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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Michael Hogan

REVEALED: Channel 4 s 40 best shows ranked | Rare Historical Photos

Giddy and deliriously funny … Smack the Pony.
Giddy and deliriously funny … Smack the Pony. Photograph: Channel 4

On 2 November 1982 at 4.44pm (see what they did there?), announcer Paul Coia said: “Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to be able to say to you: welcome to Channel 4.” That multicoloured 4 logo had just appeared on our screens for the first time, soundtracked by a four-note musical ident, titled Fourscore. That’s a lot of fours.

In the ensuing four decades, the terrestrial broadcaster has aired pioneering drama, nurtured comedy talent, supported cutting-edge journalism and created no end of nifty factual formats. Reality! Dating! Food! Property! Post-pub filth! More dating, this time with gratuitous nudity!

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