at 7.45, another sitcom at 8.35 and a drama at 9.05. When the God Slot ended, the Beeb still kept Songs of Praise there - and didn't do too badly, it would sometimes beat ITV - but moved it to 6.25 so programmes could now start on the hour and half hour.
Funny to think that when the God Slot was axed, they replaced it with Diet Coke Movie Premieres, which didn’t last too long at all. I think when they moved Heartbeat, it really changed the schedule.
It made for a nice headline, boring old Highway replaced by blockbuster movies, but the Movie Premieres were never going to be a long-term thing, there is only a finite number of films that can play there. But for a couple of years, for the first six weeks or so of the year they did get into the habit of showing a season of family films at 6pm, they were still doing it in 1996. Obviously the arrival of the Sunday Corrie meant that had to end. Heartbeat was no different in terms of the slot to other pre-watershed dramas they'd shown on Sundays like Forever Green, the different was Heartbeat ran for 26 weeks of the year.
What I most associate the Sunday teatime slot with for much of the mid-nineties was things like Dr Quinn Medicine Woman and SeaQuest at 6.30, although Granada actually used to opt out of that most weeks for the Corrie omnibus, which they kept going for years after the other regions dropped it. When they started doing daytime repeats of the previous night's Corrie in 1993, Granada dropped the omnibus and showed those instead, but within about six months they decided to do an omnibus again, and opted out of the daytime repeats shown across the network. Rather oddly it was still an hour long and only included Wednesday and Friday's episodes, but as I say, it was in a very prominent slot indeed, 6.30 on a Sunday, it must have really rated well for them. It only stopped when new episodes of Corrie appeared at 7.30 on Sundays.
Even after that it wasn't long before they brought back the omnibus earlier in the afternoon, now with all four episodes. I have the 2000 Christmas Radio Times where Granada opt out for pretty much the entire afternoon one day after Christmas to show a bumper omnibus.
Last edited by Steve Williams on 9 December 2020 11:47am
MA
In my memory 7:15 on ITV was always a half hour programme, either a quiz or sitcom - Family Fortunes and The Two of Us spring to mind for that slot.
The Muppet Show ended up networked at 7:15 Sundays, although I seem to recall the first series, was all over the place in different ITV regions ?
Southern had it at about 3:30 on Sundays ISTR ?
In my memory 7:15 on ITV was always a half hour programme, either a quiz or sitcom - Family Fortunes and The Two of Us spring to mind for that slot.
The Muppet Show ended up networked at 7:15 Sundays, although I seem to recall the first series, was all over the place in different ITV regions ?
Southern had it at about 3:30 on Sundays ISTR ?