TV since 1981

Events in this year Top 10 programmes 20 reported channels
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1980s
1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1993

Government relaxes rules on ITV takeovers
January
Commencement of new ITV franchise period: Westcountry Television replaced TSW; Meridian Broadcasting replaced TVS; Carlton Television replaced Thames; GMTV replaced TV-am and Teletext replaced ORACLE. The ITC replaced the IBA.
Channel 4 sells its own airtime
May
Wire TV launched, UK cable television's first cable only entertainment channel
September
UK Living launches on cable & satellite
Nickelodeon, JV between BSkyB and MTV, launches on cable & satellite
BSkyB launches basic subscription package, including some non-Sky channels
October
QVC launched on cable & satellite