Isn't saying don't be 'elitist' about Channel 5 because they do have good programmes a bit like saying Capital play good music too, if you don't mind wadeing through the crap.

Channel 5 have nobody but themselves to blame for the poor perception of the channel. Whole weekend afternoons dedicated to benefits porn and programming even ITV would consider a step to far don't help.

Viacom have had more than enough time to completely overhaul the channel and promote the better intelligent shows.

ITV may well be wall to wall Simon Cowell, soaps and trash a lot of the time but they also have the huge dramas too. Something you would never see on Channel 5. Even Sky 1 attempts to better itself with the original Sky productions!

Channel 5's budget is tiny compared to ITV so lavish original dramas are out of the question.

The benefits shows make up a small part of the schedule, often just an hour per week on Thursdays. Over the last few weeks they've also aired programmes like:

Secrets of Great British Castles (series 3)
The Cars That Made Britain Great
Britain's Greatest Bridges
Building The World's Most Luxurious Cruise Ship
New Lives In The Wild

It's nothing to do with sharing my taste, everyone should be provided for when it comes to TV programming. The "hard of thinking" have enough programming aimed at them - just look at ITV, C5, plus countless other channels. THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR, just like people who want a bit of intelligence from their programmes should be provided for.

No one can dispute the general "dumbing down" on TV, so if me prefering quality rather than insipid banality makes me a snob, then so be it.

I used to love Channel 5 when it launched. Some other gems they had in the early days - there was a live Saturday afternoon sports show (Turnstile?) presented by, I think, Dominic Diamond. From what I remember it was similar to what Soccer Saturday is now. I also seem to remember a live overnight programme that came from the 5 News studio (possibly involving Dominic Diamond again?) that always began with a 5 News Update. Also seem to remember Josie D'Arby presenting something at the weekend, again live - think they linked to shows like Harry and Cosh amongst others.

As mentioned by others, fond memories of things like Night Fever, Whittle, 100%, Jack Docherty, the original Family Affairs before it went all Eastenders. I watched it all the time, I thought it was brilliant.

I used to love the saturday afternoon omnibus of sunset beach usually 15.15 to 18.00. The tv highlight of my weekend.

What I would give to see this again in its entirety! University basically ground to a halt whenever Sunset Beach was on! It was ridiculous but epic at the same time!

God! Haven't seen that in a long long time I had actually forgotten. https://youtu.be/DI4AswnrAxA

97 - 99.


I also remember watching Third Watch. No idea what channel that was on.

I also remember TV series so much better back then?