1960
Channel Islands Communications (Television) Limited was named Programme Contractors for the Channel Islands. Chairman — Senator George Troy. Founder members include: Harold Fielding, Arthur Harrison, managing editor of the Jersey Evening Post, Gervaise Peek, managing director of the Guernsey Evening Press, Senator Wilfred Krichefski, Mr Bertram Bartlett, Mr C. Forbes Cockell, Sir Reginald Biddle, Mr W. N. Rumboll, Mr I. McCormick, and Advocate K. Hooper Valpy.
1961
Britain’s Television Act was extended to the Channel Islands. Mr K. A. Killip was appointed General Manager, Mr Michael Parkin, Sales Controller, the trading name of Channel Television was registered and a site on the corner of Val Plaisant and Rouge Bouillon in St Helier was acquired. The only trouble was that the States of Alderney rejected the proposal to erect the necessary 100ft high television mast. However, in September they changed their minds.
1962
Channel’s London office was now at 195 Knightsbridge. The Channel Viewer was announced, price 5d, edited by Mr (now Jurat) Herbert Machon. Thousands of TV aerials were flown in to cope with the demand. In March the mast at Fremont Point was complete, Edwin Baker became Company Secretary and Chief Accountant, Brian Turner — Operations Manager, Ward Rutherford — editor of News and Features. In August the share issue was heavily oversubscribed and test transmissions surpassed hopes. June Allez and Francis Hamon were appointed the station’s first announcers and on September 1, Channel Television was ‘on air’. The opening ceremony was performed by the Lt Governor of Jersey, General Sir George Erskine in the presence of Sir John Carmichael, Deputy Chairman of the ITA, Mr R. H. Le Masurier, Bailiff of Jersey, Mr W. H. Arnold, Bailiff of Guernsey, and Sir Robert Frazer, Director General of the ITA. It has to be admitted that certain teething troubles’ were experienced. The first programme on our screens was The Adventures of Robin Hood followed by the local news and then Holiday Town Parade. In October Channel’s first admag, Gilding The Lily, was transmitted live from the studios with £100,000 worth of jewellery. Telstar was launched to provide live pictures from the USA. Britain and France agreed to build Concorde. The death occured of Mr George Troy. He was succeeded as chairman by Senator Wilfred Krichefski. Among the local programmes our new chairman could have seen were Island Farmer, Meet Channel and Studio Wednesday. National programmes included University Challenge, 77 Sunset Strip, Emergency Ward 10, and The Saint.
1963
This year saw the debut of the station’s biggest star, Oscar Grosnez Corbiere Claude Puffin, and the start of Britain’s first ever adult education programmes. President Kennedy’s funeral was seen as it happened on British television via the Early Bird satellite. Channel Television devoted five programmes to the visit of the Queen Mother and also produced Studio Tuesday, Studio Friday, The Church In View, Island Farmer, Serenade, Island Forum and the documentary The Lonely Man. Mr Ron Blundell became Sales Controller and Mr Phill Mottram Brown, Jersey Sales Executive. Chelsea At Nine, Bootsie and Snudge, Crane, The Plane Makers and World in Action were among the network programmes.
1964
The Lonely Man commended at the International Television Festival at Berlin. During the Festival, Channel’s George Marshman and Brian Le Feuvre were arrested by East German police. The police disapproved of them filming 'military objects'. They were released. Brian Le Feuvre became Head of News and Features. Among his productions that year — Channel Newsweek and Sports Roundup. Channel Television stayed on air whilst the network succumbed to a technicians’ strike. Among the national programmes transmitted when the strike wasn’t on were Tempo, Five O’Clock Club, No Hiding Place, Stars and Garters, Candid Camera, Ready Steady Go, On the Braden Beat.
1965
Karen Cornish became the first Miss Channel Television, then Miss ITV, and then Hughie Green’s ‘Hostess with the Mostest’. With enormous prescience, viewers in the Channel Islands vote as CTV’s Sports Personality of the Year, 18-year-old Colin Campbell (later to run in the Olympic Games). Runner up was 16-year-old Denise Le Pennec (later to swim the Channel). Mr Ken Killip was appointed Managing Director and 51% of Channel’s shares were bought by the Associated British Picture Corporation. Cigarette advertising was banned and the financial blow almost crippled the company as Channel viewers watched Redcap, The Power Game, Public Eye, Criss Cross Quiz, Take Your Pick, and The Human Jungle. Local productions included Preview, Now! Look! Hear!, Take It Easy, Go-Catting, Gourmet, and Island Farmer.
1966
A proposal that television cameras be allowed in the House of Commons was defeated by one vote whilst in the islands John Rothwell (now Senator) and Roger Bowns joined Channel. Double Your Money was presented from Moscow. We dropped British election programmes and showed The Cruel Sea instead. Programmes? National:— Frost Programme, Weavers Green, Orlando, The Worker, Man From Uncle, Cinema, Thunderbirds, Mrs Thursday. Local:— About Ourselves, Frankly Speaking, Gardening Forum, Midweek, Les Petits Chanteurs.
1967
Channel Television liaised with Crossroads to tell seasonal workers not to come to the Channel Islands before May. News At Ten began. Guernsey offices moved to Market Square. In Coronation Street Elsie Tanner married Steve Tanner. Lottery draws took place live from the Jersey Studios. Local productions included:— Bob Brookes, France Panorama, People and Places and on the network:— The Golden Shot, Take Your Pick, At Last The 1948 Show, Callan, Mr Rose, The Prisoner.
1968
Channel networked a local programme — a religious documentary, Mrs Worthington's Daughter. Another local programme of that year was Mainly Live.
Four new TV stations took to the air:— Yorkshire TV, London Weekend, Thames TV, and Harlech TV. Russian tanks invaded Czechoslovakia. TV cameras showed them to the world. Associated British Picture Corporation sold its 51% shareholding back into local hands. CTV carried on broadcasting despite a technicians’ dispute and on Channel a series of five live commercials produced 500 serious enquiries in the first three days. National programmes included: All Our Yesterdays, Virgin of the Secret Service, Nearest and Dearest and Father Dear Father.
1969
A 15-hour programme on ITV celebrated Man landing on the Moon. ITV went colour with the exception of Channel. The death occured of Ron Blundell, Sales Controller. A link with Westward Television was planned. Twenty six episodes of Gourmet sold to Swiss TV. Other local programmes included Lookaround, Police File, Channel Report, whilst from the network we could see Special Branch, Curry and Chips, The Pursuers, Dads Army, The Dustbinmen, On the Buses, Hadleigh. John Rothwell became Head of News and Features and Betty Henwood an announcer.
1970
As Apollo 13 blasted its way towards the moon a serious explosion took place on board. Alastair Burnett (now knighted) fronted a programme until 4.00am when the astronauts were out of danger. Channel produced The Bitter Years, a 45 minute documentary on the 25th anniversary of the Liberation. It was given a partial network showing and a copy was requested by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Other Channel productions included:— What's on Where presented by Dereck Carter (now Deputy), The Jersey Knockout Quiz, Report At Seven. The link with Westward Television began and Sir Robert Frazer, Director General of the IBA and chief architect of the ITV system, retired. From the network we saw:— Catweazle, The Lovers, Aquarius, The Simon Dee Show, Family At War and International Detective.
1971
Senator Wilfred Krichefski resigned as Channel Television’s Chairman. His place was taken by Conseiller Edward Collas. The cast of Crossroads visited Jersey, greeted by masses of fans at the airport. The Bitter Years was sold to Australian TV and we relayed Geoffrey Rippon’s EEC address to the States of Guernsey. Channel Promotions was formed. The Guernsey/Jersey microwave link went into operation. National programmes included Budgie, Mine, Upstairs Downstairs, The Comedians, A Man Called Ironside, Overseas Press Club.
1972
The ITA became the IBA with the arrival of Independent Local Radio. Our production Hush, Hush, Whisper Who Dares was given network showing and IBA banned private investigators from advertising on television. Channel began lunchtime bulletins and also produced the Knockout Quiz, The Lotteries, Report At Seven. On the network we watched Randall and Hopkirk, Jason King, Van der Valk, Sale of the Century, Love Thy Neighbour.
1973
The creation of Oracle was announced. It stands for ‘Optional Reception of Announcements by Coded Line Electronics’. The Cod War errupted and was widely covered with news cameramen on board the naval force. Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips got married and gave television interviews two days before the event. National programmes — World At War, Shabby Tiger, Beryl's Lot, The Russell Harty Show, Sam. The fuel crisis — TV was closed down at 10.30pm. Another blow to Channel Television’s finances.
1974
The crisis continued. Channel’s staff were warned of possible staff cuts. Turkish troops parachuted into Cyprus. ITN’s crew were there. Michael Nicholson interviewed paratroopers as they landed. The House of Commons was again barred to TV cameras — by 25 votes this time. Locally we watched Report at Six, Speak Out, and Link Up among others; nationally, My Old Man, Thick as Thieves, Father Brown, Rising Damp, Moody and Pegg.
1975
This was the year that saw the formation of Channel Rentals, now a successful part of the group. Experimental advertising also began in London on Oracle and figures revealed that in real terms the cost of television advertising had declined by 24% during the preceding ten years! What were people watching? Local productions included Speak Out, Report At Six, and Actualitiés. And among national programmes were Johnny Go Home, Celebrity Squares, The Sweeney, The Naked Civil Servant, and Space: 1999. Lady Lowden was now Chairman of the IBA.
1976
... and she paid a formal visit to the Channel Islands. Concorde entered regular service and colour came to the Channel Islands where viewers watched Yus My Dear, Luke's Kingdom, Clayhanger, Rock Follies, Hello Cheeky, and A Bouquet of Barbed Wire. The 146ft high IBA aerial was erected in the Castel in Guernsey. Brian Young, Director General of the IBA was knighted.
1977
Prince Charles made his television debut on all channels. In Coronation Street Len Fairclough married Rita, and Oracle was demonstrated in Jersey. John Henwood was appointed Head of News and Features. Stock Exchange firms were now permitted to advertise as were public lotteries. Channel began a late news bulletin among other programmes, Mainly Live, Police File, and the Lunchtime News. From the network we saw Moses — The Lawgiver, The Professionals, The Dame of Sark, Love for Lydia, Robins Nest and Devenish. But above all — Channel Television’s local programmes went colour.
1978
Now Channel Television had brand new colour cameras in their studio, what to do with the old ones? What else to do with museum pieces but to present them to the museums of Jersey and Guernsey. Our film of the saving of the Orion oil rig was sold to stations in the USA and used by RNLI to raise funds. Morecambe and Wise returned to ITV and while we waited for their first show we saw Edward and Mrs Simpson, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, An Audience with Jasper Carrott, 3—2—1, Hazel, Rumpole of the Bailey, Enemy At The Door.
1979
Danger UXB, Flambards, Minder, The Mallens, Agony, The Racing Game, Dick Barton, Tales of the Unexpected were among the programmes we watched except when television technicians went on strike. They stayed out for eleven weeks but Channel stayed on air despite fog delaying the arrival of vital cans of film. Channel went over to ENG — Electronic News Gathering equipment —and said goodbye to film. We were the first European television station to convert to new technology. The IBA opened its 500th transmitter — in Yorkshire. National Oracle moved to a seven days a week service and the British government said that Channel 4 would be introduced under the control of the IBA. At public meetings in Jersey and Guernsey held by the IBA, Channel Television won plaudits from the audiences.
1980
Millions watched the SAS dramatically end the siege of the Iranian Embassy. Millions more watched the 2000th episode of Coronation Street and also the Gentle Touch, Hollywood, Play Your Cards Right, Family Fortunes, Cribb, Why Didn 't They Ask Evans. Crossroads was cut back from four days a week to three. Michael Le Cocq was appointed Head of Sales at Channel. The possibility of a nationwide breakfast time service was announced and there were no rival applications for the Channel Islands’ franchise. Locally we produced Puffin's Pla(i)ce, Good News, Visages de France, A Chance to Meet..., Talk Back, Ladies First, One Man's Music, Questions Sans Frontieres and Music for Advent.
1981
The Chairman of the IBA was now Lord Thomson of Monifieth and we saw the start of the local Oracle service. Channel Four began to take shape and Jeremy Isaacs was appointed Chief Executive. At last ITV and BBC got together to provide joint audience research figures. At the end of the year Southern and Westward lost their franchises and were replaced by TVS and TSW respectively. TV-am was awarded the breakfast time contract. Pop Gospel, Search for A Star, Looks Familiar, The Other 'Arf, Nobody 's Perfect were programme offerings from the network whilst locally we brought Brown Study, All That Jazz, Encore, Les Trois Cloches, Liberation, Jack Duff and Friends, and Music For Christmas to Channel Islands screens.
1982
Channel Rentals made a successful bid for the long established firm of Regent Radio and other media seemed excited about our taking commercials for the launch of BBC local radio. Lord Thomson visited the Channel Islands. Among our local programmes we saw The Duke's Map, A Taste of Hong Kong, and The Battle of Jersey whilst the network provided us with Brideshead Revisited, Airline, The Sweeney, Sapphire and Steel, Cowboys, Only When I Laugh.
1983
Channel’s twenty first anniversary. TV-am opens — then four of the famous five depart. The death occurred of Channel TV’s Operations Manager, Brian Turner, who had been with CTV since its opening. John Henwood was appointed Programme Controller and Andrew Hearne Head of Technical Services. Channel’s first fully networked documentary — Too Good A Chance To Miss. New studios were opened in Guernsey at St George’s Esplanade. Locally we produced Herm — One Man's Island, The Great Race, The Time Capsule. From the network came:— Give Us A Clue, The Gaffer, The Bounder, The Jewel In The Crown, The Gentle Touch.
1984
Channel Television began negotiations to link with TVS. They would sell national advertising on our behalf and provide us with the network programming. Channel’s share capital was increased to one million pounds. Our programme From Cow To Counter won a silver medal at New York’s International Film and Television Festival. We built the world’s first ENG underwater unit specially to use in videoing the recovery of Guernsey’s Roman shipwreck. Local productions included Tastes of China, Durrell and the Dodo, Heritage '84, In Camera, Life with a Capital Sea.
1985
The formation of SuperChannel was announced and there were a number of firsts by Channel:— our first pop video, our first Highway programme, the first regional ITV company to have a computerized newsroom. The Channel Islands are the most up-market region in Britain — said a TVS survey; but we knew it all the time, didn’t we? Our local productions kept coming. Like Report Youth, The Islands, Occupation Nestegg, One Week in May.
1986
A Channel team went to the Falklands for Highway and other programmes and the crew also won the Harry Secombe Spirit of Highway Award for best production. Making Pye was sold to Channel 4. Channel sent Brian Le Lion’s tape of Jambo around the world. Local programmes included The Christmas Tree Men, Jambo — The Gentle Giant, The Sark Water Carnival. It was announced that John Henwood would take over as Managing Director on Ken Killip’s retirement. Euan MacGregor was appointed Group Financial Director and Rosemary Mathew Company Secretary. Creative Channel was formed and went into immediate production. Channel ventured into publishing. And then suddenly...
1987
...we were 25 years old. We announced plans for new studio facilities in Jersey, made our first network series, The Dodo Club, and paid an interim dividend. John Henwood appointed Managing Director. We made Jersey 2000, Announcing the Arrival, The Barnstormers, Timothy de Quetteville. We also watched The Jimmy Young Programme, Kate and Allie, Brookside and Bulman.
The Channel Archive [Twitter] [Facebook] brings us up to 1999 with this additional timeline…
1988
Channel Television in Jersey moves from its first home in Rouge Bouillon to new studios at La Pouquelaye. Telethon, ITV's charity fund raising 27 hours of non stop programming hit Channel Islands screens after months of planning. Bergerac star John Nettles helped Gordon de Ste Croix and Peter Rouse present our sections of the programme. Telethon fever swept the islands as fund raising events ranged from Guernsey politicians organising and serving at a children's party, the Jersey Evening Post arranged a prison escape - from the confines of their own offices, in Alderney a present day Lady Godiva caused quite a stir as she rode bareback through the cobbled streets of St. Anne while in Sark, horses were rested when men took their place between the shafts and pulled carriages along the island lanes. More than £170,000 was raised.
1989
HM The Queen and Prince Philip visit the Channel Islands. Channel Television co-produce with ITN the story of the visit. The Queen in the Channel Islands is networked across ITV. The final series of The Dodo Club based at Jersey Zoo is broadcast on Children's ITV. Also networked, featuring Sir Harry Secombe, is Channel Television's edition of Highway from the island of Malta.
1990
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) the new regulator of Independent Television confirm the Channel Islands will remain a separate licence area when new licences are awarded with effect from 1 January 1993. A consortium headed by Senators Dick Shenton and John Rothwell, former Head of News and Features, who had declared themselves contenders for the Channel Islands' Channel 3 licence withdraw. They blame Jersey's Zero Job growth policy and increased competition from satellite broadcasters for their decision.
1991
CI3 a consortium including a number of former Channel Television employees bids against Channel Television for the new 1993 licence claiming Channel doesn't provide the islands with the service they deserve. CI3 massively outbid Channel Television (£102,000 per annum to Channel's £1,000 per annum) but Channel win - CI3 don't pass the quality threshold. Senior cameraman Kevin Banner is recognised by the Guild of TV Cameramen with the Certificate of Merit - presented in a special ceremony in Cardiff Castle.
1992
The third ITV Telethon ('88, '90 and '92) brings the total amount distributed to Channel Islands' charities as a result of Telethon to more than £560,000. All the money raised locally stayed within the islands. On each occasion the Channel Television region raised more per head of population than any other ITV region through the whole of Great Britain. Channel Television becomes the first Channel Islands' company to win a National Training Award - for multi-skilling its technical staff. The company also won one of three special awards, the Daily Mail award for small businesses.
1993
Channel Television begins a new ten year licence and is judged by the regulator to demonstrate "a strong performance" with a regional service which was of "high quality overall". For the first time, Channel Television produces early morning news bulletins into GMTV's service every weekday and headlines each evening at 7. Nine Channel Islands' news programmes are now broadcast throughout the day starting at 6.15 in the morning, with the last bulletin after News at Ten. Guernsey reporter and Telethon presenter Peter Rouse dies of leukemia.
1994
Channel Television's documentary Murder in the Family is played across the whole of ITV in the prestigious Network First slot and attracts more than 5.6 million viewers. Murder in the Family traced the real life story of Nicholas and Elizabeth Newall who disappeared from their St. Brelade home in Jersey in 1987. Seven years later their son Roderick pleaded guilty to murdering his parents and his brother Mark to aiding and abetting him after the event. Murder in the Family achieved the second highest rating for a Network First documentary.
1995
Channel Television provides more than 4.5 hours of extra programming relating to the celebrations (including the visit of the Prince of Wales) surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the Channel Islands from German Occupation. In December Channel Television marks the 50th anniversary of the return home of islanders to Alderney. On the death of the founder of Jersey Zoo Gerald Durrell, both ITV Network and Channel 4 played Channel Television programming to celebrate the achievements of Durrell's life.
1996
Channel is commissioned to produce its first drama series Island a six part "soap" for Childrens ITV. Filmed on location in Jersey during the Summer, with a top writing team, well drawn characters, quality acting and high production values, the series was a success, attracting up to 2.5 million viewers per episode. A second series was commissioned and produced in 1997. The States of Jersey and the States of Guernsey join forces with Channel Television to provide a local programmes subtitling service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Channel Report, Channel Late News and one-off documentaries are all subtitled in an agreement which provides for an average of at least two and a half hours of subtitled local programmes every week.
1997
Guernsey's Bailiff Sir Graham Dorey opens Channel Television's new Guernsey headquarters . The studios in Bulwer Avenue are besieged by islanders invited to see over the new purpose designed facility. Channel Television undergoes a complete restructuring, Michael Lucas is appointed managing director. Karen Rankine is the new Head of Programmes. Channel Report presenter Paul Brown dies suddenly. Paul had worked for Channel Television in a variety of key positions both in-front and behind camera for 27 years.
1998
Chairman of Channel Television Major John Riley dies. Major Riley had been chairman for 15 years. Guernsey based businessman Mr Tom Scott is the new chairman. Channel Television broadcasts its first regional drama from an independent company. The Darkening, a one hour programme set during the German Occupation of the Channel Islands, is produced by Ascension Films a group of young Guernsey film makers.
1999
Channel Television promotes the Channel News Hours between 6 and 7 p.m. each weekday. As ITV move their national news to 6.30 p.m. the Channel News Hour contains national, international and regional news. Viewers like it and audience share soars. Channel Television marks the end of the Millennium with Century Snapshots - 100 programmes, each one minute long, capturing events which happened in the Channel Islands on each year of the century. Much of the footage from private collections and archives was seen for the first time on television.
