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Thames Television continuity

Thames Television had a distinctive on-air personality which imbued a sense of occasion and authority to its viewers in the London area.

For most of its broadcasting years, Thames Television retained in-vision continuity announcers for programme links.

Here we present a selection of continuity links, junctions and general presentation from the 1970s to the 1990s.

David Hamilton in-vision link from 1969

David Hamilton plugs forthcoming coverage of the moon landings in this continuity link from 1969. (Click on the image for a video clip).

In-vision continuity link from 1979

Here's Thames Television announcer 'Diddy' David Hamilton with an in-vision continuity link from 1979. (Click on the image for a video clip).

Thames news junction from 1979

A promo followed by a voice announcement from chief announcer Philip Elsmore as the station prepares to hand over to ITN News at Ten - 'This is Thames ... from London'. (Click on the image for a video clip).

Tom Edwards in-vision link from 1981

Tom Edwards takes up from the end of schools programme into lunchtime programmes for younger viewers in this in-vision link from 1981. (Click on the image for a video clip).

Thames TV Start-up sequence from 1982

Thames TV's formal start-up sequence, this example from 1982. A Thames/IBA caption followed by the authority announcement from chief announcer Philip Elsmore and then a still slide of the Thames ident. The first piece of music used is Perpetuum Mobile and the second is Salute to Thames, a long version of the ident music. (Click on the image for a video clip).

Peter Marshall in-vision link from 1984

Peter Marshall, informally dressed for an afternoon of in-vision continuity in 1984. (Click on the image for a video clip).

Thames industrial action start-up, October 1984

An unusual and rather shaky start-up sequence from Thames Television, dated Tuesday 23 Ocrober, 1984. The shakiness is because technicians are on strike and management are running the show. Your duty announcer is Peter Marshall.

Thames Television Christmas Continuity With Philip Elsmore, 1984

It's Christmas 1984 and Thames Television swaps out its familiar London skyline collage continuity backdrop for the homely look of a fireside armchair, repleat with everyone's favourite Christmas uncle, Philip Elsmore. As ever, click the image to watch the video.

Thames Television start-up 1985

Here's a Thames start-up from 1985, with announcer Philip Elsmore running through the morning's programme schedule before handing over to Tina Jenkins with the Thames News headlines. By 1985, the start-up sequence had been considerably shortened.

Jenny Ogwen in-vision link from 1986

Jenny Ogwen with a daytime in-vision continuity link from 1986 . (Click on the image for a video clip).

Philip Elsmore in-vision link from 1986

Philip Elsmore with a daytime continuity in-vision link from around 1986. (Click on the image for a video clip).

Thames Television closedown with Philip Elsmore (1986)

Here's veteran Thames Television announcer closing down the station for the night in 1986, complete with a weather forecast, in-vision announcement and then cut to programme menu and the Thames station clock. (Click on the image for a video clip).

 

Vivien Stuart in-vision link from 1986

Vivian Stuart with a daytime in-vision continuity link into The Sullivans, from 1986 . (Click on the image for a video clip).

 

NEW Thames Closedown with Victoria Crawford, June 1987

Victoria Crawford bids viewers good night from Thames Television, with a little help from a large, cuddly friend..

Mark Lipscomb continuity link 1990

Mark Lipscomb with a continuity junction into Emmerdale from 1990.

Mark Lipscomb continuity link 1991

A trailer for Van Der Valk, followed by Mark Lipscomb with a continuity junction into Coronation Street from 1991.