Whats this Channel4 ?

Origins of C4

1955
The BBC monopoly of broadcasting is broken by the creation of ITV.

1962
The Pilkington Report considers the creation of a second ITV channel but decides on a second BBC service first (BBC2).

1963
The Conservative Government comes under pressure to create 'ITV2' within two years. The Independent Television Authority proposes that ITV2 be set up with programmes produced by the existing ITV companies, rather than allow programmes to be made by independent production companies.

"There are dangers of amateurishness in production and difficulties in incorporating such programmes in a national television service without sacrificing impartiality and editorial control."

1971
A 'TV4 Campaign' group is set up in November. The group lobbies for a role for independent production.

1972
The Director of The British Film Institute, Anthony Smith, sets out his ideas for a National Television Foundation, a 'publishing house of the air,' buying in programmes from independent programme makers.

1973
David Elstein and John Birt propose that the new channel should be editorially independent of the ITV, but that the Independent Broadcasting Authority, the IBA, should finance it with a levy on ITV advertising.

1974
Lord Annan is invited to set up a committee. The committtee includes Labour MP Phillip Whitehead, who is active in the TV4 campaign.

1977
The Annan Report argues the case for a 'third force' in British television to break the 'duopoly' control by the BBC and ITV. The suggested form is an Open Broadcasting Authority which would commission programmes from ITV and independent producers, who it sees as a force for diversity and new ideas. The Report also recognizes the need to cater for minority audiences.

"...we do not want more of the same. There are enough programmes for the majority...what is needed now is programmes for the different minorities which add up to make the majority."

Most of all, the channel will be be distinctive: "It should be the test bed for experiment and symbolise all the vitality, the new initiatives, practices and liberties which should inspire broadcasters."

A financial structure is also suggested. The IBA will finance the channel by imposing a levy on the ITV companies who will have the exclusive right to sell advertising time on the channel in their own areas. The channel itself will be a non-profit making organisation.

A new Channel 4 Group is set up, replacing the TV4 Campaign. It's main aim is to ensure cultural and political independence for the new channel.

1979
Jeremy Isaacs, speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival, calls for a channel "which caters for substantial minorities presently neglected, which builds into its actuality programmes a complete spectrum of political attitude and opinion."

In a speech to the Royal Television Society, Lord Whitelaw outlines plans for a fourth channel. He promises "new opportunities to creative people" and "new ways of finding minority and specialist audiences."

The Broadcasting Bill, based on the Annan Report, is ammended and establishes a separate 4th channel in Wales (S4C) and changes the name of the channel from ITV2 to Channel 4.

1980
The Broadcasting Act sets out the public service requirements of the new channel. It will be required to:

'include a suitable proportion of matter calculated to appeal to tastes and interests not generally catered for by ITV'

'include a suitable proportion of programmes of an educational nature'

'encourage innovation and experiment in the form and content of programmes.'

1982
Channel 4 goes on air for the first time at 4.45pm on Tuesday 2nd November.