Politics, Scheduling and Selling 1988–92: ‘The Grade Years’

Abstract

Strictly, the period during which Michael Grade was in charge at Channel 4 extended for a further four years beyond the purview of this volume, since its brief only extends to the coverage of events in independent television up to the start of 1993. However, it was during his first four years that the channel saw the greatest time of threat to its independence and this was also the period during which Grade had the greatest impact on the channel’s programmes and scheduling.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

[Versions variously attributed to St John, Sir Walter Scott, William Yancey (US) — and numberless sportswriters]