Talking Pictures TV

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Checked earlier, the Sky TV listings for Talking Pictures TV next Monday to Wednesday, and yes, The Champions is indeed being shown from the beginning next week (starting at 11.05 pm). Have set the first episode to record.

Considering there was only one series of it, and from the clips I've seen it was shot on film, you'd think this was a shoe-in for a Blu-ray release by Network. And something I've been curious about for a long time, why did a few ITC series only last one series?

From what I've read elsewhere, I think Network were supposed to be continuing with their partial release blu rays in multiple volumes (similar to the Man In A Suitcase release) as that seemed to be the only way they were profitable, unless ITV paid towards remastering. Basically volume 1 proceeds paid for the work on volume 2 etc. However, even that method seems to have ground to a halt. Although I think the Covid situation caused this primarily as it's not seemingly the sort of thing you can do at home.

As for shows only having one series - that I know with more certainty. Basically, shows only got renewed if they were successful overseas (especially the US). That's because they were given high budgets (for the time) targeting overseas sales and were usually sold in advance helping to finance production costs. That's also why they were in colour early, as soon as the US networks moved to colour in 1966/67. Even if a show was popular in the UK (such as Randall and Hopkirk) if it didnt do well in the US, and the US didnt order a second series, it didnt get made as the finance model then didnt work out.

I saw a few episodes of The Champions on their last run on TPTV and they seemed to be reasonable quality broadcasts. Presumably the HD remasters that were done for the DVD release.

As for The Saint, I have the full series on dvd, but only got part way through. So I have a good excuse to pick it back up now (other than not enough time to watch it due to other tv and dvds to get through!).

I wonder if the Heritage Chart Show is going to be like Top of the Pops but for a particular week in history each week. And why is it on so late - seems a little odd to me?