Children's ITV 1994: A banner of the 'stay safe' campaign in late October / early November of 1994.

Children's ITV - 1994

By Keith McDonald

A review of Children's ITV in 1994, especially the early autumn when Knightmare Series 8 was broadcast.


The end is nigh

Children's ITV 1994: a 'caution, intense television viewing' campaign.

In June 1994, Vanessa Chapman became the Controller of Children's Programmes at ITV. Many discussions took place behind the scenes about Knightmare's future.

Why Knightmare ended

Meanwhile, CITV continued with the out-of-vision continuity established by the previous controller, Dawn Airey. The teaser for Knightmare used a scroll.

Children's ITV 1994: The 'Knightmare next' promo, featuring the Knightmare titles.

Children's ITV 1994: The 'Knightmare next' promo, featuring Lord Fear.

There was also a post-Knightmare continuity teaser for the following week, featuring Lissard.

Children's ITV 1994: A promo for the following week's Knightmare episode, featuring Lissard.

Well, next week our four hardy friends lurch deeper into the trap-laden dungeon. Lord Fear doubles his resolve to stop them with even more fearsome foes. Are they up to the job? Find out next time!

Voiceover

DownloadAn unusual trailer, shown after Episode 2. (259.5kB)

Flagship trailers

Trailers included an autumn campaign called 'Feel the Dark', which promoted flagship programmes such as Children's Ward, Knightmare, How 2, Wolf, and Bad Influence.

Children's ITV 1994: A 'feel the dark' campaign trailer.

Another conceptual trailer showcased the variety of programming on offer. Knightmare gets categorised under 'Strategy', with keywords including war, game, competition and advantage.

Children's ITV 1994: a conceptual word-cloud trailer to show the variety in the programming.

Another took its influence from Knightmare and early VR technology, as a boy wearing a helmet dives into the CITV logo.

Children's ITV 1994: A 'locate' campaign takes its influence from Knightmare and VR technology.

Stay Safe

Finally, CITV's Stay Safe campaign: a public service information broadcast that encouraged children to take extra care on Bonfire Night.

Children's ITV 1994: Part of the Bonfire Night 'Stay safe' campaign.

It aired ahead of the penultimate episode of Knightmare (4 November 1994), when winning dungeoneer Dunstan evaded fireballs (and other hazards) to reach Level 3.

Children's ITV 1994: Part of the Bonfire Night 'Stay safe' campaign.

What became of CITV after Knightmare?

In 1998, Nigel Pickard became the new controller. He decided to reinstate the in-vision service, with new presenters and a new studio.

In 2004, the CITV studio was converted into Central's newsroom and out-of-vision continuity returned.

CITV celebrated its 20th birthday in 2003, and lots of familiar faces returned.

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