Television and Radio 1977

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The official IBA guide to Thames Television in 1977

Thames Television

London Weekdays

Thames Television House, 306-316 Euston Road, LONDON NW1 3BB
Tel: 01-387 9494
Teddington Studios, Teddington Lock, TEDDINGTON, Middlesex TW11 9NT
Tel: 01-977 3252
Sales Office: Norfolk House, Smallbrook Queensway, BIRMINGHAM BS 4LJ
Tel: 021-643 9151

Thames Television Limited is the company which, under agreement with the Independent Broadcasting Authority, provides the television programmes in London on weekdays from Monday to 7 pm Friday.

Directors. Howard Thomas, CBE (Chairman); George A Cooper (Managing Director); Mrs Mary Baker; John T Davey, FCA; D R W Dicks; H S L Dundas, DSO, DFC; Jeremy Isaacs (Director of Programmes); John E Read; Ian M Scott, CA (Director of Finance and General Manager, Teddington); James F Shaw (Director of Sales); T H Tilling; Colin S Wills, MA, FCA (Assistant Managing Director); Lord Wolfenden, CBE, MA.

Executives. Ben E Marr, CA (Company Secretary); R G J Godfrey (Studios and Engineering Director); F J Atkinson (Controller, Studio Operations); Donald Cullimore (Controller, Public Relations); John Edwards (Controller of Current Affairs and Documentaries); John Hambley (Controller, Advertising and Publications); R J Hughes (Sales Controller); Philip Jones (Controller of Light Entertainment); Verity Lambert (Controller of Drama); Geoffrey Lugg (Controller, Programme Planning); Ian Martin (Acting Controller of Features, Education and Religion); Malcolm Morris (Controller, Programme Department); John O’Keefe (Controller, Staff Relations); Eric E Parry (Controller, Programme Services); C J Smeaton (Controller, Administration); Grahame Turner (Controller of Outside Broadcasts); Sue Turner (Controller of Children’s Programmes); Max Lawson, FCA (Chief Accountant); Brian G Scott, C Eng, MIEE (Chief Engineer); Douglas Thornes (Research and Marketing Services Manager).
Thames Television International Limited (for programme sales) – Muir Sutherland (Chief Executive).

Enquiries. Enquiries about artists and programmes should be addressed to Viewers’ Correspondence, Thames Television House, 306-316 Euston Road, London NW1 3BB.

Sales and Marketing. Thames operates a full marketing and merchandising service and offers special rates for local advertisers, holiday and travel advertisers, etc. Details are available from the Sales Controller.

Thames Television House in Central London.

Programmes. From Thames Television’s two main production centres – at Euston in Central London and at Teddington on the River Thames – come well over a thousand programmes a year for the London region and for the ITV network.

Thames output covers the whole range of television programmes. Most drama, light entertainment and children’s programmes are made at Teddington where there are three studios, the largest 7,500 sq. ft, all fully operational in colour.

The widely praised and international award winning Thames documentary series The World At War was prepared mainly at Teddington. Current affairs and news programmes are produced at Thames Television House, Euston, with its presentation and audience studios and extensive VTR, telecine and editing facilities.

From the mobile division, based at Hanworth near Teddington, the outside broadcast units with their sophisticated equipment cover the country for major sporting events, fashion shows, beauty contests and other special events.

Working from its own base at Hammersmith is the fourth important element of Thames’ production structure – Euston Films. This wholly owned Thames subsidiary, which makes film drama programmes on location mainly for television, has over recent years contributed significantly to Thames’ drama output.

As well as contributing to the popularity and critical success of ITV’s programmes, the wide range of Thames productions is finding an increasing market among viewers in other countries. Here is a list of some of the programmes Thames produces:

Drama: Plays for Britain; Killers; The Crezz; Special Branch; Shades of Greene; Jennie – Lady Randolph Churchill; Moody and Pegg; The Sweeney; Rock Follies; Life and Death of Penelope; Couples; Bill Brand. Children’s: Magpie; The Sooty Show; Rainbow; The Tomorrow People; Pauline’s Quirkes; Horse in the House; The Feathered Serpent; And Maisy Too…; Issi Noho; Paperplay; You Must Be Joking; Shadows; All Together a Now; King Wilbur III; The Molly Wopsies. Light Entertainment: Comedy: Man About the House; George and Mildred; Bless This House; Get Some In; Spring and Autumn; Howerd Confessions; What’s On Next; Paradise Island. Variety and Specials: This Is Your I Life; The Benny Hill Show; The Tommy Cooper Show; Billy Dainty Esquire; The Tom O’Connor Show; Bring On The Girls; Listen To My Music; Opportunity Knocks; The Mating Season. Panel Shows: Looks Familiar; Quick On The Draw; There Goes That Song Again. Current Affairs: This Week; Today; Tuesday Documentary; Take Two; Something to Say; People and Politics; Destination America. Features: Good Afternoon; Money-Go-Round; Problems; Billboard. Outside Broadcasts: Wrestling; Racing; Football; Drive-In (motoring magazine); Specials (fashion shows, beauty contests, Royal Command Performances, Drama and Film Awards); Wish You Were Here; International Snooker. Schools: Seeing and Doing; Finding Out; The World Around Us; Romeo and Juliet; It’s Life with David Bellamy; It’s More Life; Writer’s Workshop; Le Nouvel Arrive (French); Viewpoint. Adult Education: Planting for Pleasure; Waterwise; Seven Ages of Fashion; Musical Triangles; The Playwright; This Sporting Land; Home Brew; Arts Bazaar. Religion: Late night religious programmes through the year; Christmas Services; Who Is This Man?; Crisis of the Cross; Lord of the Dance; Michael Cantuar; The Story of Job; Help!; The Fruits of the Tree; Not Just Sundays.

About the author

Eric Croston was editor of the ITA and IBA yearbooks from 1963 until 1985

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