Channel 4 1982-2004
Channel 4 was launched on November 2nd 1982, over 20 years after the launch of the first independent television station and intended to show programming with an alternative remit, commissioned from other production companies. Initially the channel was funded by advertising sold by the same ITV regions, thus the ability to play out regional content was technically possible (albeit little used outside of advertising), however this all changed in 1993 when Channel 4 gained full independence to sell their own advertising, adopting a cut down set of macro regions for adverts instead. Initially not covering Wales, they have broadcast to all of the UK since the introduction of digital services. During the analogue days, Wales was covered by a by a special version of S4C Analogue instead, which included a mix of programmes timeshifted from Channel 4 mixed in with the station's own Welsh languages shows. In more recent years Channel 4 have also diversified to launch various channels on digital such as E4, More4 and Film4, spun out from their early investment into indie film production.
Channel 4 - 1983
Designed by Martin Lambie Nairn, the famous initial launch identity for the station consisted of coloured blocks joining together in various ways to form the 4 logo, using cutting edge computer technology for 1982 all set to cuts of an extended orchestral piece of music known as 'Fourscore'. This package was to last right through until 1996, albeit with an audio remix in the early 90s. A static slide features here, followed by an ident to lead into an early junction on Channel 4 from within their first year in Summer 1983. A slight vertical shift can be seen on the start and end of the ident - a minor flaw which was corrected in later years.
Channel 4 (Next) - 1989
Channel 4 (Birthday Promo) - 1983
Channel 4 - WorldWise 1986
Channel 4 (Closedown) - 1987
Channel 4 (Nightime) - 1987
A year before overnight services would begin on ITV, the network was experimenting with late programming on Channel 4. For several days of the week a service branded up as 'Nightime' would play out on the channel with a mix of mostly cheaper shows. Between programmes, in lieu of continuity announcers, branded graphical slides were used instead containing the details on what would be coming up next. With a somewhat tedious and repetitive piece of off-the-shelf music constantly played out in the background.
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1988
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1988
Further elements of the painted art Channel 4 promo style from Summer 1988 feature here, as well as a namecheck for ITV promoting a season of shows across both ITV and Channel 4 from filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Despite the vocal mention of ITV, the promo itself focuses solely on the Channel 4 side of things.
Channel 4 - 1988
Channel 4 (Programme Info Slide) - 1988
Channel 4 Closedown 1989
4-Tel Advert 1989
Channel 4 (American Football) - 1989
Continuity over a static slide from Channel 4, before launching into a special version of the ident for American Football showings. Although the Fourscore notes still plays, it does so over a completely static rendering of the blocks shaped as a player. Some simple breath added at the very end provides the only limited animation.
Channel 4 (BBC1 Slide) - 1989
The somewhat unusual mashup of Channel 4 airing a slide to promote a BBC1 show, before moving onto their own slides. The reason for this was as part of a season of LGBT programming on Channel 4 aired in late slots in February 1989. Known as 'Out On Tuesday', this particular episode was going to be followed up with discussions from the producers as part of the BBC's Open Air programme the following morning. Channel 4's own branded slides still follow a similar style as the rest of the 80s, albeit now looking a little more cleaner as technology has advanced.
Channel 4 - 1989
Channel 4 - 1990
Channel 4 (Cinema From 3 Continents) - 1990
Channel 4 (Weather) - 1990
Channel 4 (Next) - 1990
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 (Brookside Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1990
Channel 4 - 1991
An alternative string section of the Fourscore track used over the blocks ident here - with the audio actually starting before the preceding trailer has faded out. Additionally featuring the Stereo legend, which was commonly highlighted onscreen by all broadcasters in the early years of NICAM broadcasting.
Channel 4 - 1991
Channel 4 Closedown 1991
Channel 4 Closedown - Xmas 1991
Channel 4 (Apology) - 1992
Channel 4 finish a 1992 repeat of a concert programme produced by Tyne Tees Television years earlier as a tribute to Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury who had died late in 1991. Immediately following the production slide, Channel 4 continuity pops up over a still to apologise for incorrectly stating the date of his death at the start of the programme. Though we don't have the start of this, it has been confirmed by others this was in continuity preceding the programme.
Channel 4 - Fourmations - 1993
Channel 4 - Christmas 1993
Channel 4 (Sting - Car) - 1994
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1994
Channel 4 - 1994
Channel 4 - 1994
Channel 4 - 1994
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1994
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1994
Channel 4 (Late Licence - IVC) - 1994
Late night programming on Channel 4 for select days in the early 90s came courtesy of a branded segment called Late Licence, featuring in-vision links provided by various comic duos over the years. Here Phill Jupitus and (presumably) Billy Bragg present an invision link, where Phill sings a somewhat questionable adult-themed song, before leading into the next show for the night.
Channel 4 (Late Licence - IVC) - 1994
Channel 4 (Late Licence - IVC) - 1994
Channel 4 (Late Licence - IVC) - 1994
Channel 4 (Late Licence - IVC) - 1994
Channel 4 (Late Licence - IVC) - 1994
Channel 4 Closedown - 1995
Channel 4 (Elvis 4 Ever) - 1995
At the start of January 1995, Channel 4 ran a special marathon of Elvis Presley movies, linked under the branding 'Elvis 4 Ever'. Johnny Vaughan, famous at the time for his role in 4's Moviewatch programme, provided short invision links, before a series of simple animations were included for the regular continuity announcer to speak over.
Channel 4 (Elvis 4 Ever) - 1995
Channel 4 (Eurotrash Sting) - 1996
In the latter years of the coloured blocks, a series of stings featuring Channel 4 personalities interacting in some way with the 4 were introduced. Normally aired between trailers or leading into breaks, they were occasionally used in lieu of an ident into a show instead. In this case, a special Eurotrash themed version, featuring host Antoine de Caunes.
Channel 4 (Clive Anderson Sting) - 1995
Channel 4 (Sting) - 1995
Channel 4 (Rory Bremner Sting) - 1995
Channel 4 (Johnny Vaughan Sting) - 1995
Channel 4 (Soap Weekend Promo) - 1995
For the first weekend of December 1995, Channel 4 devoted their airtime to 'Soap Weekend'. A marathon celebration of all things from the world of soaps, with soaps from other channels popping up, as well as themed specials of other shows to mark the occasion. A trailer for the weekend here from the day before it was all due to start.
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1995
Channel 4 - 1995
Channel 4 (Promo) - Christmas 1995
Channel 4 (Next) - 1995
Channel 4 (Next) - 1995
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1995
Channel 4 (Promo) - 1996
Channel 4 (Next) - 1996
Channel 4's next slide style from 1996, now featuring the same 'lines' animation as the break bumpers of that era. As this point continuity would still regularly make reference to shows coming up on ITV too, despite the two stations having been independent of each other for 3 years, as part of a settlement put in place after the spinning off of the channel.
