FACTUAL AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
Just Williams1982 Just Williams was a documentary series and one of the first series to be filmed by TVS. Peter Williams was already a prominent documentary producer who had previously worked Thames and became TVS' head of factual programmes.
Although a regional series, four episodes were broadcast in 1985 on Channel 4.
The Real World1982
Michael Rodd, a former Tomorrow's World presenter joined TVS to present this Tomorrow's World-style science programme. It was also on The Real World that TVS broadcast the first 3D television pictures in the UK.
The Other Side of Me1982
A series of half hour films in which well known personalities talk about their spiritual side whilst reflecting upon their career.
Like several early TVS series, this programme makes extensive use of the TVS corporate typeface - Clearface Gothic.
In the Mouth of the Dragon1982
Michael Rodd traveled to Hong Kong to report on the final fifthteen years of Britain's lease on the country and the implications of the hand back to Chinese rule.
Broadcast on in a post News at Ten slot with a networked repeat on Sunday mornings.
Space Invaders1982
A documentary series looking at growing satellitte technologies. Presented by Michael Rodd (look out for him walking across the bottom of the picture in the second clip).
Produced for Channel Four.
7 Days1982
An early current affairs programme from 1982, 7 Days lasted for just one series. Like many early TVS programmes the titles make good use of the TVS branding and the corporate font - Clearface Gothic, this is one of the more creative examples.
The Spice of Life1983
Documentary series looking at the world of spices and their use in international cooking. Narrated by Edward Woodward.
There is no audio on this clip.
The Bottom Line1983
Ten-part series about business and industry in the United Kingdom.
Produced for Channel Four.
Questions1984
David Jacobs chaired a panel who took questions, largely focused on regional issues, from members of the audience in this regional disscussion programme.
So more than a little like Question Time then?
Earth Year 20501984
Sue Jay explores what the world may be like in the year 2050.
Produced for Channel Four.
Enterprise South1985
Former Coast to Coast presenter Khalid Aziz presented and produced this regional business series which also makes good use of the then Coast to Coast set. As mentioned in this clip the programme started in a monthly slot but by 1985 moved to twice a week alternating with Farm Focus.
The Press Gang1985
Documentary series following the Hastings Observer as it is taken over by new management and relaunched.
Produced for Channel Four.
Regrets?1985
John Stapleton presents this interview series in which well known people discuss important moments in their lives. A dull programme but a nice title sequence featuring a guest appearance by Humpty Dumpty.
Unit 7311985
A Peter Williams documentary about the work of Japanese Imperial Army unit 731 which experimented with chemical warfare in World War II.
Agenda1986?
Agenda was TVS' weekly political programme. This set of animated titiles make good use of the TVS signature tune and coloured post-it notes.
Agenda1986
Llew Gardener presents this edition of Agenda. A different, less colourful set of titles here but still making good use of that TVS signature tune.
Farm Focus1986
This farming news magazine programme ran for many years on TVS, presented and produced by David Sawday.
Questions1987 An edition of the TVS answer to Question Time. David Jacobs still chairs the panel and Malcolm Brown still introduces him but the title sequence is much less animated than in 1984.
Facing South1989
Facing South was a long running current affairs series. Steve McDonnell was responsible for presenting and producingmany editions.
When TVS ceased broadcasting Steve moved to Meridian to produce their equivalent to Facing South, Meridian Focus.
The Human Factor1990 TVS human interest documentary series focusing on individuals who overcame adversity. The series had a long run on TVS from 1984 until 1992 and was often shown accross the ITV network.
Airport '901990 (Obviously)
Fern Britton and Nick Owen presented live reports from Gatwick Airport during one weekend in July. The programme was produced in part by the news service and reports were filed from the likes of Chris Peacock and Mike Debens (who was also one of the producers).
Moneywise1990
Frank Bough presents a guide to earning money, spending money and making your money go further - or at least that's how he describes it.
Country Ways1990 Country Ways began on TVS in 1984 and continued running on Meridian (and later other ITV regions) until 2008. A gentle programme looking at the nature and people who live in the countryside in the South of england. In the late 1980s with the success of the programme a couple of spin-off programmes were introduced (see below).
Nature and Wildlife/A Taste of the South1990
These two series formed as a spin off to Country Ways. Nature and Wildlife focused soley on the animals and green areas of the south while A Taste of the South focused on individuals and their views of the countryside of the South.
Contryside Close1991
David Sawday presented and produced this programme looking at the working of the countryside, agricultural issues and rural affairs.
Police 51991
Police 5 had a successful run in several ITV regions including HTV and Central, by the mid eighties Shaw Taylor had arrived on TVS screens and could also be seen presenting the programme on LWT - although their version of the titles didn't feature the theme tune.
