The Children's Channel, an early cable channel began broadcasting in 1984, it became available to Europe in 1986. IT was initially subscription based and transmitted from 0500 for 10 hours.
The channel was backed by British Telecom, DC Thomson, Thames Television, Central Independent Television and Thorn EMI Home Electronics, the five leading UK companies in the communications business of its time.
It later made the transition to the Astra Satellite in 1989. Renamed TCC, The Children's Channel eventually moved it's market to teens and the channel finally became 'Trouble'.
This is a quote from The Childrens Channel press April 1987: "The Children's Channel is a satellite delivered service which is destined to delight children everywhere, every day of the week. Already an established success in the UK, it is available to cable operators in Northern Europe from Decemberf 1986.
The Children's Channel brings together the best programmes from around the world for young people, linked into magazines with top presenters who have long experience in childrens television. Content is aimed directly at school and pre-school children carefully scheduled to suit their various viewing times.
From animation to drama features, The Children's Channel offers a range of entertainment that is second to none. The Channel also provides a variety of learning opportunities in language, science, computers, social studies and many other areas. A central policy of The Children's Channel is to help children become active viewers rather than passive ones, and to involve other members of the family as well.
About two-thirds of The Children's Channel programmes are made in Europe, and nearly 30% are specially produced for the channel. All commissioned material is made by top producers, using the finest writing talent and presenters available.
The formula works, and the channel's success is reflected in the fact that it is the service which parents prefer theor children to watch - and one they watch themselves. In fact, it is a channel for the whole family.
The service has already been enchanced for European viewers by the addition of two early morning hours of transmission. It will soon be made even more valuable by the introduction of an English language teaching element."
These documents are taken from a Children's Channel press pack from 1986... (click the pics for large images)
The Childrens Channel Ident1987
A fantastic ident, early computer graphics from the 1980's at it's best with chrome lettering no less!
Excellent theme too.
The Childrens Channel Ident1989
Another variation on the bubbles, this time in we see them in full.
2 x continuity clips
More to Come1989
Was this an advertising filler graphic, when there were no ads? Check out a promo for The New Steve and Danny Show too in this clip
Children's Channel Ident1991
For a short time, The Children's Channel dropped 'The' and simply became Children's Channel.
TCC Ident1992
In an attempt to aim their channel at a teen audience, during the afternoon The Children's Channel would become TCC, this name and approach would later stick.
The Children's Channel Ident1993
A New series of live action idents in 1993, this is the main ident. Colour branding of Red, Yellow and Blue... was used in the large collection of idents that aired
