2004 in British television

none March 2022 March 2022 2004 British television This is a list of British television related events from 2004. Events January 1 January – Emmerdale airs an hour long episode in which the village is hit by a storm, which includes Tricia Dingle, played by Sheree Murphy, being crushed by a falling chimney. 2 January – The BBC cancels the appearance of Coca-Cola sponsorship credits in the music charts in its BBC One Top of the Pops show, after criticism from politicians and health campaigners that it would be promoting junk food and unhealthy drink products to teenagers.Born Matt https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1450804/BBC-pulls-plug-on-Coca-Cola-in-charts.html BBC pulls plug on Coca-Cola in charts The Daily Telegraph 3 January 2004 2 June 2014 3 January – CD:UK broadcasts its first episode in 16:9 widescreen. 4 January – ITV introduces a sixth weekly episode of Emmerdale airing on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm. The episode is dropped in 2008 to allow for one-hour episodes on Tuesdays. Debut of the Channel 4 reality series Shattered in which ten contestants are challenged with going without sleep for seven days while their actions are constantly monitored. Over the seven days the ten housemates must undergo daily performance testing and a variety of challenges, while competing for a potential prize fund of £100,000, which is reduced by £1,000 every time a contestant closes their eyes for more than ten seconds. The series, and the remaining prize money of £97,000, is won by Clare Southern on 10 January.http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Shattered Shattered UKGameshows 11 July 2018 It is subsequently branded as "misconceived and dangerous" by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, although Channel 4 says that sleep experts were consulted when putting together the series and that care was taken with the selection of participants.Claire Cozens https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/jan/14/realitytv.channel4 Experts label C4 show 'harmful' The Guardian 14 January 2004 11 July 2018 5 January – BBC One introduces the "Massai" ident that features nine native Maasai tribesmen dancing in the centre. CITV introduces a first weekly episode of The Sleepover Club. Beat the Nation makes its debut on Channel 4 as a new daytime quiz show replacing Fifteen to One which ended last December, hosted by The Goodies duo Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden. 9 January – The BBC announces that the Kilroy talk show will be taken off air while the Corporation investigates negative comments its presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk made about Arabic people in the previous weekend's Sunday Express.https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a12976/bbc-takes-kilroy-off-air-after-anti-arab-rant/ BBC takes Kilroy off air after 'anti-Arab rant' Digital Spy 9 January 2004 8 June 2022 10 January – The first edition of ITV's new Saturday morning children's programme Ministry of Mayhem is broadcast on ITV (later CITV).https://www.womanmagazine.co.uk/woman-magazine/holly-willoughby-stephen-mulhern-almost-unrecognisable-ministry-mayhem-throwback-snap-82555 Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern 'almost unrecognisable' in Ministry of Mayhem throwback snap 11 October 2018 Woman Magazine en-US 2019-11-20 13 January – Acclaimed US medical drama Nip/Tuck makes its British television debut on Sky One, attracting an audience of 1 million. The series had been heavily publicised on terrestrial television prior to its broadcast.https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a13017/big-figures-for-niptuck-on-sky-one/ Big figures for 'Nip/Tuck' on Sky One Digital Spy 14 January 2004 8 June 2022 15 January – BBC Four begins a six-part adaptation of the Alan Clark Diaries, starring John Hurt and Jenny Agutter. The series concludes on 17 February, and is later repeated on BBC Two.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/cf2b36d22243409c842f9465eaa7c4cb https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070136/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/cf2b36d22243409c842f9465eaa7c4cb dead 23 November 2018 The Alan Clark Diaries – BBC Four 15 January 2004 BBC Genome 23 November 2018https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b238cd0159794e42802393d31a60d3ab https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070032/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b238cd0159794e42802393d31a60d3ab dead 23 November 2018 The Alan Clark Diaries – BBC Four – 19 February 2004 BBC Genome 23 November 2018https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/6fae197fb7b44ecb8da5538a287a54ee https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070529/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/6fae197fb7b44ecb8da5538a287a54ee dead 23 November 2018 The Alan Clark Diaries – BBC Two England 17 March 2004 BBC Genome 23 November 2018 16 January – Robert Kilroy-Silk resigns as a BBC One talk show host after 17 years following the controversy over comments he made about Arabs.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3404715.stm Kilroy quits as BBC presenter BBC News 16 January 2004 2 June 2014 21 January – CITV airs the premiere of the Japanese-American TV series based on the Sonic the Hedgehog game series, Sonic X. 25 January – The fourth and final series of The Story Makers premieres on CBeebies. 28 January – The Hutton Inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Dr. David Kelly is published. This is taken by most of the press to strongly condemn the BBC's handling of the David Kelly affair and to exonerate the government. The Director-General of the BBC, Greg Dyke, chairman of the Board of Governors, Gavyn Davies, and the journalist at the centre of the controversy, Andrew Gilligan, resign. The UK media in general condemns the report as a whitewash.Williams Hywel Cassell's Chronology of World History https://archive.org/details/cassellschronolo0000will/page/656 registration Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2005 0-304-35730-8 656–660 29 January – Mark Byford becomes acting Director-General of the BBC following Greg Dyke's resignation. 30 January – ITV's News at Ten ends for a second time, with its replacement, the News at 10:30, launching the following Monday. January – SMG sells its stake in Scottish Radio Holdings to EMAP for £90 million in anticipation of consolidation in the radio market.http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/513362/ Emap buys stake in Scottish Radio Holdings Media Week 2004-01-19 2013-06-22 February 2 February – ITV plc is formed from the merger of Carlton and Granada. The new company controls 90% of the ITV network.Darby Ian http://www.brandrepublic.com/analysis/201455/stronger-ITV-trusted-not-exploit-its-power/?HAYILC=RELATED Can a stronger ITV be trusted not to exploit its power? Brand Republic 5 February 2004 28 April 2014 The News at 10:30 debuts on ITV1.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3411259.stm Later bulletin ends News at Ten BBC News 19 January 2004 28 April 2014 On the same day, ITV News is revamped with a new studio making extensive use of computer graphics that is nicknamed the 'Theatre of News', whilst regional news programmes adopt a new generic presentation package. SMG's sells its stake in GMTV to ITV plc for £31 million.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/may/10/smg.citynews ITV buys GMTV stake from SMG Chris Tryhorn The Guardian 10 May 2004 10 January 2016 4 February – ITV announces the comedian Bradley Walsh is to join Coronation Street as the nephew of factory owner Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs). The news comes as it is announced that five actors will leave the soap over the next twelve months—Adam Rickitt (Nick Tilsley), Susie Blake (Bev Unwin), Iain Rogerson (Harry Flagg), Katherine Hunt (Angela Harris) and Thomas Craig (Tommy Harris). Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) are also set to return to the series in the summer.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3461219.stm Entertainment | Five Coronation Street stars axed BBC News 5 February 2004 26 May 2015 UKTV announces plans to rebrand all their UK prefix channels as UKTV. UK Horizons will also be replaced by UKTV Documentary and UKTV People from 8 March.Owen Gibson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/feb/04/bbc.broadcasting2 UKTV launches set to raise hackles The Guardian 4 February 2004 28 July 2014 Five confirms that The Terry and Gaby Show will be axed when it finishes its current run on 26 March.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3458177.stm Channel 5 drops Terry and Gaby BBC News 4 February 2004 8 May 2014 5 February – Five actors from Coronation Street are axed by new producer Tony Wood. Adam Rickitt (Nick Tilsley), Susie Blake (Bev Unwin), Iain Rogerson (Harry Flagg), Katherine Hunt (Angela Harris) and Thomas Craig (Tommy Harris) will all leave when their contracts come to an end.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3461219.stm Five Coronation Street stars axed BBC News 5 February 2004 15 June 2014 9 February – Kerry McFadden wins the third series of ITV1's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3472451.stm McFadden named TV's jungle queen BBC News 10 February 2004 23 April 2014 13 February – Sky One airs the inaugural EuroMillions draw at 9pm, the first time a National Lottery draw has been aired on commercial television.https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/first-chance-lottery-euromillionaire-2448785 First chance to be a Lottery EuroMillionaire Trinity Mirror The Western Mail 6 February 2004 21 July 2018 15 February – Debut of ITV's How to Holiday, presented by Jenni Falconer and Dominic Littlewood. The programme has both presenters visiting the same location, with Falconer travelling in luxury while Littlewood travels on a budget.Pile Stephen https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/729674/Now-theyre-thinking-outside-the-box.html Now they're thinking outside the box Telegraph Media Group The Daily Telegraph 14 February 2004 24 May 2014 Debut of Five's Back to Reality, a reality television programme featuring 12 contestants from other reality shows (such as Big Brother, The Salon and Pop Idol) spending three weeks in a purpose-built house, competing to become "Britain's most popular reality star".https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3495197.stm 'Reality' hits the ground walking BBC News 17 February 2004 26 April 2014 Deriving many of its ideas from other shows, the programme receives poor ratings and a solicitor's letter from Endemol because of its perceived similarity to Celebrity Big Brother.Jason Deans https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/feb/23/mondaymediasection3 Five's reality show struggles The Guardian 23 February 2004 26 April 2014 16 February – BBC Network news titles are relaunched in the style of BBC News 24, which were introduced in December 2003. 27 February – Reports emerge of discussions between Channel 4 and Five aimed at a merger between the two channels.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3492276.stm Channel 4 and Five discuss merger BBC News 27 February 2004 31 May 2013 29 February – Transmission date of the final edition of London Tonight to be produced by the London News Network. After this date its news operation is absorbed into ITN. March 5 March – Major James Hewitt wins Five's Back to Reality.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Diana's+ex+wins+reality+TV+show.-a0113972001 Diana's ex wins reality TV show Trinity Mirror Middlesbrough Evening Gazette 6 March 2004 28 April 2014https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a13769/back-to-reality-winner-hewitt-arrested/ Back To Reality winner Hewitt arrested Digital Spy 8 March 2004 8 June 2022 7 March – An edition of ITV London's The Week is the final London News Network produced programme to be aired. 8 March – All 'UK' prefix TV channels are rebranded to UKTV.Shelley Darren https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a13771/redesigned-look-and-new-channels-for-uktv/ Redesigned look and new channels for UKTV Digital Spy 8 March 2004 8 June 2022 For example, UK Bright Ideas is rebranded UKTV Bright Ideas, and UK History becomes UKTV History. As part of the changes, UK Horizons ceases broadcasting and is split into two new channels, UKTV Documentaries and UKTV People. Brooke Kinsella, who plays Kelly Taylor in EastEnders, announces she will be leaving the soap after two and a half years, departing in the summer.https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/tv_film/newsid_3543000/3543371.stm Kelly actress leaving EastEnders BBC News 8 March 2004 28 July 2014 11 March – Five soap Family Affairs is to become the first British television series to allow viewers to decide a storyline, with them being asked to vote by phone on the outcome of a love triangle, and whether Yasmin (Ebony Thomas) or Geri (Anna Acton) will end up with Marc (Michael Wildman).https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/family-affairs-love-triangle-to-be-put-to-vote/1090254.article Family Affairs love triangle to be put to vote Broadcast 11 March 2004 12 February 2025 13 March – Charles Ngandwe, performing as Paul Robeson, wins the fifteenth series of Stars in Their Eyes. The edition is also the last to be presented by Matthew Kelly, who had announced the previous day that he would be leaving the series.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3504640.stm Street trio bid farewell to Kelly BBC News 14 March 2004 9 April 2014 The role of presenter is taken over by Cat Deeley.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Matthew+Kelly+to+quit+Stars+In+Their+Eyes.-a0114209946 Matthew Kelly to quit Stars In Their Eyes Liverpool Echo Trinity Mirror 12 March 2004 9 April 2014http://www.thefreelibrary.com/3am%3A+Cat+Deeley.-a0114503989 3am: Cat Deeley Jessica Callan Eva Simpson Caroline Hedley Trinity Mirror The Mirror 23 March 2004 9 April 2014 14 March – Channel 4 airs the documentary He's Starsky, I'm Hutch, a programme which prompts actor David Soul to write an open letter to the channel complaining about the way he was portrayed in the film. Soul had co-operated with the documentary, but felt it betrayed because it had concentrated too much on the negative aspects of his life.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3515742.stm Actor Soul angry over documentary BBC News 16 March 2004 22 June 2014 18 March – FremantleMedia confirms plans to bring the popular US TV series The Apprentice to the UK.https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a13929/the-apprentice-coming-to-uk/ 'The Apprentice' coming to UK Digital Spy 18 March 2004 8 June 2022 21 March – "An Apple a Day", an episode of Last of the Summer Wine aired on BBC One in which Billy Hardcastle does not appear. 22 March – Christopher Eccleston is announced as the ninth actor to play The Doctor in Doctor Who. A new 13-episode series is filmed in Cardiff later in the year and make its debut in 2005.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3552087.stm Eccleston is new Doctor Who BBC News 22 March 2004 26 July 2014 27 March – Following two years, The Story Makers airs the last ever episode. 29 March – BBC Two Controller Jane Root will leave her role to take up a position with the Discovery Network in the United States, it is reported.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3580417.stm BBC Two controller leaves for US BBC News 29 March 2004 13 April 2014 March – Launch of the Islam Channel. A new pay television service on digital terrestrial television, Top Up TV, launches. It offers ten channels, each of which broadcasts on a part-time basis. April 1 April – It is reported that ITV have axed On the Ball after losing the broadcast rights to screen Premiership highlights. It will disappear from the schedule at the end of the current season.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ITV+kicks+'On+the+Ball'+into+touch.-a0114859355 ITV kicks 'On the Ball' into touch Trinity Mirror Western Mail 2 April 2004 6 May 2014 BBC One airs Pat and Mo, an EastEnders spin-off episode featuring Pat Butcher and Mo Harris during the 1950s.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ian+Hyland+column%3A+Pat+And+Mo%3A+Ashes+To+Ashes.-a0114896768 Ian Hyland Pat And Mo: Ashes To Ashes Trinity Mirror Sunday Mirror 4 April 2014 26 April 2014Jim Shelley http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SHELLEYVISION%3A+Pat+and+Big+Mo%3A+the+burly+years.-a0114956596 Shelleyvision: Pat and Big Mo: the burly years Trinity Mirror Daily Mirror 6 April 2004 26 April 2014 2 April – Michael Grade is appointed as new BBC chairman, taking over the role from Gavyn Davies, who stepped down in the wake of the Hutton Report.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3591985.stm Michael Grade is new BBC chairman BBC News 2 April 2004 26 July 2014 3 April – Debut of Come and Have a Go If You Think You're Smart Enough on BBC One, a live interactive quiz show hosted by Nicky Campbell. 7 April – Former Bad Girls actress Debra Stephenson is to join Coronation Street as new character Frankie Baldwin. She will be seen onscreen from June.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3607995.stm Bad Girl lands feisty Street role BBC News 7 April 2004 10 June 2014 12 April – Magdalen College, Oxford wins the 2003–04 series of University Challenge, beating Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge 190–160. 13 April – BBC Two airs the television debut of Hawking, a drama about the life and work of theoretical physicist Professor Stephen Hawking, and which stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/45dc870e95cd43f0ba8e936c12fc9534 https://web.archive.org/web/20181023201550/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/45dc870e95cd43f0ba8e936c12fc9534 dead 23 October 2018 Hawking – BBC Two England – 13 April 2004 BBC Genome 23 October 2018 15 April – ITV announces plans for Vote for Me, a Pop Idol-style contest to find a Parliamentary candidate. The series will be presented by Jonathan Maitland.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3628901.stm TV bid to find UK's 'Poll Idol' BBC News 15 April 2004 22 June 2014 19 April – Tots TV begins screenings on CBeebies and BBC Two, as part of a broadcast deal between the BBC and Carlton, who distributed the series. 60 Minute Makeover debuts on ITV1. 20 April – BBC Two celebrates 40 years on air by broadcasting Happy Birthday BBC Two.Oakes Keily https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3586571.stm BBC Two's 40 years on air BBC News 20 April 2004 13 April 2014 21 April – After commenting on a UEFA Champions League match on ITV1, football pundit and ex-manager Ron Atkinson makes a racist slur. Although transmission in the UK has finished, the comment is broadcast live to the Middle East and Atkinson resigns immediately.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/22/football.raceintheuk TV pundit Ron Atkinson sacked for racist remark Ian Prior The Guardian London 2004-04-22 2025-11-22 23 April ITV unveils plans for The X Factor, a new music talent contest developed by Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell that will see a panel of judges mentoring acts and competing against each other to have their act chosen as the winner.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3653461.stm Cowell reveals new talent search BBC News 23 April 2004 24 May 2014 The last episode of Catchphrase is broadcast on ITV1, after a run of 18 years. The show would be later revived in 2013. 24 April – Computer programmer and quiz expert Pat Gibson becomes the fourth contestant to win the £1 million prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3655311.stm Father of two wins £1m TV jackpot BBC News 24 April 2004 13 May 2014 26 April – Michael Parkinson is to take his Parkinson chat show to ITV after the network poached him from the BBC, it is reported. Parkinson's decision to make the move was also influenced by BBC plans to move his show to a different time slot to make way for the return of Match of the Day. His final BBC show is recorded on 29 April for transmission on 8 May.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3660681.stm Parkinson takes chat show to ITV BBC News 26 April 2004 26 July 2014 27 April – The BBC's Programme Complaints Committee rules that an episode of EastEnders that dealt with the aftermath of the rape of a character was unsuitable for family viewing after it received several complaints from viewers.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3664641.stm EastEnders rapped over rape scene BBC News 27 April 2004 3 May 2014 Complaints about the episode are also later upheld by Ofcom.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3767795.stm Concern over rape in EastEnders BBC News 1 June 2004 3 May 2014 April – The newly created ITV plc purchases NTL's 35% stake in the ITV News Channel. May 2 May – Merseybeat actress Leslie Ash's publicist has released a statement saying that she is undergoing treatment in hospital for "an unknown infection", which she is believed to have contracted during an earlier hospital stay. Ash was treated for a broken rib and collapsed lung a few days earlier, which she said had occurred as a result of her falling onto a table during lovemaking with her husband, former footballer Lee Chapman. The infection has left Ash with partial loss of feeling below the waist, but she is said to be responding to treatment and is described as stable.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3676969.stm TV actress Ash stable in hospital BBC News 2 May 2004 28 June 2014 The infection is subsequently diagnosed as Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, a bug that attacks the nervous system.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3678871.stm TV's Ash 'making good progress' BBC News 3 May 2004 28 June 2014 Following her recovery, Ash later speaks about how she almost died from the infection. She is also left requiring the aid of crutches to walk.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3923779.stm TV's Ash hails 'miracle' recovery BBC News 25 July 2004 28 June 2014 7 May – The BBC airs its final episode of The Simpsons, having lost the broadcasting rights to Channel 4 in February 2002. Behind the Laughter is the last episode shown on the BBC. However, broadcasting rights were held until 2006, two years later. 8 May – The final edition of Parkinson to air on BBC One. Guests include The Corrs, Boris Becker, Jamie Cullum and Patrick Kielty.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3695533.stm End of an era for Parkinson show BBC News 8 May 2004 26 July 2014 14 May – BBC Four Controller Roly Keating is appointed to succeed Jane Root as Controller of BBC Two.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3713571.stm BBC Four chief moves to BBC Two BBC News 14 May 2004 13 April 2014 15 May – Strictly Come Dancing makes its debut on BBC One.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/837ce2c6602e4473940906bd8d16fe10 https://web.archive.org/web/20181111000555/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/837ce2c6602e4473940906bd8d16fe10 dead 11 November 2018 Strictly Come Dancing – BBC One London – 15 May 2004 BBC Genome 10 November 2018 Ukraine's Ruslana wins the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest with "Wild Dances". Paul Cowperthwaite, performing as Michael Jackson wins the third junior series of Stars in Their Eyes.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Death+on+Metro+line.-a0116657691 Teenage singer Ashlea Pearson is looking forward to a career in showbusiness, despite failing to win a public vote in a TV talent contest Trinity Mirror The Journal 17 May 2004 27 April 2014 The Premiership ends on ITV1 after three seasons. 19 May – A UK version of the popular US TV series The Apprentice is to be produced for the BBC, with Amstrad founder and chairman Sir Alan Sugar as presenter. Applications will be invited for 14 candidates to take part in the programme, which will air in 2005.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3727649.stm Tycoon Sugar heads reality show BBC News 19 May 2004 5 May 2014 Martin Bashir is to leave ITV after signing a deal to work for the US ABC network, where he will be a correspondent on its 20/20 news programme.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3727617.stm Bashir quits ITV for US news show BBC News 19 May 2004 10 June 2014 21 May – Mark Thompson is appointed new Director-General of the BBC.http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/executives/markthompson.shtml BBC Press Office: Biographies – Mark Thompson 30 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090423194358/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/executives/markthompson.shtml 23 April 2009 dead 24 May – Former pop star Billie Piper is announced as the new Doctor Who companion Rose Tyler.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3743753.stm 24 May 2004 Billie Piper is Doctor Who helper 27 April 2007 BBC News 26 May – As part of a government trial to test the feasibility of switching the UK to digital television, Ferryside and Llansteffan, two towns in Carmarthenshire, have been chosen to become the first places in the UK to have their analogue signal switched off. Residents who do not currently have access to digital television will be provided with set-top boxes to enable them to receive a digital signal before the analogue transmitter is turned off later in the year. The government hopes to convert the UK to digital television by 2010.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/3749749.stm Two towns pioneer digital TV BBC News 26 May 2004 27 July 2014 27 May – Channel 4 airs Paul Greengrass's controversial film Omagh, a graphic portrayal of the events surrounding the Omagh bombing. The film, which took two years to research and make, had previously received a cinema showing that was attended by victims and their families, and later goes on general release.Angelique Chrisafis https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/may/11/broadcasting.politicsandthearts Omagh film stirs up pain of atrocity | UK news The Guardian 2018-01-13 28 May – Channel 4 airs the final episode of US sitcom Friends, with the episode watched by 8.6 million viewers.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3757901.stm Entertainment | Friends finale draws record 8.6m BBC News 2004-05-29 2018-01-13 31 May – Long-running children's animated television series Peppa Pig premieres on the Nick Jr. Channel and Five. June 2 June – Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter makes its Network television premiere on ITV1. 4 June – BBC News reports that having been axed by BBC America in September 2003, EastEnders will air in the US once again. Episodes will appear on the subscription channel Dish Network, beginning from where BBC America left the series.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3777231.stm EastEnders returns to US screens BBC News 4 June 2004 17 July 2014 Kitten Pinder is evicted from the Big Brother UK house, shouting against The Queen and the aristocracy on the way out. She is the first contestant to be evicted by the show's producers rather than through an audience vote after she repeatedly broke the rules during her stay in the house.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Unwanted+Kitten+evicted+by+Brother.-a0117724822 Unwanted Kitten evicted by Brother Trinity Mirror The Journal David Stringer 5 June 2004 13 April 2014 5 June – Launch of the BBC's Summer in the Sixties season with a night of classic TV from the 1960s on BBC Four, including episodes of Coronation Street, Z-Cars, Not Only But Also, and Call My Bluff.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcfour/2004-06-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20141019072913/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcfour/2004-06-05 dead 19 October 2014 BBC Four – 5 June 2004 BBC Genome 10 October 2018 More 1960s programming is aired on 6 June, with episodes of World in Action and Till Death Us Do Part among the lineup.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcfour/2004-06-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20141019073001/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcfour/2004-06-06 dead 19 October 2014 BBC Four – 6 June 2004 BBC Genome 10 October 2018 7 June – Jane Danson returns to Coronation Street as Leanne Battersby after an absence of four years.Button Simon http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interrogating+Jane+Danson%3A+%60I'M+SICK+OF+HINTING+I+WANT+TO+WED'+As...-a0117401428 As Leanne Battersby is set to return to Coronation Street, actress Jane Danson, 25, talks belly-dancing and being 'drunk and disorderly' Trinity Mirror Sunday Mirror 30 May 2004 17 June 2014 9 June – BSkyB unveil plans to launch a free-to-air service to rival Freeview.Douglas Torin https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3791787.stm What Sky's free digital deal means BBC News 10 June 2004 21 April 2014 Jurassic Park III makes its Network television premiere on ITV1. 11 June – BBC Four begins a re-run of the 1960s classic television series The Prisoner.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/49ed91703d8249afb60a1aa9319a959b https://web.archive.org/web/20181011053746/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/49ed91703d8249afb60a1aa9319a959b dead 11 October 2018 The Prisoner – BBC Four – 11 June 2004 BBC Genome 10 October 2018 12 June–4 July – Euro 2004 is held in Portugal. 14 June – Quiz TV launches in the UK, one of the country's first phone-in quiz channels. Many more launched over the next few years, though Quiz TV itself would close down in 2006. 17 June – The live feed of Big Brother is taken off air as the housemates become aggressive and fight. Security guards are sent in to break up the fight, while Hertfordshire Police ask to view footage of the incident after being contacted by members of the public.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3814929.stm Police called in to Big Brother BBC News 17 June 2004 28 April 2014 22 June – Mark Thompson takes over as Director-General of the BBC.https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/06_june/22/thompson.shtml BBC Press Office Mark Thompson arrival BBC 22 June 2004 1 June 2014 23 June – Channel 4 airs the final episode of the US sitcom Frasier. 24 June – The highest rated audience of the year is recorded in the UK as 20.66 million watch England's football match against Portugal in the quarter finals of Euro 2004.https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/top-20-shows-of-2004-7208181.html Top 20 shows of 2004 London Evening Standard 14 January 2005 1 June 2014Douglas Torin https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16671101 BBC News Tracking 30 years of TV's most watched programmes BBC 22 January 2012 1 June 2014 Viewing figures for any programme would not reach the 20 million mark again for another eight years, when England faced Italy at Euro 2012.Jason Deans https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jun/25/england-italy-tv-ratings TV ratings – 24 June: England's Euro 2012 exit to Italy pulls in 20 million The Guardian 25 June 2012 1 June 2014 July 1 July – Andy Duncan succeeds Mark Thompson as Chief Executive of Channel 4.https://www.channel4.com/media/documents/corporate/foi-docs/4_at_25.pdf Channel 4's 25-year Anniversary Channel 4 2007 26 January 2019Chris Tryhorn https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/jul/01/marketingandpr.citynews3 Andy Duncan's in-tray The Guardian 1 July 2004 26 January 2019 3 July – BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and her dance partner Brendan Cole are crowned series champions as the first series of Strictly Come Dancing reaches its grand final.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3864373.stm Kaplinsky wins TV dancing contest BBC News 4 July 2004 2 April 2014https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a14892/stars-line-up-for-second-strictly-come-dancing/ Stars line up for second 'Strictly Come Dancing' Digital Spy 5 July 2004 8 June 2022http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CHA-CHA-CHAMPS%3B+Nat+%26+Bren+win+Come+Dancing.-a0118932341 Cha-cha-champs; Nat & Bren win Come Dancing Trinity Mirror Sunday Mirror 4 July 2004 2 April 2014 4 July – Des Lynam presents his final sports television broadcast after a career spanning 27 years across both BBC and ITV. Lynam departs ITV following coverage of the final of UEFA Euro 2004, and would return to radio broadcasting at the BBC the following month. 5 July – 50th anniversary of television news broadcasts. 8 July – The first Schools edition of Question Time is aired on BBC One. Recorded in London, the panel is made up of guests chosen by the winners of the Schools Question Time Challenge.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/question_time/3869423.stm Question Time – 8 July 2004 BBC News 7 July 2004 17 July 2014 15 July – The BBC broadcasts a documentary on the British National Party in which undercover reporter Jason Gwynne infiltrated the BNP by posing as a football hooligan.Utley Tom The BNP is thoroughly nasty, so why did 750,000 people vote for it? The Daily Telegraph 16 July 2004 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/07/16/do1601.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2004/07/16/ixopinion.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070416160946/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fopinion%2F2004%2F07%2F16%2Fdo1601.xml&sSheet=%2Fopinion%2F2004%2F07%2F16%2Fixopinion.html dead 16 April 2007 2009-04-10 London Going undercover in the BNP BBC 15 July 2004 https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3896213.stm 2009-04-10 The programme results in Mark Collett and Nick Griffin, the leader of the party, being charged for inciting racial hatred in April 2005, for comments made in the film.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bradford/4416523.stm BNP leader charged with race hate BBC News 6 April 2005 2 April 2014 17 July – Simply the Best debuts on ITV1, an eight week competition featuring teams from 14 different cities across the UK taking part in a series of physical and wacky challenges. The show also features performances from a variety of music acts. 18 July – BBC Four airs a night of programming celebrating the work of Jack Rosenthal, including an episode of Coronation Street written by him.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcfour/2004-07-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20141019072842/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcfour/2004-07-18 dead 19 October 2014 BBC Four – 18 July 2004 BBC Genome 10 October 2018 23 July – Repeats of Rosie and Jim end on CITV. 26 July – Space Precinct continues on ITV1. 27 July – Tiny Pop launched in the UK (2004–present). August 6 August – Nadia Almada wins the fifth series of Big Brother.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3540860.stm Nadia triumphs in Big Brother 5 BBC News 7 August 2004 2 April 2014 8 August – EastEnders announce the introduction of a new family, the Millers, who will be seen on screen from September.https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/08_august/08/miller.shtml BBC Press Office The Miller Family BBC 8 August 2004 17 July 2014 11 August – The Daily Mirror reports that a laptop stolen during a burglary at the home of a senior member of the EastEnders production team could lead to several months of major storylines being leaked as the computer contained scripts for upcoming episodes.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3555616.stm EastEnders scripts feared stolen BBC News 11 August 2004 17 July 2014 12 August – Five signs a deal with Sony Pictures Television to premiere a number of films before they appear on pay-per-view platforms. These include the British television debut of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.http://www.c21media.net/five-leapfrogs-blockbusters-pay-window/ Five leapfrogs blockbusters' pay window C21Media 12 August 2004 25 March 2015 13–29 August – The BBC airs live coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics from Athens. For the first time, in addition to the usual through the day coverage across both BBC One and BBC Two, viewers are able to select from up to four alternative events to watch at any one time through either interactive television or the BBC Sport website. 14 August – Match of the Day returns to BBC One's Saturday night schedule after a three year absence as the network regains highlights to the FA Premiership. 15 August – Channel 4 airs the 2000 musical film Coyote Ugly. 19 August – Channel 4's subscription film channel FilmFour announces it will be available to non-subscribers for the first weekend in October. The free weekend will coincide with the beginning of the channel's month long Killer Thrillers season.http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a15408/filmfour-freeview-weekend/ FilmFour Freeview Weekend 19 August 2004 Digital Spy 14 September 2018 31 August – CITV axes in-vision continuity between programmes for a second time. The change is made as part of its production relocation from Birmingham to Manchester. Channel 4 airs Franklin for the very final time. September September – The BBC airs the final episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ending repeats. 4 September – Launch of the UK version of The X Factor, the first television programme produced by Simon Cowell's production company Syco. Cowell is joined on the judging panel by Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.Waters Darren https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3610626.stm Entertainment | Cowell plans life after Pop Idol BBC News 31 August 2004 24 May 2014Cummins Fiona http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FIX-FACTOR%3B+Simon+Cowell+coaches+wannabes+to+fight+back+Louis+Walsh...-a0121603218 Fix-Factor; Simon Cowell coaches wannabes to fight back Louis Walsh has to axe singers he managed Trinity Mirror The Mirror 4 September 2004 24 May 2014 5 September – ITV1 airs the 14th series of Heartbeat with the opening episode "Money, Money, Money" watched by 8.76 million viewers. 11 September – Harry Hill takes over hosting duties on You've Been Framed!, replacing Jonathan Wilkes. Hill serves as a narrator, providing humorous commentary over the clips with a pre-recorded audience soundtrack. 16 September – BBC One airs a special edition of Question Time to celebrate its 25th anniversary.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/question_time/3869985.stm The best of Question Time BBC News 4 August 2004 23 March 2014 23 September – Bosses at Coronation Street confirm that Johnny Briggs (who plays Mike Baldwin) will leave the series in 2006, after agreeing an "exit strategy" with the actor.Jason Deans https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/23/broadcasting.uknews Corrie star to leave after 30 years | Media The Guardian 2018-01-13 27 September – ABC1, a channel from Disney, is launched in the UK.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3537732.stm Disney plans Freeview TV channel BBC News 5 August 2004 10 June 2014 EastEnders wins Best Soap at the Inside Soap Awards for the eighth year in a row.https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/09_september/27/eastenders.shtml BBC Press Office EastEnders wins six awards at Inside Soap Awards 2004 BBC 27 September 2004 1 June 2014 ITV confirms that its celebrity idents will be axed as part of a rebrand timed to coincide with the launch of ITV3.Quinn Ian 28 September 2004 Media Week – Celebrities get the boot as ITV rebrands for digital channels http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/articles/2004/9/28/Celebritiesboot dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041009210605/http://www.mediaweek.co.uk:80/articles/2004/9/28/Celebritiesboot 9 October 2004 17 September 2026 Media Week 28 September – ITV has signed a deal with Warner Bros to air film releases produced in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Titles include Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions and Troy.http://www.warnerbros.com/studio/news/itv-and-warner-bros-international-television-distribution-enter-licensing-agreement-uk ITV And Warner Bros. International Television Distribution Enter Licensing Agreement in the UK Warner Bros 28 September 2004 26 May 2015 October 1 October – As part of its response to the Hutton Inquiry the BBC launches Newswatch, a programme providing a viewer and listener right-to-reply on BBC News's reporting and coverage of news events. BBC Technology, incorporating the BBC's Broadcast Engineering division, is sold to Siemens Business Services for approximately £200m, and a £2bn, 10-year outsourcing contract. ITV talk show host Trisha Goddard will move to Five in 2005 after signing a two-year contract with the broadcaster.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3706566.stm Five snaps up ITV's Trisha show BBC News 1 October 2004 6 June 2014 2 October – BBC One airs One Night with Barry Manilow, a television special in which Barry Manilow performs some of his best known songs.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p0frw12v https://web.archive.org/web/20230610221113/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/p0frw12v dead 10 June 2023 One Night with Barry Manilow – BBC One – 2 October 2004 BBC BBC News 10 June 2023 ITV1 begins airing the fourth series of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. 4 October – UK television debut of the US version of The Apprentice with Donald Trump on BBC Two.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/bdab99ad0e6247d79a5d4db51ff158ce https://web.archive.org/web/20170826001012/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/bdab99ad0e6247d79a5d4db51ff158ce dead 26 August 2017 The Apprentice – BBC Two England – 4 October 2004 – BBC Genome Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk 2018-01-13 Peppa Pig begins its first broadcast on ABC in Australia. 13 October – The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 announce that audio description, which helps people with sight loss to follow television programmes by describing some of the visual content, is now available through Sky.Shelley Darren https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/satellite/a16285/bbc-itv-c4-offer-audio-description-on-sky/ BBC, ITV, C4 offer Audio Description on Sky Digital Spy 13 October 2004 8 June 2022 It is announced that the entire Ferreira family will leave EastEnders in Spring 2005.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3741454.stm Farewell to EastEnders' Ferreiras BBC News 13 October 2004 17 June 2014 21 October – BSkyB launch their free digital satellite TV service that offers viewers a selection of 140 TV and 80 radio channels for a one-off payment of £150.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3762910.stm Sky launches 'freesat' digital TV BBC News 21 October 2004 21 April 2014 27 October – British television premiere of the James Bond film Die Another Day on ITV1.https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/history_bond_on_tv.php3?id=02822 James Bond on TV – Movies MI6 – The Home of James Bond 007 5 April 2011 26 January 2018 28 October – BBC One airs a special edition of Question Time from Miami, Florida, ahead of the 2004 US presidential election.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/question_time/4549698.stm Classic Question Times BBC News 20 February 2008 7 April 2014 30 October – The BBC receives "hundreds of complaints" after reporter Barbara Plett describes herself crying when a frail Yasser Arafat was evacuated to France for medical treatment. Ultimately these complaints are partially upheld by the BBC Governors' Programme Complaints Committee.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4471494.stm Arafat report broke BBC rules 25 November 2005 2009-12-31 BBC News 31 October – ITV's regional logos (Anglia, Border, Carlton, Granada, LWT, Meridian, Tyne Tees, and Yorkshire) are seen on screen for the final time, having continued to appear as endcaps after the formation of ITV plc. November 1 November – The digital television station ITV3 is launched at 9:00 pm, replacing Granada Plus, which ceases broadcasting earlier that day unexpectedly after ITV takes full control of Granada Sky Broadcasting in a deal that will allow for ITV3 to launch on Sky Digital.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3970843.stm ITV launches free digital channel BBC News 1 November 2004 24 May 2014http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itv3-to-launch-on-sky-tonight/1100904.article ITV3 to launch on Sky tonight Broadcast 1 November 2004 24 May 2014 On the same day, ITV1 unveils a new look, replacing its celebrity-led idents that had been used for just over two years with new idents that feature the ITV1 logo, now made up of individual squares, animating into place on various abstract blue backgrounds. 5 November – Just over a year after his high-profile return to EastEnders, the BBC confirms that Leslie Grantham, who plays Den Watts will leave for a second time.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3988347.stm Dirty Den actor leaves EastEnders BBC News 6 November 2004 2 May 2014 The Simpsons debuts on Channel 4, having won the broadcasting rights from the BBC in February 2002, with the first terrestrial showings of the episodes A Tale of Two Springfields and Treehouse of Horror XI. The network plans to air classic re-runs of the show on weeknights at 6pm with first run episodes airing in a primetime slot on Friday nights. 6 November – BBC One celebrates the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the launch of the National Lottery with the special one-off programme The National Lottery 10th Birthday Celebration, featuring a mash-up of its four gameshow formats played by six celebrity contestants in aid of charity. A special jackpot-only draw with a guaranteed £10 million prize also takes place that evening. 10 November – British television premiere of the 2002 romantic comedy-drama film About a Boy starring Hugh Grant, Rachel Weisz and Nicholas Hoult. The film airs on ITV1 first, before being shown on BBC One on 14 November. 14 November – Five shows the UK terrestrial television premiere of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.Paul Howlett https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/nov/13/tvandradio.guide1 The week's best films The Guardian 13 November 2004 26 August 2018 15 November – It emerges that Mersey Television boss Phil Redmond wrote to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport offering to buy the publicly funded Channel 4. However, Ofcom says that the channel will not be privatised.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4014293.stm Brookside creator's Channel 4 bid BBC News 15 November 2004 31 March 2014 17 November – It is reported that merger talks between Channel 4 and Five have been called off after complexities arose between the public broadcaster Channel 4 and its commercial counterpart.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4018887.stm Merger off for Channel 4 and Five BBC News 17 November 2004 31 May 2013 ITV1 airs the British television premiere of The Mummy Returns. 18 November – The video for the new charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid 20 airs simultaneously on all five main UK television networks, as well as over twenty satellite and cable stations. This unprecedented broadcast attracts 13.5 million viewers between 5:50 and 6:00pm.Amanda Lennon http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/article/514068/daily-tv-marketplace---band-aid-20-debut-brings-135m-viewers Band Aid 20 debut brings in 13.5m viewers Media Week 19 November 2004 1 June 2014 24 November – A report by Ofcom has recommended that elderly and visually impaired people should be given financial assistance to help them buy equipment capable of receiving digital television before the analogue signal is switched off. The report suggests the government may need to set aside £250m–£400m to cover the cost of this.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4039341.stm Elderly 'need digital TV funds' BBC News 24 November 2004 27 July 2014 26 November – Five airs the 2000th episode of its soap Family Affairs.Green Kris https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a17158/2000th-episode/ Family Affairs spoilers: 2000th Episode Digital Spy 20 November 2004 8 June 2022 29 November – The BBC announces that Top of the Pops will move from its Friday evening BBC One slot to BBC Two, where it will air on Sunday evenings.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4051231.stm Top of the Pops leaves BBC One BBC News 29 November 2004 21 June 2014 December 1 December – BBC News reports that the digital switchover trial has begun after Ferryside and Llansteffan had their digital signal switched on a few days earlier. The towns were chosen because they received their signal from a single relay which had poor reception, and residents report that their viewing experience has improved since digital transmission began.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/4058069.stm Villages tune in to digital trial BBC News 1 December 2004 27 July 2014 2 December – BBC Two unveils its winter season of programming, which will include a major documentary, Auschwitz, to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day.Jason Deans https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/dec/02/broadcasting.bbc1 BBC2 to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day The Guardian 2 December 2004 5 May 2014 4 December – "Thunderbirds Are Go" by Busted is voted the 2004 Record of the Year by ITV viewers.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4069399.stm Busted scoop Record of the Year BBC News 4 December 2004 27 May 2014 5 December – ITV1 aired the 4th series of the medical drama series The Royal, with the opening episode watched by 9.43 million viewers. 6 December – Joe Pasquale wins the fourth series of ITV1's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!.https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a17475/joe-pasquale-crowned-king-of-the-jungle/ Joe Pasquale crowned king of the jungle Digital Spy 6 December 2004 8 June 2022 7 December – Netwise, the company that handled text voting for ITV's Record of the Year show says that thousands of customers who were accidentally overcharged will receive refunds after it emerged that some Virgin and T-Mobile users were charged multiple times for a single vote. The company confirms the affected votes did not alter the final result.Briggs Caroline https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4075123.stm Text vote problems hit ITV show BBC News 7 December 2004 27 May 2014 11 December – Steve Brookstein wins the first series of The X Factor.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4089147.stm Steve voted The X Factor winner BBC News 11 December 2004 2 April 2014 On the same evening, actress Jill Halfpenny and dance partner Darren Bennett win the second series of Strictly Come Dancing.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4089123.stm EastEnder crowned ballroom champ BBC News 11 December 2004 2 April 2014 12 December – Double Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes is named as this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/4085337.stm BBC Sports Personality: The winners BBC BBC Sport 12 December 2004 6 November 2015https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/12_december/12/kelly.shtml BBC Press Office Kelly Holmes is Sports Personality of the Year BBC 12 December 2004 7 November 2015 ITV1 airs Westlife: She's The One, a one-off X Factor-style programme following Irish boy band Westlife as they search for a fan to sing on their latest album Allow Us To Be Frank. Joanne Hindley from Bolton is chosen to accompany the band on their rendition of "The Way You Look Tonight". Agatha Christie's Marple makes its debut on ITV1 with the first episode watched by 8.72 million viewers. 24 December – Christmas Eve highlights on BBC One include the films: The Princess Diaries and Shrek. Stan Richards makes his final appearance as Seth Armstrong in Emmerdale which he will be killed off a year later. Richards died on 11 February 2005 at the age of 74. 25 December The first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone makes its UK television debut on BBC One as part of the channel's Christmas Day lineup.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4036079.stm Potter makes BBC Christmas debut BBC News 24 November 2004 26 May 2014https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4111653.stm BBC hits back over film criticism BBC News 20 December 2004 26 May 2014 Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message is delivered by Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson, following the recent acquisition of terrestrial rights to The Simpsons. 26 December Overnight viewing figures suggest BBC One beat ITV in the Christmas Day battle of the ratings, with EastEnders watched by 12.3 million viewers and The Vicar of Dibley achieving an audience of 11.8 million. The television premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was seen by 7.9 million. On ITV, Coronation Street attracted 11.3 million, while the first Midsomer Murders Christmas special received 6.3 million viewers.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4126341.stm BBC wins Christmas ratings fight BBC News 26 December 2004 26 May 2014 The Boxing Day Tsunami results in extended news bulletins airing on both BBC One and ITV1, along with some minor changes to the schedules. 27 December – Debut of Pride, Simon Nye's tale about two lion cubs growing up on the African plains, and which is aired on BBC One. The film features the voices of numerous British actors and uses CGI technology to enhance footage of actual lions and other animals.https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3c6faf9eb01c44ef806e3f3cff458274 https://web.archive.org/web/20181017042922/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3c6faf9eb01c44ef806e3f3cff458274 dead 17 October 2018 Pride – BBC One London – 27 December 2004 BBC Genome 16 October 2018 31 December – New Year's Eve highlights on BBC One include the network television premiere of the psychological thriller Don't Say a Word.http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/2004-12-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20141018011218/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/2004-12-31 dead 18 October 2014 BBC One London – 31 December 2004 BBC Genome BBC 12 November 2016 After five and a half years, Channel 4 has another rebrand replacing the previous squares idents with objects that transform into the Channel 4 logo. Unknown STV axes the lunchtime edition of Scotland Today. Peppa Pig begins its first television screening in New Zealand on TV3. Debuts BBC One 1 January – Carrie's War (2004) 17 January – The Murder Room (2004) 2 February – Sea of Souls (2004–2007) 24 February – Hustle (2004–2012) 12 March – The Worst Week of My Life (2004–2006) 18 April – He Knew He Was Right (2004) 15 May – Strictly Come Dancing (2004–present) 6 July – 55 Degrees North (2004–2005) 9 July – Coming Home (2004–present) 3 September – Carrie & Barry (2004–2005) 6 September – Live at the Apollo (2004–present) 9 September – Should I Worry About...? (2004–2005) 28 September – A Thing Called Love (2004) 16 October – Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder (2004) 17 October – Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004) 14 November – North & South (2004) 26 December – Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking (2004) BBC Two 15 February – Bella and the Boys (2004) 20 February – Sex & Lies (2004) 1 March – Look and Read: Shadow Play (2004) 14 March – Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004) 13 April – Hawking (2004) 20 April – Happy Birthday BBC Two (2004) 7 July – The Long Firm (2004) 15 August – Match of the Day 2 (2004–present) 29 September – Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013; 2018–2019) 12 October – Who Do You Think You Are? (2004–present) BBC Three 6 January – Nighty Night (2004–2005) 18 May – The Mighty Boosh (2004–2007) 24 May – Killing Time (2004) 23 June – Bodies (2004–2006) 29 June – The Smoking Room (2004–2005) BBC Four 15 January – The Alan Clark Diaries (2004) BBC News 24 1 October – Newswatch (2004–present) Bravo 3 September – Street Crime UK 3 6 September – Blues and Twos 6 September – Hot Lines CBBC 8 March – Bamzooki (2004–2010) 21 September – Shoebox Zoo (2004–2007) ITV (Including ITV1, ITV2 and ITV3) 5 January – The Sleepover Club (2003–2007) 7 January – Powers (2004) 8 January – Unsolved (2004–2006) 10 January – Ministry of Mayhem (2004–2006) 16 February – Life Begins (2004–2006) 24 Hour Quiz (2004) 13 March – Murder in Suburbia (2004–2005) 18 March – Murder City (2004–2006) 5 April – The Second Quest (2004) 19 April – 60 Minute Makeover (2004–present) 21 April – Shane (2004) 25 April – The Brief (2004–2005) 23 May – Hell's Kitchen (2004–2009) 7 June – Making Waves (2004) A Line in the Sand (2004) 11 July – Island at War (2004) 13 July – My Life as a Popat (2004, 2007) 26 July – Space Precinct (2004–2009) 14 August – Sex, Footballers and Videotape (2004) 1 September – Steel River Blues (2004) 2 September – Doc Martin (2004–2019) 4 September – The X Factor (2004–2019) Von Trapped (2004) 11 September – Beauty (2004) 18 September – King of Fridges (2004) 19 September – She's Gone (2004) 24 September – Orange Playlist (2004–2007) 26 September – Dirty Filthy Love (2004) 18 October – Tunnel of Love (2004) 24 October – Totally Spies! (2001–2008) 25 October – Whose Baby? (2004) 4 November – Blue Dove (2004) 15 November – Lie with Me (2004) 12 December – Agatha Christie's Marple (2004–2013) 20 December – Christmas Lights (2004) 27 December – The Final Quest (2004) Channel 4 5 January – Beat the Nation (2004) 13 January – Shameless (2004–2013) 25 January – Comfortably Numb (2004) 2 March – No Angels (2004–2006) 7 March – The O.C. (2003–2007) 7 July – Supernanny (2004–2008, 2010–2012 as Extreme Parental Guidance) 24 August – NY-LON (2004) 3 September – Green Wing (2004–2007) 14 October – Sex Traffic (2004) 23 November – The Sex Inspectors (2004–2007) Five 31 May – Peppa Pig (2004–present) 7 June – The Gadget Show (2004–present) 11 September – Beyblade G-Revolution (2004) Duel Masters (2004–2005) 30 October – Murder Prevention (2004) S4C 27 July – Clwb Winx (2004–2009) Sky One 13 January – Nip/Tuck (2003–2010) 12 February – Cold Case (2003–2010) 13 April – Las Vegas (2003–2008) 17 October – Hex (2004–2006) 23 October – Power Rangers: Dino Thunder (2004) Cartoon Network UK 5 January – Whatever Happened to Robot Jones? (2002–2004) 5 April – Xiaolin Showdown (2003–2006) 30 October – Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (2004–2009) 1 November – Atomic Betty (2004–2008) Nickelodeon UK 6 September – Drake & Josh (6 September 2004 – 16 September 2007) Trouble 7 June – Undergrads (2001) 16 July – Run of the House (2003–2004) Nicktoons UK 5 January – My Dad The Rock Star (2003–2004) 31 October – Danny Phantom (31 October 2004 – 24 August 2007) Boomerang UK 2 February – Duck Dodgers (2004–2007) Disney Channel UK 8 November – Brandy & Mr Whiskers (2004–06) Fox Kids UK/Jetix UK 3 April – Sonic X (2002–04) 7 August – Martin Mystery (2003–2006) Pop 3 February – Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) 27 May – Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) (Sonic week on Pop in the UK – 65 Episodes) 2 August – Sonic the Hedgehog (1993–1994) Channels New channels DateChannel8 MarchUKTV PeopleUKTV People +127 SeptemberABC11 NovemberITV3UKTV G2 +1 Defunct channels List of former TV channels in the United Kingdom#2004 DateChannel16 AprilTV Travel ShopTV Travel Shop 2 1 NovemberPlus Rebranded channels DateOld NameNew Name8 March UK Bright IdeasUKTV Bright IdeasUK DramaUKTV DramaUK FoodUKTV FoodUK Food +1UKTV Food +1UK GoldUKTV GoldUK Gold +1UKTV Gold +1UK G2UKTV G2UK HistoryUKTV HistoryUK History +1UKTV History +1UK HorizonsUKTV DocumentaryUK Horizons +1UKTV Documentary +1UK StyleUKTV StyleUK Style +1UKTV Style +127 JulyPop PlusTiny Pop Television shows Changes of network affiliation Show Moved from Moved toThe Boat RaceBBC OneITV1 What Not to WearBBC TwoBBC OneThe Kumars The Simpsons (UK Terrestrial Rights) Channel 4 24 Sky One 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd Disney Channel Nickelodeon Franklin Channel 4 Five Winx Club FoxBox (USA) S4C (Winx Club Welsh Title: Clwb Winx) Tots TV Carlton Kids/CITV Block CBeebies and BBC Two Atomic Betty Cartoon Network CITV on ITV1 Fun Song Factory GMTV CITV on ITV1 and ITV2 King of the Hill (first run rights) Sky One FX Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 Channel 4The Children's Channel Pop / Pop PlusGMTV2 Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog Totally Spies! The Sleepover Club CITV Nickelodeon Space Precinct BBC Two ITV1 and ITV2 Mummies Alive! Sky OneGMTV GMTV2 Blues and Twos UK Horizons Bravo Tiny Pop Pop Tiny Pop Returning this year after a break of one year or longer Postman Pat (1981, 1991–1994, 1996, 2004–2008). Pingu (1986–1998, 2004–2006) Tots TV (1993–1998, 2004–2008) Fun Song Factory (1998, 2004) Continuing television shows 1920s BBC Wimbledon (1927–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present) 1930s Trooping the Colour (1937–1939, 1946–2019, 2023–present) The Boat Race (1938–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present) 1950s Andy Pandy (1950–1970, 2002–2005) Panorama (1953–present) What the Papers Say (1956–2008)What the Papers Say in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/media/gallery/2008/may/29/what.the.papers.say The Guardian 2 April 2022 29 May 2008 The Sky at Night (1957–present) Blue Peter (1958–present) Grandstand (1958–2007) 1960s Coronation Street (1960–present) Songs of Praise (1961–present) Top of the Pops (1964–2006) Match of the Day (1964–present) Call My Bluff (1965–2005) The Money Programme (1966–2010) 1970s Emmerdale (1972–present) Newsround (1972–present) Superstars (1973–1985, 2003–2005) Last of the Summer Wine (1973–2010) Arena (1975–present) One Man and His Dog (1976–present) Top Gear (1977–2001, 2002–present) Grange Hill (1978–2008) Ski Sunday (1978–present) Antiques Roadshow (1979–present) Question Time (1979–present) 1980s Children in Need (1980–present) Timewatch (1982–present) Countdown (1982–present) The Bill (1984–2010) Channel 4 Racing (1984–2016) Thomas & Friends (1984–present) EastEnders (1985–present) Comic Relief (1985–present) Casualty (1986–present) ChuckleVision (1987–2009) This Morning (1988–present) 1990s Stars in Their Eyes (1990–2006, 2015) A Touch of Frost (1992–2010) Heartbeat (1992–2010) Breakfast with Frost (1993–2005) Room 101 (1994–2007, 2012–2018) Time Team (1994–2013) The National Lottery Draws (1994–2017) Top of the Pops 2 (1994–2017) Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996–2015) Silent Witness (1996–present) Y Clwb Rygbi, Wales (1997–present) Dream Team (1997–2007) Family Affairs (1997–2005) Midsomer Murders (1997–present) Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1998–2014) Bob the Builder (1998–present) British Soap Awards (1999–2019, 2022–present) Holby City (1999–2022)Holby City – an oral history by the show's stars and creators https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/holby-city/a35594857/holby-city-an-oral-history-by-the-shows-stars-and-creators/ Digital Spy 4 April 2022 29 March 2022 My Parents Are Aliens (1999–2006)Rodger James My Parents Are Aliens cast reunite after 17 years as fans left emotional https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/parents-aliens-cast-reunite-after-26543597 BirminghamLive 25 March 2023 en 23 March 2023 2000s Doctors (2000–present) Big Brother (2000–2018) The Weakest Link (2000–2012, 2017–present) The Kumars (2001–2006, 2014) Popworld (2001–2007) Real Crime (2001–2011) UK Top 40 (2002–2005) Harry Hill's TV Burp (2002–2012) Flog It! (2002–2020) Foyle's War (2002–2015) I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2002–present) Spooks (2002–2011) Angelina Ballerina (2002–2005) River City (2002–2026) Tiny Pop (2003–2008) Daily Politics (2003–2018) Peep Show (2003–2015) New Tricks (2003–2015) Politics Show (2003–2011) QI (2003–present) The Royal (2003–2011) This Week (2003–2019) Ending this year ITV News at Ten (1967–2001, 2001–2004, 2008–present) Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983–1986, 2002–2004) Frasier (1993–2004) Animal Hospital (1994–2004) Changing Rooms (1996–2004) Robot Wars (1997–2004, 2016–2018) Winning Lines (1999–2004) Liquid News (2000–2004) 2DTV (2001–2004) As If (2001–2004) The Premiership (2001–2004) 15 Storeys High (2002–2004) Bo' Selecta! (2002–2004) The Vault (2002–2004) Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (2002–2004, 2015–present) Born to Be Different (2003–2004, 2006–2007, 2009, 2011–2013, 2016) Hardware (2003–2004) The Salon (2003–2004) The Smash Hits Chart Show (2003–2004) He Knew He Was Right (2004) The Long Firm (2004) Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004) North & South (2004) Deaths Date Name Age Cinematic Credibility4 JanuaryBrian Gibson59television director (Horizon, Blue Remembered Hills)9 JanuaryLyndon Brook77actor (I, Claudius, The Avengers, The New Avengers, Crown Court)27 JanuaryRikki Fulton79Scottish actor and comedian, surviving half of Francie and Josie29 JanuaryJames Saunders79television scriptwriter (Bloomers)26 FebruaryRussell Hunter79actor (Callan, The Gaffer)6 MarchMax Harris85television theme composer (Porridge, Open All Hours, The Singing Detective)7 MarchMichael Stringer79television production designer (The Hound of the Baskervilles, Paradise Postponed)8 MarchRobin Hunter74actor (Up Pompeii, Poirot)11 MarchAdrian Ropes62Egyptian-born British actor (Emergency – Ward 10, The Avengers, Randall and Hopkirk)18 MarchRichard Marner82Russian-born British actor (Colonel Von Strohm in 'Allo 'Allo!)28 MarchSir Peter Ustinov82British actor (Thirteen at Dinner, Dead Man's Folly)29 MarchHubert Gregg89BBC broadcaster30 MarchAlistair Cooke95BBC broadcaster and transatlantic commentator13 AprilCaron Keating41television presenter (Blue Peter)17 AprilBruce Boa73actor (Fawlty Towers)19 AprilPhilip Locke76actor (Doctor Who)3 MayAnthony Ainley71actor (Doctor Who)14 MayShaun Sutton85writer, director, producer and longest-serving Head of Drama at BBC Television.16 MayHarry Elton74television producer (Coronation Street)29 MayJack Rosenthalhttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/jack-rosenthal-writer-of-tvs-greatest-drama-hits-dies-aged-72-565234.html Jack Rosenthal, writer of TV's greatest drama hits, dies aged 72 The Independent 30 May 2004 25 July 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20081206012552/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/jack-rosenthal-writer-of-tvs-greatest-drama-hits-dies-aged-72-565234.html 6 December 2008 dead London Anthony Barnes Steve Bloomfield72television scriptwriter (Coronation Street, That Was the Week That Was)3 JuneHarold Goodwin86actor (Minder, All Creatures Great and Small, That's My Boy)6 JuneJudy Campbell88actress18 JuneFrederick Jaeger76German-born British actor (Doctor Who)19 JuneColin McCormack62actor (Dixon of Dock Green, EastEnders)23 JunePeter Birrel68actor (Frontier in Space, Alexander the Greatest)1 JulyPeter Barnes73television scriptwriter3 JulyJohn Barron83actor (The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin)17 JulyPat Roach67actor (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, The Last Place on Earth)28 JulyAlexei de Keyser36television producer30 JulyAli Abbasi42Pakistani-born British television presenter7 AugustBernard Levin75journalist and broadcaster (That Was the Week That Was)13 AugustPeter Woodthorpe72actor (Only Fools and Horses, Inspector Morse)18 AugustHugh Manning83actor (Emmerdale, Mrs Thursday)1 SeptemberRichard Everitt71television producer (Coronation Street)7 SeptemberFritha Goodey31actress10 SeptemberGlyn Owen76actor (Emergency – Ward 10, Howards' Way)29 SeptemberChristopher Hancock76actor (EastEnders)6 OctoberPete McCarthy51television presenter13 OctoberIvor Wood72Children's TV director (The Magic Roundabout, The Herbs, The Wombles, Paddington Bear, Postman Pat etc.)14 OctoberSheila Keith84actress (Crossroads, The Pallisers)28 OctoberGraham Roberts75actor (Z-Cars)6 NovemberFred Dibnah66presenter and steeplejack9 NovemberEmlyn Hughes57Former footballer and A Question of Sport captain28 NovemberMolly Weir94actress (Rentaghost)11 DecemberChristopher Blake55actor (Mixed Blessings, That's My Boy)19 DecemberRichard Best88television director (The Avengers)21 DecemberMichael Forrest72actor26 DecemberGarard Green80actor and commentator (Forty Glorious Years) See also 2004 in British music 2004 in British radio 2004 in the United Kingdom List of British films of 2004 References External links List of 2004 British television series at IMDb 2004