The History of Television

Television Network Debuts

1. BBC One - 2nd November 1936

2. BBC Two - 20th April 1964

3. ITV - 22nd September 1955

4. Channel 4 - 2nd November 1982

5. Channel 5 - 30th March 1997

6. ITV 2 - 7th November 1998

7. BBC Three - 22nd September 1998

8. London Live - 31st March 2014

9. BBC Four - 2nd March 2002

10. ITV 3 - 1st November 2004

11. Pick - 1st November 2005 

12. Dave - 1st October 2007
13. Channel 4 + 1: 20th August 2007
14. More 4: 10th October 2005
15. Film 4: 1st November 1998
16. QVC: 23rd September 2007
17. Really: 19th May 2009
18. 4Music: 15th August 2008
19. Yesterday: 30th August 2002
20. Drama: 8th July 2013

Longest Running Current Television Programmes

1. Panorama (1953-)

2. The Sky at Night (1957-)

3. Final Score (1958-)

4. Blue Peter (1958-)

5. Coronation Street (1960-)

6. Points of View (1961-)

7. Songs Praise (1961-)

8. South Today (1961-)

9. University Challenge (1962-1987, 1994-)

10. Doctor Who (1963-1989, 1996, 2005-)

11. Match of the Day (1964-)

12. Gardener's World (1968-

13. A Question of Sport (1968, 1970-)

14. Emmerdale (1972-)

15. Mastermind (1972-)

16. Newsround (1972-)

17. Arena (1975-)

18. One Man and His Dog (1976-)

19. Top Gear (1977-2001, 2002-)

20. Antiques Roadshow (1979-)

Longest Running TV Shows of All Time

1. Panorama (1953-)

2. Sooty (1952, 1955-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-1999, 2000-2004, 2011-2013)

3. Sunday night in the Palladium (1955-1967, 1973-1974, 2014-)

4. The Sky at Night (1957-)

5. Final Score (1958-)

6. Blue Peter (1958-)

7. Andy Pandy (1950, 1952-1970, 2002-2003, 2005)

8. Coronation Street (1960-)

9. Points of View (1961-)

10. Songs Praise (1961-)

11. South Today (1961-)

12. University Challenge (1962-1987, 1994-)

13. What the Papers Say (1956-2008)

13. Doctor Who (1963-1989, 1996, 2005-)

14. Match of the Day (1964-)

15. Mr and Mrs (1964-1999, 2008-2010, 2012-)

16. Muffin the Mule (1946-1955, 2005-2006)

17. Come Dancing (1949-1995)

18. Bill and Ben: The Flowerpot Men (1952-1972, 2001)

19. Grandstand (1958-2007)

20. Gardener's World (1968-)

Please Note: Andy Pandy and Sooty are both Going to Return in 2015. 

Television Shows with by Episode Count

1. Coronation Street - 8,271 episodes

2. Emmerdale - 6,696 episodes

3. Countdown - 5,797 episodes

4. Eastenders - 4,792 episodes

5. Blue Peter - 4,698 episodes

6. Crossroads - 4,510 episodes

7. Hollyoakes - 3,606 episodes

8. Brookside - 2,915 episodes

9. Doctors - 2,659 episodes

10. The Big Breakfast - 2,482 episodes

11. The Bill - 2,338 episodes

12. Family Affairs - 2,285 episodes 

13. Top of the Pops - 2,209 episodes

14. Big Brother - 1,000 episodes

15. Pual O'Grady Show - 929 episodes

16. Casualty - 888 episodes

17. Crown Court - 821 episodes

18. Doctor Who - 809 episodes

19. Z Cars - 100 episodes

20. Click - 746 episodes

Most Watched Progammes on BBC One

1. Eastenders = 30,150,000
2. Eastenders = 28,000,000
3. Only Fools and Horses = 24,350,000
4. Eastenders = 24,300,000
5. Eastenders = 24,150,000
6. To the Manar Born = 23,950,000
7. Panorama = 22,780,000
8. Dallas = 21,600,000
9. Eurovision Song Contest 1973 =  21,560,000
10. Steptoe and Son = 21,540,000

Most Watched Programmes on ITV

1. Coronation Street = 26,650,000
2. Royal Variety Performance 1965 = 24,200,000
3. Royal Variety Performance 1975 = 22,660,000
4. This is Your Life = 22,220,000
5. Sunday Night at the Palladium = 21,890,000
6. The Benny Hill Show = 21,670,000
7. Coronation Street = 21,600,000
8. Coronation Street = 21,400,000
9. Coronation Street = 21,360,000

Average Network Shares (Rounded)

BBC = 32%
ITV = 22%
Channel 4 = 11%
Channel 5 = 6%
UKTV = 5%
Other = 24%

Average Channel Views (Rounded)

BBC One = 22%
BBC Two = 5%
ITV = 13%
Channel 4 = 4%
Channel 5 = 4%
ITV 2 = 2%
BBC Three = 1%
London Live = 0%
BBC Four = 1%
ITV 3 = 2%
Pick = 1%
Dave = 1%
Channel 4 + 1 = 2%
More4 = 1%
Film4 = 1%
QVC = 0%
Really = 1%
4Music = 0%
Yesterday = 1%
Drama = 1%
Other = 37%

Most Watched Programmes per Year

2014: FIFA World Cup Final: Germany vs Argentina = 14,920,000 (BBC One)
2013: End of Year Fireworks = 13,520,000 (BBC One)
2012: 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony = 24,460,000 (BBC One)
2011: The Royal Wedding = 13,590,000 (BBC One)
2010: The X Factor: Final Results = 16,550,000 (ITV)
2009: Britain's Got Talent: Final Results = 18,590,000 (ITV)
2008: Wallace and Grommit: A Matter of Loaf and Death = 16,150,000 (BBC One)
2007: Eastenders = 14,380,000 (BBC One)
2006: 2006 FIFA World Cup: England vs Sweden = 18,460,000 (ITV)
2005: Coronation Street = 14,360,000 (ITV)
2004: EUFA Euro 2004: England vs Portugal = 20,660,000 (BBC One)
2003: Coronation Street = 19,430,000 (ITV)
2002: Only Fools and Horses = 17,400,000 (BBC One)
2001: Only Fools and Horses = 21,350,000 (BBC One)
2000: Coronation Street = 19,960,000 (ITV)