Southern Television	30/08/58 - 31/12/81	.
Television South (TVS)	01/01/82 - 31/12/92	aquired by 'Family Channel'
Meridian	01/01/93 -	.

SOUTHERN

Southern Television whose region was initially defined as South of England provided a host of Networked programmes, being particularly strong in childrens shows:

Freewheelers	(1968 - 1972)	(childrens telefantasy)
The Black Arrow	1970s	(childrens historical drama, with a hooded hero)
Runaround	late '70s	(childrens games with comedian Mike Reid - "G..G..Go!" ) RELATED WEB SITE
How!	(1966 - 1981)	(childrens fun with science show with Fred Dineage)
Little Big Time	early '70s	(childrens variety and entertainment show)
The Flockton Flyer	late '70s	(childrens drama filmed on the West Somerset Railway, also with Sheila Fern, Peter Duncan and Gwyneth Strong)
Enid Blyton's Famous Five	late '70s	(childrens drama featuring future 'Dr Who' author Gary Russell)
Worzel Gummidge	(1979 - 1981)	(with former Dr Who, Jon Pertwee. revived in 1987 as 'Worzel Down Under' and filmed in New Zealand)

It's franchise was not renewed in 1981 and it's output (held in the archives) is rarely on show today.

UK Gold

Worzel Gummidge/ Worzel Down Under

*most recent screenings on this channel

TVS	TVS took over in 1982, aiming to become a major contributor to the Network. Some may say that it set it's heights too high; getting too large too soon and causing it's eventual demise. It's productions have included:

CATS Eyes	(1985 - 1987)	(a spin off from LWT's Gentle Touch with Gill Gascoine and Leslie Ash)
Perfect Scoundrels	(1990 - 1992)	(comedy drama with Peter Bowles)
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries	(1987 - )	(most notably Inspector Wexford stories with George Baker)
Fraggle Rock	(1986 -1987)	(in association with Jim Henson)
The Storyteller	(1988)	(for Channel 4 in association with Jim Henson, presented by John Hurt)
Enid Blyton's "Castle of Adventure"	(1990)	(Children's adventure with Susan George and Gareth Hunt)

In 1988 it purchased the US company MTM and eventually lost it's franchise in 1992. Having been purchased by 'The Family Channel', a selection of it's output can often be seen on:

Family Late

after 'Challenge TV'

*part of the 'Sky' multi-channels package

Meridian took over in 1993, putting a great emphasis into regional programming. It has also provided Networked shows such as:

Harnessing Peacocks	(1994)	(drama)
Under the Hammer	(1994)	(with Richard Wilson)

a few one-off dramas and documentaries, plus the recommissioning of 'The Ruth Rendell Mysteries'.

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