Forces TV, Rewind TV and That's TV

[OceanBlue]

Starting a thread for UK TV channel Forces TV. I didn't find out about them until earlier on last year, when I read on their Facebook page that they would be doing a repeat run of late eighties to early nineties detective drama series Midnight Caller. The channel show a mixture of American and UK series (they've started showing this week a Brian Conley sitcom called Time After Time).

Below is the website address link for the channel:

https://www.forces.net/forces-tv

[cutback73]

Thanks @OceanBlue for setting up this thread.

I'm not sure how long the channel has been running, however I first became aware of it when hunting through the listings in 2019 for something to watch and seeing The Equaliser being shown (my favourite drama of all time which starred Edward Woodward who was voted sexiest man alive by US viewers during the run at the age of ?57ish [hope for me yet )

Bit by bit, the channel seemed to work through many hit 1980s drama and scifi shows including the above, Miami Vice, the original V, Quantum Leap and others.

They also have been working through a long list of 1980s and 1990s sitcoms from BBC and ITV. Surgical Spirit and Time After Time being the latest. I've enjoyed rewatching some including May to December, On The Up (just the one Mrs Wembley!).

The run of Midnight Caller last year was the first UK broadcast in entirety (apart from the pilot) in 30+ years.

The next show starting this weekend is Spenser for Hire, another show not broadcast over here in 30+ years, starring Robert Urich and Avery Brooks (long before Star Trek Deep Space 9).

They have also been broadcasting 70s sci fi shows including the short lived Man From Atlantis and The Omega Factor, UFO and are in the early stages of rerunning Blake's 7. Confirmed!

The channel seems to have found a niche in "cult" drama and sci fi that isn't generally shown elsewhere. And some which is not available on dvd in the UK unless importing.

Although their website only lists schedules for that week, the Virgin guide always shows the next 2 weeks.

Most shows are broadcast twice a day during the week and repeated at weekends.

Broadcast quality varies, but with the nature of the programming, many shows are video copies. And the sets still wobble on Blake's 7...

[OceanBlue]

Have set the feature-length pilot of Spenser: for Hire to record next Saturday night (although it's first being shown on late Saturday morning, followed by the first two episodes). The first two episodes after the pilot are being shown again on Saturday night, with the next two or three episodes on Sunday.

If the picture quality on Forces TV's repeats is the same as on the Warner Archive Collection's DVD release of the first season, then they will have an 'edited on film' look, compared to Midnight Caller which was definitely 'edited on video' in it's first season (have only got as far as the first handful of episodes in it's second season).

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Have set the feature-length pilot of Spenser: for Hire to record next Saturday night (although it's first being shown on late Saturday morning, followed by the first two episodes). The first two episodes after the pilot are being shown again on Saturday night, with the next two or three episodes on Sunday.

If the picture quality on Forces TV's repeats is the same as on the Warner Archive Collection's DVD release of the first season, then they will have an 'edited on film' look, compared to Midnight Caller which was definitely 'edited on video' in it's first season (have only got as far as the first handful of episodes in it's second season).

Having watched this weekend's episodes, the version of Spenser being transmitted has clearly been edited on film. Having been to Boston in 2015, I've been location spotting quite a bit. Have spotted the concrete boxes at the edge of the common, one of which I walked straight into while I was looking at the common itself

You can quite often identify the filming location from where the high rise office blocks are on screen (as they are located downtown and stick out like a sore thumb (much like they do in LA downtown)

[Steedeel]

I got excited for a minute thinking Forces tv was a channel full of army docs and shows.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I got excited for a minute thinking Forces tv was a channel full of army docs and shows.

Earlier this week, the channel posted a banner strongly hinting at them starting soon a repeat run of some episodes of the original Doctor Who TV series.

Earlier today I think, they posted a couple of picture clues hinting at two shows they'll be repeating soon. The picture on the right, I think is for sitcom Dear John. The one on the left though, I'm guessing at either Twin Peaks or Northern Exposure (it looks like a moose's head on a wall).

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by cutback73

Having watched this weekend's episodes, the version of Spenser being transmitted has clearly been edited on film. Having been to Boston in 2015, I've been location spotting quite a bit. Have spotted the concrete boxes at the edge of the common, one of which I walked straight into while I was looking at the common itself

You can quite often identify the filming location from where the high rise office blocks are on screen (as they are located downtown and stick out like a sore thumb (much like they do in LA downtown)

I didn't end up recording last Saturday's airing of the feature-length pilot of Spenser: for Hire, but I caught some of an airing of another episode last night. And I agree, they're clearly edited on film masters which have been provided to Forces TV.

I'm hoping the channel will be repeating Harry O, as it fits with what they've shown already. I'd also like them to show another Warner Brothers-owned series, Then Came Bronson (it was a one season-only series, preceded by a feature-length pilot (the pilot was I think also released internationally in cinemas).

[OceanBlue]

Forces TV posted on their Facebook page yesterday, that from this coming Sunday night they're starting a repeat run of a mid-nineties comedy series whose cast includes Roy Barraclough and Dora Bryan, called Mother's Ruin (six episodes in total).

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by cutback73

Having watched this weekend's episodes, the version of Spenser being transmitted has clearly been edited on film. Having been to Boston in 2015, I've been location spotting quite a bit. Have spotted the concrete boxes at the edge of the common, one of which I walked straight into while I was looking at the common itself

You can quite often identify the filming location from where the high rise office blocks are on screen (as they are located downtown and stick out like a sore thumb (much like they do in LA downtown)

Have checked the listings for next Friday night, and after the episode being shown that night (called "At the River's Edge"), Forces TV should start showing the second season the week after next.

[cutback73]

Based on the Virgin TV schedules, the next TV sitcom lined up is "Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggatt", a 70s sitcom starring Bill Maynard (Greengrass in Heartbeat). Later series also seem to include the sadly recently passed Lynda Baron (the legendary Nurse Gladys Emmanuel...)

Spenser for Hire finishes shortly. After which Midnight Caller reruns again 2 hours a night.

The current classic Doctor Who run seems to be replaced by another showing of Man from Atlantis.

They are also rerunning Chimera over 4 nights. A tasty British 90s horror. More gruesome than I remembered!

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by cutback73

Based on the Virgin TV schedules, the next TV sitcom lined up is "Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggatt", a 70s sitcom starring Bill Maynard (Greengrass in Heartbeat). Later series also seem to include the sadly recently passed Lynda Baron (the legendary Nurse Gladys Emmanuel...)

Spenser for Hire finishes shortly. After which Midnight Caller reruns again 2 hours a night.

The current classic Doctor Who run seems to be replaced by another showing of Man from Atlantis.

They are also rerunning Chimera over 4 nights. A tasty British 90s horror. More gruesome than I remembered!

I saw a clue about a show Forces TV are starting a repeat run of soon (on the channel's Facebook page this week). It must have been about the Bill Maynard series.

[OceanBlue]

Forces TV this week have posted a hint about a series they're showing soon. Then in the comments section, someone posted (with no source) that the channel will start a repeat run of Return of the Saint from Monday 25th April.

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Forces TV this week have posted a hint about a series they're showing soon. Then in the comments section, someone posted (with no source) that the channel will start a repeat run of Return of the Saint from Monday 25th April.

I can confirm that the Virgin listings show Return of The Saint weeknights at 10pm from 25 April.

The first half of filming had significant funding from RAI which means episodes shot around Rome and in Venice.
the second half is more UK based. It's a fun series, most remembered now probably for a cracking theme tune.

Which even Alan Partridge likes

You've got 10 minutes Lynn, go give it to her

[cutback73]

A reminder that Return of the Saint starts its rerun from tomorrow (Monday 25th), 4 nights a week.

This week includes an episode filmed entirely in Venice which should be showing on Wednesday night, which is Ian Ogilvy's favourite of those he filmed.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by cutback73

A reminder that Return of the Saint starts its rerun from tomorrow (Monday 25th), 4 nights a week.

This week includes an episode filmed entirely in Venice which should be showing on Wednesday night, which is Ian Ogilvy's favourite of those he filmed.

I bet though that unlike Talking Pictures TV, the end credits will be partly squashed up and spoken over (if it's like what they did with theie first repeat run of Midnight Caller). I'll still watch the episode above you've posted about. Can pair it up with The Champions from TPTV (which airs on Wednesday nights, having been moved from Tuesday nights).

Am I imagining things, or are Forces TV also doing a repeat run of the series The Bounder (starring the late Peter Bowles)? I'm sure I saw a post on the channel's Facebook page recently about it. And it was one of the series the late Eric Chappell wrote (having checked his IMDb filmography).

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

I bet though that unlike Talking Pictures TV, the end credits will be partly squashed up and spoken over (if it's like what they did with theie first repeat run of Midnight Caller). I'll still watch the episode above you've posted about. Can pair it up with The Champions from TPTV (which airs on Wednesday nights, having been moved from Tuesday nights).

Am I imagining things, or are Forces TV also doing a repeat run of the series The Bounder (starring the late Peter Bowles)? I'm sure I saw a post on the channel's Facebook page recently about it. And it was one of the series the late Eric Chappell wrote (having checked his IMDb filmography).

The end credits were squashed on RotS last night but no talking over the theme.

The Bounder run starts on Sunday continuing into next week.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by cutback73

A reminder that Return of the Saint starts its rerun from tomorrow (Monday 25th), 4 nights a week.

This week includes an episode filmed entirely in Venice which should be showing on Wednesday night, which is Ian Ogilvy's favourite of those he filmed.

Got that episode of Return of the Saint set to record tonight (episode "Duel in Venice"). Watching it with tonight's episode of The Champions, "The Survivors". Have also seen Ian Ogilvy in a couple of episodes of Murder, She Wrote and some of Witchfinder General.

[OceanBlue]

You'd think Return of the Saint would be a shoe-in for a Blu-ray release by Network (like with The Champions, one series/season only). "Duel in Venice" was the first episode of the show I'd seen in full (I have a very vague memory of the bit in the title sequence when the lorry/truck passes under the bridge). They made good use of Venice, with plenty of different locations (not saying anything against Moonraker, as that's one of my favourite Bond films, but not as many locations were used in it compared to the Return of the Saint episode).

Ian Ogilvy does have a bit of a Roger Moore-vibe about him, and it's a pity the show didn't last beyond the one series/season.

Love the theme tune, and I was happy seeing what I assume were the original ad-bumpers.

Only recognised one guest-star, Maurice Colbourne, who several years later would star in drama series Howards' Way.

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

You'd think Return of the Saint would be a shoe-in for a Blu-ray release by Network (like with The Champions, one series/season only). "Duel in Venice" was the first episode of the show I'd seen in full (I have a very vague memory of the bit in the title sequence when the lorry/truck passes under the bridge). They made good use of Venice, with plenty of different locations (not saying anything against Moonraker, as that's one of my favourite Bond films, but not as many locations were used in it compared to the Return of the Saint episode).

Ian Ogilvy does have a bit of a Roger Moore-vibe about him, and it's a pity the show didn't last beyond the one series/season.

Love the theme tune, and I was happy seeing what I assume were the original ad-bumpers.

Only recognised one guest-star, Maurice Colbourne, who several years later would star in drama series Howards' Way.

I have the dvd set released in 2008. The original ad bumpers were on the set as an extra. There was no obvious remastering for the set (it looks like the same copies as used for this broadcast) as the episodes are clearly not in HD.

Incidentally the dvd extras also includes the raw footage for the opening title segments without the stick figure. It's kind of amusing seeing a number of takes of the jump into the water which actually show the people at the back of the boat throwing a rock or something to cause the splash. When I was young I was amazed at the titles with the stick figure thinking they had amazing effects that must have taken a long time to make. All my childhood has been spoiled by raw footage now. It's like when you see that clip of the late great David Prowse talking to Carrie Fisher without the voiceover on YouTube... *shudders* haha.

I think with many of these ITC shows, Network have previously suggested that they are not viable financially for Blu Ray releases unless ITV assists with funding.

I wonder whether the viewing figures for the broadcasts of this (and The Champions broadcasts on ITV4/TPTV) might get looked at by ITV when Network next comes to them to talk about future releases. Especially if the original negatives are held somewhere.

[OceanBlue]

Forces TV posted on their Facebook page a couple of days ago that from Tuesday 10th May they'll be showing another Eric Chappell-scripted series, Haggard.