The biggest programme producer in ITV
Ten programme departments and two subsidiary film companies make Thames the biggest programme producer in ITV
Entertainment // With shows like Benny Hill, Morecambe and Wise. Mike Yarwood. London Night Out and This Is Your Life, and with situation comedies like Shelley, It Takes A Worried Man and Don't Rock The Boat, Thames brings entertainment and laughter to millions of homes each week.
Euston Films // Thames’ film-making subsidiary has been responsible for some of ITV’s most successful series, from The Sweeney and Minder to The Flame Trees ofT hika. working entirely on location to achieve realism and using the flexibility of film to create convincing and fast-moving action. Euston Films has also produced full length feature films from successful TV series.
Children’s Programmes // Stig of the Dump, Freetime and CBTV - Channel 14 are just some of the productions that have extended and enhanced the range of programmes for younger viewers. Similarly, Cosgrove Hall, Thames’ animated film subsidiary, has made spectacular advances in puppet animations such as the award winning The Pied Piper of Hamelin, as well as making cartoons like Danger Mouse.
Current Affairs // Thames has a well-proven commitment to providing in-depth reports on current events, whether at a local level through Thames News and Reporting London, or nationally and worldwide through the award-winning TV Eye series.
Features // Long-running series like After Noon Plus and Help! do more than entertain: thousands of letters each year confirm the close contact After Noon Plus has with its audience; Help! has consistently provided a focus for community action, offering assistance and advice to those who need it, not only through the programme itself, but through a wide range of free Help! literature.
Drama // Thames’ drama department is one of the most accomplished in ITV with a record that embraces such memorable productions as Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill, The Naked Civil Servant and Edward & Mrs. Simpson. The department’s continuing high output of series and single plays ranges from A Voyage Round My Father to Something In Disguise and The Agatha Christie Hour.
Documentaries // With The World at War, Thames took a serious subject to the top of the audience ratings. Similar success attended Palestine, Hollywood and The Troubles (a series of programmes about Ireland). More recent productions include a history of organised crime, and a wide range of single factual programmes, some serious and others light-hearted in tone.
Sport // Thames’ sports department is a mainstay of ITV’s weekday coverage of such events as gymnastics, horse racing, league and European soccer whilst Thames Sport keeps London viewers up to date weekly with local events. Outside Broadcasts are one of television’s most powerful assets, and Thames cameras regularly give viewers a sense of ‘being there at events ranging from State visits to disco dancing championships.
Education // Thames provides much of ITV’s morning output for schools, as well as a range of adult education programmes of which Botanic Man, and The Human Race are both good examples. Thames’ commitment to the arts is demonstrated by the televising of major artistic performances like the Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake, and the RSC’s The Three Sisters.
About the author
'A Closer View' was published by Thames in late 1982 and sent to advertisers and interested viewers
