Channel 4 Breakfiller & In-Vision Closedown 1983

19th / 20th February 1983 - The late night film The Killers falls victim to the IPA / Equity dispute that blighted Channel 4's first couple of years on air - instead of adverts we get captions and music.
Apologies for the somewhat ropey picture quality at points during this upload.

[@ceefaxbbctv8788]

What a great clip and how very interesting to think back to these days of industrial disputes and interval tunes in prime time telly. Magnificent!

[@joannegray5138]

Never seen an early Channel 4 break filler that fully explains why there were no ads. Maybe it varied from region to region, but all.Tyne Tees 4 viewers got was a brief "[programme name] follows shortly". Don't remember Channel 4 showing the strike affected Corrie episodes either - something like that would have stuck in my mind had I known about it. Thanks for sharing new information (well, new to me, anyway).

[@CaptainSiCo]

Joanne Gray All regions got the same break filler captions when there were no ads to show. From about 22nd January to 4th April 1983 the break fillers included the explanation about the Equity/IPA dispute - there were two versions; after a few weeks the explanation was shortened slightly. I remember seeing these in the Tyne Tees region.

[@sdaonline]

Excellent clip as always - rare to see C4 in-vision!

[@CaptainSiCo]

David Stranks on duty at Charlotte Street. Rare to hear two different tracks played over the 'follows shortly' caption as in the first example here. If it's a late night film, it's quite possible the local ITV station had closed down for the night, hence there being no commercials inserted. Of course, as you correctly state, these captions could appear at any time of day. Continuity around that unscheduled Corrie omnibus is on Sid N's excellent channel.

[@steviegTVreturns]

Ahh yes Coronation Street on Channel 4 because Granada went on strike and the Monday episode was postponed as a result of it.

[@MediaCentUK]

It was also something to do with Derdrie

[@michealdraw6419]

Channel 4 advertisement loss and closedown - circa early 1983, by then, Channel Four had been a year old (if it was 2nd November 1983).

[@michealdraw6419]

Besides, if there was a 3rd commercial broadcaster (at the time), my caption would have said.. Name: Zone Channel Network '[Programme name] [Part no. (Necessary)] will follow shortly.'

[@matani2001]

Why would the loss of advertisments be a hindrance to the viewer? I mean, instead of having to watch minutes upon minutes of people trying to sell you products, you got some pleasant music and time for yourself Am I missing something here?

[@DuncanMcA]

Well in the long-run no ads no channel

[@applemask]

Or does it?