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?

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by cutback73

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?

Had in my head this was the first time TPTV had shown The Champions (I stand corrected ). But it's the first time they've shown any episodes of The Saint (both from the black and white, and colour series)?

This is a vague memory from a few weeks ago, but I remember seeing on Facebook a post about the series Public Eye. Apparently there was some Christmas episode, but I can't recall if this was included in Network's DVD set of the surviving episodes.

Many thanks for your thorough explanation about why some ITC shows only lasted one series/season. That makes a lot of sense. Like with the Warner Archive Collection, I'm hoping that in the second half of this year, Network will be prolific with their physical media releases of older TV series.

When I used to still listen to radio, occasionly I would listen to a late Sunday afternoon/early evening show (it was on in a two-hour timeslot) presented by David Jensen, where each hour was about a specific chart in a certain decade. You could well be right and The Heritage Show will be something like Top of the Pops.

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Had in my head this was the first time TPTV had shown The Champions (I stand corrected ). But it's the first time they've shown any episodes of The Saint (both from the black and white, and colour series)?

This is a vague memory from a few weeks ago, but I remember seeing on Facebook a post about the series Public Eye. Apparently there was some Christmas episode, but I can't recall if this was included in Network's DVD set of the surviving episodes.

Many thanks for your thorough explanation about why some ITC shows only lasted one series/season. That makes a lot of sense. Like with the Warner Archive Collection, I'm hoping that in the second half of this year, Network will be prolific with their physical media releases of older TV series.

When I used to still listen to radio, occasionly I would listen to a late Sunday afternoon/early evening show (it was on in a two-hour timeslot) presented by David Jensen, where each hour was about a specific chart in a certain decade. You could well be right and The Heritage Show will be something like Top of the Pops.

The Champions was shown once before, last year, in the 9pm slot on Sunday. Before they started the run of Secret Army.

And yes they've never shown The Saint before, black and white or colour. Because ITV4 only show the colour episodes, the black and white episodes haven't been shown on any British tv for many years (not sure how long precisely).

Arguably, in terms of their target market, they now have their strongest Sunday night prime time line up, with Footage Detectives then The Saint then Secret Army.

Public Eye is one of their shows that is repeated annually approx. And seems to be popular when shown. It's a reasonable show, clearly dated but many times entertaining. Alfred Burke's character is not your usual hero lead, more of a realist. And not much one for female company. Almost the opposite of The Saint in some ways. But the portrayal is very good, even in a poor episode, he makes it interesting to watch.

[OceanBlue]

Enjoyed yesterday afternoon's new edition of The Footage Detectives.

Lets hope the Nettlefold Studios building can be kept. And it's a shame they haven't yet found any of the missing footage from those three No Hiding Place episodes. Has a book been written about the Rediffusion shows?

[OceanBlue]

Watched the first episode of The Champions last night (called "The Beginning"). One of the guest stars I recognised from Diamonds Are Forever (Joseph Furst, who played Dr. Karl Metz in Diamonds). The story kept my interest and it was a very good start to the series.

I do hope this ITC series gets the Blu-ray treatment from Network. Like with how they released Man in a Suitcase, they could put five episodes in each volume, followed by a final volume with an option to purchase either a standard or limited edition with some or or all of the extras ported over from the Complete Series Collector's Edition DVD set.

[OceanBlue]

Didn't know about this until earlier today, when reading some of the 'i' newspaper. As Talking Pictures TV show many horror films (including I'm sure some Hammer horror films as part of the Cellar Club on Friday nights), thought it was fitting to post about it in this thread. The Obituary section in the 'i' newspaper today was about actress Veronica Carlson, who passed away recently.

[OceanBlue]

Another very good, entertaining edition of The Footage Detectives yesterday. I forgot to post about one of the recent segments on the show, the interesting look at a film processing laboratory. There was one bit during yesterday's edition which had me in stitches, but I've forgot what it was about.

Have set up to record The Heritage Chart Show and The Saint for next Sunday.