Programmes, Reactions and Progress 1982–87: ‘The Isaacs Years’

Abstract

This chapter is primarily about programmes — the programmes that put flesh on the skeleton of ‘The Remit’ laid down in the Broadcasting Act 1980 and the IBA’s Policy Statement. These first programmes are the ones that determined the public’s perception of the channel for which the nation had waited for the 22 years since the Pilkington Report. In doing so they also determined, to an extent, the public’s expectation of what the channel would offer them subsequently. In that sense these programmes served to create the character of the Channel Four of the future as well as that of their own time.

My centre is giving way, my right is in retreat, situation excellent. I am attacking.

[Marshal Ferdinand Foch, message sent during the first battle of the Marne, September 1914 — one of Jeremy Isaacs’ favourite quotations during the first year Channel Four was on the air]