Bring Back Knightmare
Please Note: These TES Bring Back Knightmare pages have now been superceded by a new Bring Back Knightmare campaign site run by Alan Boyd. http://www.bringbackknightmare.co.uk
Why did Knightmare end in 1994?
This is an often asked question, and one where there is no simple answer. Knightmare came to an end after series 8 1994 because of a variety of reasons:
(Most of the following is a summary of Tim Child's History of Knightmare Part 4 - The Day the Dungeon Died. Please read it if you would like the full story on Knightmare's demise and after-effects).
When Knightmare was devised in 1985, the age of Children's ITV viewers was from 6-15. By 1994, it was 6-10. The older 11-15 audience (which Knightmare was aimed at) were migrating to video gaming or satellite TV.
If Knightmare was to continue, while it would still have this older audience, their contribution to Children's ITV viewing "were regarded as insignificant (even ignored)".
Dawn Airey, the Controller of Children's Television at ITV at the time therefore decided to give Knightmare an eighth series, but with only 10-episodes, to make way for a new Broadsword show - Virtually Impossible.
Virtually Impossible was NOT designed to replace Knightmare, but more to target the new lower aged CITV audience, which would explain why many Knightmare fans didn't really enjoy the new show.
In mid-February 1995, it was confirmed that there would be no more Knightmare. A letter from Tim Child was sent out to everyone who had submitted an SAE for an application form if there was to be a ninth series:
Dear Adventurer,
Thank you for your application
to compete on Knightmare.
Sadly we must inform you that after eight years this adventure
game has come to an end, and there is no intention to return it
to CITV.
Continue to A Brief History