Challenge (TV channel)
- ️Wed Sep 01 1993
Challenge | |
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Launched | 1 September 1993 |
Owned by | British Sky Broadcasting |
Picture format | 16:9, 576i (SDTV) |
Audience share | 0.5% 0.1% (+1) (August 2011, BARB) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Formerly called | The Family Channel (1993-1997) Challenge TV (1997-2002) Challenge? (2002-2003) |
Sister channel(s) | Pick TV, Sky1, Sky2, Sky Arts, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Livingit, Sky Living Loves, Sky Movies, Sky Movies Box Office, Sky News, Sky Sports, Sky Sports News |
Timeshift service | Challenge +1 |
Website | Official Website |
Availability | |
Terrestrial | |
Freeview | Channel 46 |
BT Vision | Channel 46 |
Satellite | |
Sky | Channel 125 Channel 164 (+1) |
Cable | |
Virgin Media | Channel 139 Channel 140 (+1) |
WightCable | Channel 42/115 |
Smallworld Cable | Channel 129 |
IPTV | |
Freewire | Channel 125 |
Challenge is a United Kingdom digital TV channel that mostly airs programmes dedicated to gameshows. It is owned by British Sky Broadcasting. The channel mostly transmits repeats of programmes acquired from UK terrestrial channel archives (e.g. BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5) and a few from around the world (e.g. NBC (USA), Nine Network (Australia), M-Net (South Africa)), with a few original productions commissioned by the channel itself.
Contents
History
The Family Channel UK
The station was originally called The Family Channel. From its launch on 1 September 1993 to 31 January 1997, the channel aired a mixture of genre shows mainly including sitcoms, game shows, dramas and entertainment. The station come about when TVS was sold on 1 February 1993 to the American Company International Family Entertainment Inc. which included the ownership of MTM Enterprises. IFE subsequently launched a UK version of The Family Channel based in The Maidstone Studios and using some elements of the TVS programme archive. Flextech were a partner in the venture, taking a 39% stake in the business.[1]
The Family Channel did produce some UK original programming (see below), but heavily relied upon content from MTM Enterprises/TVS archive and imports from the USA. It was claimed that the channel produced more original series worldwide than any other cable or satellite network.
Family Challenge Weekend
In 1996, IFE sold its remaining 61% share to Flextech, giving them full ownership of the venture. On 1 February 1997, Flextech re-branded the channel to Challenge TV, focusing mainly on game shows. Between this interim period, the channel introduced a new strand called "Family Challenge Weekend".
During the week, The Family Channel continued to broadcast its wide range of programmes, but during the weekend, live in-vision presenters were introduced with chances to win prizes, with all of the programmes being quiz/gameshows. Unfortunately, the deal did not include any of the programme archive which included many TVS game shows, such as Catchphrase and All Clued Up, but the channel did continually broadcast these series until 2000.
Challenge TV
On 1 February 1997, The Family Channel was re-branded as Challenge TV and mainly focuses on gameshows taken from a variety of terrestrial and digital channel archives. Among the few non-gameshows, it has aired the short-lived U.S. drama Dr. Vegas in 2005, and also the 1995 crime drama film Casino.
The channel was originally a primetime block from 17:00 to 00:00 and shared its channel slot with The Children's Channel (which closed on 3 April 1998) and TV Travel Shop until 1999, which resulted in Challenge being able to broadcast 24 hours a day. From 1997 to 1998, between 00:30 and 06:00, the channel was branded as "Family Late" which continued to broadcast series from the old Family Channel schedule.
Presentation
When Challenge TV started, a strand called Prize Time was introduced. It was originally hosted by Andy Crane, Andrea Boardman and Pat Sharp. Carryl Varley and Kevin Duala joined later on in the year.
- Prize Time (1997 - 1999): A slight revamp took place on 27 July 1998, which included the launch of Challenge Late (broadcasting from 21:00 to 00:30), which brought the introduction of general entertainment programmes with a quiz element instead of the traditional game show it had been known for prior.
- The Games Room (1999 - 2000) included hosts: Kevin Duala, Sonya Saul, Carryl Varley and Lisa Rogers.
- iPlay (2000 - 2002) hosts included: Carryl Varley and Toby Anstis.
- On 20 May 2002, the channel was re-named again, becoming Challenge?, with all in-vision presenters being dropped, in favour of out-of-vision links, but viewers could still send in e-mails to announcers who would read them out and in addition to this, the closing credits of a programme were shown in full instead of cutting them out. The logo used in this era looked similar to a street sign. One of the idents used involved classic board games, card games, and arcade games like Asteroids and Space Invaders.
- On 30 June 2003, the "?" part of the channel name was dropped and all live announcers were also dropped, in favour of pre-recorded out-of-vision continuity links. The animated idents used in 2003/4 included a man going through a long traffic jam in a big water ball by bouncing on top of the cars, and some women revolving a table to eat some cheesecake.
- On 1 November 2004, the channel's presentation was revamped for the third time. The logo was a more simplified version of the 2002-2004 logo.
- In September 2006, the presentation was changed for the fourth time. The logo and idents used in this era were more lively than its predecessor. The presentation was created by Liquid TV.
- On 3 June 2008, the presentation was revamped for the fifth time. It was also the channel's first revamp to be broadcast in the widescreen format. The logo used in this era of the channel was a simplified version of the 2006-2008 logo. Idents used involved a yellow object (eg. a paper plane) exploding to transform into the channel's logo. The presentation used in this era were made by Mainframe Motion Shop.
- On 13 September 2011, the channel went through a revamp for the sixth time. This is Challenge's first revamp since Sky took full control of the channel on 1 February 2011. Idents include a Rubik-style cube, a fruit machine, a tilting puzzle, and jumbled up letters. There are also idents themed upon the conveyor belt used in the classic game show, The Generation Game, and also the classic arcade game Pong. The company that produced the presentation for this current era of the channel is Cagney TV. [1]
Additional information
The channel also aired some poker game shows including World Poker Tour, Celebrity Blackjack and Casino Casino, this also launched a very short-lived spin-off channel in 2006, Player (which was replaced just several months later by Bravo 2), it mainly focused on the poker-related programming that Challenge had transmitted. Challenge only aired programmes in the letterbox format (4:3), but on 3 June 2008, it switched to the widescreen format (16:9) along with all other Living TV Group channels. This was coupled with a revamped logo and a new set of idents. The channel used to have interactive features for digital cable and satellite viewers watching certain shows, enabling them to play along at home, and it used to offer many games and competitions before the start of each programme, during commercial breaks and after the end of each programme.
BSkyB takeover
On 15 September 2010, it was announced that it will on an unconfirmed date close its sister channels Bravo, Bravo 2 and Channel One. Bravo, Bravo 2 and Challenge Jackpot closed on 1 January 2011 and Channel One closed a exactly a month later on 1 February 2011 and Channel One's Freeview space on the Freeview multiplex was used by Challenge to launch on the platform two days later. On 25 January 2011, it was confirmed that Total Nonstop Action Wrestling programming would start broadcasting on Challenge from 3 February 2011. It was also confirmed on the same day that the channel number for Freeview would be 46.[2][3][4][4]
Programming
Current programming made by Challenge
Name of show | Originally aired | When aired by Challenge |
---|---|---|
Auntie's Smalls | 2008 - 2009 | 2008 - present |
Bullseye | 2006 | 2006 - present |
Defectors | 2001 - 2002 | 2001 - present |
Fort Boyard | 2003 | 2003 - present |
House of Games | 2004 | 2004 - present |
It's Not What You Know | 2008 | 2008 - present |
Les Dennis' Home Video Heroes | 2008 | 2008 - present |
Roy Walker's Gameshow Moments | 2009 | 2009 - present |
Roy Walker's TV Bloomers | 2009 | 2009 - present |
Showbiz Darts | 2006 | 2006 - present |
Stake Out | 2001 | 2001 - present |
Take It or Leave It | 2006 - 2008 | 2006 - present |
The Pyramid Game | 2007 | 2007 - present |
TV Scrabble | 2001 - 2003 | 2001 - present |
UK's Strongest Man | 2011 - present | 2011 - present |
Vegas Virgins | 2005 | 2005 - present |
World's Greatest Gambling Scams | 2006 | 2006 - present |
Former programming made by Challenge
Name of show | Originally aired | When aired by Challenge | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
A Word in Your Ear | 1995 | 1995 - 1998 | Hosted by The Krypton Factor's Gordon Burns. Originally made for the BBC. |
Absolute Cobblers | 1999 | 1999 - 2002 | Based on an Australian format. |
Casino Casino | 2003 - 2005 | 2003 - 2005 | Presented by Bob Mercer (series 1) and Martin Kemp (series 2). |
Celebrity Addicts | 2003 | 2003 - 2006 | A variation of the Telly Addicts format. |
Celebrity Poker Club | 2003 - 2005 | 2003 - 2005 | A spin-off of Channel 4's Late Night Poker series. |
Comedy of Errors | 2002 | 2002 - 2003 | Home video clip show presented by Richard Orford. |
Don't Drink the Water | 199? | 199? - 1999 | Comedy quiz show based around travel played by two teams of celebrities, hosted by Paul Coia. |
Drunken Businessmen | 2003 | 2003 - 2005 | Another Japanese game show. Used as a filler. It was last shown on Challenge in 2005 as part of 'Japanese Day'. |
Endurance UK | 1997 - 1998 | 1997 - 2010 | The UK version of the cult Japanese show, Za Gaman. |
Extreme Endurance | 2003 | 2003 - 2005 | Short 15-minute segments of Za Gaman. |
Family Catchphrase | 1994 | 1994 - 2008 | A spin-off from Catchphrase. |
Fort Boyard Takes on the World | 2004 | 2004 - 2008 | A 10-part series featuring clips of the different versions of Fort Boyard from around the globe, it was presented by Tim Vine. |
Game Central | 2002 | 2002 | A phone-in segment. |
GameFace | 2011 | 2011 | Replaced by The Blurb. |
Gameplay | 199? | 199? | A live phone-in segment. |
Gameshow Gold | 2006 | 2006 - 2009 | Series featuring clips from classic gameshows. |
Ginx Files | 2011 | 2011 | Also replaced by The Blurb. |
Glory Ball | 2005 | 2005 | Another live phone-in segment |
Incredible Edible Challenge | 2003 | 2003 | A filler programme in which Japanese chefs cook unusual things. It was also the last programme to air on defunct sister channel Ftn. |
iPlay | 2000 - 2002 | 2000 - 2002 | Replacement for The Games Room. |
Karaoke Challenge | 1997 | 1997 - 2010 | Karaoke-themed game show, presented by various hosts, including Ted Robbins. |
Kenji's Video Letter Home | 2003 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Monkey Business | 2003 | 2003 - 2004 | A 10-minute filler. |
Nortonland | 2007 | 2007 - 2008 | Clip show featuring games played on Graham Norton's Channel 4 show, V Graham Norton. |
Poker Den | 2005 | 2005 | Presented by Jesse May with commentary by Grub Smith. |
Prize Time | 1997 - 1998 | 1997 - 1998 | Replaced by The Games Room. |
Reverse-a-Word | 2004 | 2004 | 7-minute pilot, presented by BBC Radio 1 DJ, Scott Mills. |
Roll with It | 1995 | 1995 - 1997 | Music-themed quiz show, presented by Keith Chegwin. |
Sale of the Century | 1997 - 1998 | 1997 - 2003 | Challenge's version of Anglia Television's classic gameshow, it was presented by Keith Chegwin. |
Say the Word | 1997 | 1997 - 2008 | Hosted by one of Challenge's original continuity presenters, Andy Crane. |
Second Guess | 1993 - 1994 | 1993 - 1998 | Family gameshow, presented by Andrew O'Connor. |
Showbiz Blackjack | 2006 | 2006 | Presented by Matt Brown. |
Showbiz Poker | 2006 | 2006 | Presented by Lisa Rogers. |
Soap Addicts | 2002 - 2003 | 2002 - 2006 | Another variation of the Telly Addicts format. |
Split Second | 1997 - 1998 | 1997 - 1999 | Hosted by Aonghus McAnally. |
Sport Addicts | 2002 | 2002 - 2004 | Another variation of the Telly Addicts format. |
Sushi TV | 2003 - 2004 | 2003 - 2005 | Series featuring clips from various Japanese gameshows, presented by Julian Clary (series 1) and Craig Charles (series 2). |
That's the Question | 2007 | 2007 | The UK version of the American gameshow, it was presented by Sarah Cawood. |
The Blurb | 2011 | 2011 | Replaced both GameFace and Ginx Files, now only available through Ginx TV's website. |
The Cooler | 1998 | 1998 - 2003 | Late-night gameshow presented by Donna Air and Iain Coyle. |
The Games Room | 1999 - 2000 | 1999 - 2000 | A short-lived replacement for Prize Time. |
Totally Top Trumps | 2004 | 2004 | Short-lived game show, loosely based on the famous card game, presented by Andy Goldstein, only lasted 20 episodes. |
Trivial Pursuit | 1993 - 1994 | 1993 - 2008 | Loosely based on the board game of the same name, it was presented by Tony Slattery. |
Ultimate Guinness World Records | 2004 | 2004 - 2009 | Now airs on Kix!. |
Winner Takes All | 1997 | 1997 - 2002 | Challenge's version of Yorkshire Television's gameshow, it was presented by Bobby Davro. |
Current programming originally shown by other broadcasters
Name of show | Original channel(s) | Originally aired | When aired by Challenge |
---|---|---|---|
3-2-1 | ITV | 1978 - 1988 | 1997 - present |
8 Out of 10 Cats | Channel 4 | 2005 - present | 2007 - present |
Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old? | Sky1 | 2007 - 2010 | 2011 - present |
Auntie's Bloomers | BBC One | 1991 - 2001 | 2009 - present |
Back in the Day | Channel 4 | 2005 | 2009 - present |
Blankety Blank | BBC One/ITV | 1979 - 2002 | 2000 - present |
Blockbusters | ITV | 1983 - 1993 | 1997 - present |
Bite Size Brainiac | Sky1 | 2011 - present | |
Bullseye | ITV | 1981 - 1995 | 2003 - present |
Catchphrase | ITV | 1986 - 2002 | 1993 - present |
Classic Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? | ITV | 1998 - present | 2004 - present |
Dale's Supermarket Sweep | ITV | 1993 - 2007 | 2005 - present |
Deal or No Deal | Channel 4 | 2005 - present | 2011 - present |
Don't Forget the Lyrics! | Sky1 | 2008 - 2009 | 2011 - present |
Family Fortunes | ITV | 1980 - 2002 | 1997 - present |
Fun House | CITV | 1989 - 1999 | 2009 - present |
Gladiators (Original) | ITV | 1992 - 2000 | 1999 - present |
Gladiators (Revival) | Sky1 | 2008 - 2009 | 2011 - present |
Gladiators G-Zone | Sky1 | 2011 - present | |
Golden Balls | ITV | 2007 - 2009 | 2009 - present |
Guinness World Records Smashed | Sky1 | 2009 | 2011 - present |
Impact Wrestling | Spike TV (USA) | 2005 - present | 2011 - present |
In It to Win It | BBC One | 2002 - present | 2009 - present |
MXC | Spike TV (USA) | 2003 - 2007 | 2005 - present |
Ninja Warrior | TBS (Japan) | 1997 - present | 2007 - present |
Oops TV | Sky1 | 2009 - 2010 | 2011 - present |
Play Your Cards Right | ITV | 1980 - 2003 | 2002 - present |
Pointless | BBC Two/BBC One | 2009 - present | 2011 - present |
Room 101 | BBC Two/BBC One | 1994 - present | 2009 - present |
Sell Me the Answer | Sky1 | 2009 - 2010 | 2011 - present |
Shooting Stars | BBC Two/BBC Choice | 1995 - 2011 | 2008 - present |
Take Your Pick | ITV | 1992 - 1998 | 2008 - present |
Takeshi's Castle | TBS (Japan) | 1986 - 1989 | 2002 - present |
The Crystal Maze | Channel 4 | 1990 - 1995 | 1998 - present |
The Krypton Factor | ITV | 1977 - 2010 | 1999 - present |
The Weakest Link (UK) | BBC One/BBC Two | 2000 - 2012 | 2007 - present |
TNA Xplosion | Syndication (USA) | 2002 - present | 2011 - present |
Unbeatable Banzuke | TBS (Japan) | 1995 - 2002 | 2008 - present |
Virtual Racing | Sky Bet | 2011 - present | 2011 - present |
Wheel of Fortune | ITV | 1988 - 2001 | 2002 - present |
Winning Lines | BBC One | 1999 - 2004 | 2010 - present |
Wipeout | BBC One | 1994 - 2002 | 2008 - present |
Women of Ninja Warrior | TBS (Japan) | 2001 - 2009 | 2007 - present |
World's Strongest Man | Bravo | 2009 - 2010 | 2011 - present |
You Bet! | ITV | 1988 - 1997 | 2002 - present |
Former programming originally shown by other broadcasters
Name of show | Original channel(s) | Originally aired | When aired by Challenge | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 vs. 100 | BBC One | 2006 - 2009 | 2008 - 2010 | |
15 to 1 | Channel 4 | 1988 - 2003 | 1998 - 2010 | |
60 Minute Makeover | ITV | 2004 - present | 2009 | The series that Challenge shown in 2009 now airs on Sky Livingit. |
100% | Channel 5 | 1997 - 2001 | 1998 - 2005 | |
All Clued Up | ITV | 1988 - 1991 | 1993 - 2000 | |
Ballbreakers | GSN (USA) | 2005 - 2006 | 2007 | |
Banzai | E4 | 2001 - 2004 | 2006 - 2009 | Now airs on 4Music and Dave. |
Bargain Hunters | HTV West | 2002 - 2004 | 2004 - 2005 | |
Battle Dome | Syndication (USA) | 1999 - 2001 | 2002 - 2003 | It also aired on Bravo. |
Beadle's About | ITV | 1986 - 1996 | 1999 - 2007 | |
Better Gardens | ITV | 2000 | 2004 - 2005 | |
Better Homes | ITV | 1999 - 2003 | 2004 - 2005 | |
Big Break | BBC One | 1991 - 2002 | 2006 - 2008 | |
Blind Date | ITV | 1985 - 2003 | 2006 | |
Boot Sale Challenge | ITV | 1998 - 2004 | 2003 - 2005 | |
Brainstorm | BBC One | 1988 | Unknown | |
Bragging Rights | OLN (USA) | 2003 | 2004 | |
Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment | Channel 5 | 1997 - 2000 | 1998 - 2003 | |
Britain's Worst Driver | Channel 5 | 2002 - 2003 | 2008 - 2009 | |
Britain's Worst Celebrity Driver | Channel 5 | 2003 - 2005 | 2008 - 2009 | |
Bruce's Price is Right | ITV | 1995 - 2001 | 2002 - 2009 | |
Busman's Holiday | ITV | 1985 - 1993 | 1997 - 1999 | |
Candid Camera | ITV | 1960 - 1968 | 1999 - 2001 | |
Can't Cook, Won't Cook | BBC One | 1995 - 2000 | 2008 - 2010 | |
Carnal Knowledge | ITV | 1996 - 1997 | 1998 - 2003 | |
Cash Cab | ITV | 2005 - 2007 | 2007 - 2009 | Now airs on Quest. |
Celebrity Blackjack | GSN (USA) | 2004 - 2005 | 2005 - 2006 | |
Celebrity Poker Showdown | Bravo (USA) | 2003 - 2006 | 2004 - 2005 | |
Celebrity Ready Steady Cook | BBC One | 1997 - 2003 | 2008 - 2010 | |
Celebrity Squares | ITV | 1993 - 1996 | 2000 - 2007 | |
Chain Letters | ITV | 1987 - 1997 | 2009 - 2011 | |
Concentration | ITV | 1988 - 1990 | 1997 - 1998 | |
Crackerjack | Children's BBC | 1955 - 1984 | 2002 - 2003 | |
Creative Power Breaking | Broadcaster unknown | 2004 | 2004 | |
Criss Cross Quiz | ITV | 1957 - 1967 | 2001 - 2003 | |
Crosswits | ITV | 1985 - 1998 | 1998 - 2001 | |
Cruel Summer | Trouble | 2001 - 2003 | 2009 - 2010 | |
Distraction (UK) | Channel 4 | 2003 - 2004 | 2007 - 2010 | Now airs on 4Music. |
Distraction (US) | Comedy Central (USA) | 2005 - 2006 | 2007 - 2011 | |
DIY Dads | RTÉ (Ireland) | 2004 - 2005 | 2004 | |
Dog Eat Dog | BBC One | 2001 - 2002 | 2004 - 2008 | |
Don't Try This at Home! | ITV | 1998 - 2001 | 2003 - 2008 | |
Dream Holiday Homes | Channel 5 | 2003 | 2004 | |
Dr. Vegas | CBS (USA) | 2004 | 2005 | |
Eggheads | BBC One/BBC Two | 2003 - present | 2007 - 2011 | |
Extreme Dodgeball | GSN (USA) | 2004 - 2005 | 2005 - 2010 | |
Fear Factor (US) | NBC (USA) | 2001 - present | 2006 - 2009 | |
Fear Factor (UK) | Sky1 | 2002 - 2004 | 2006 - 2009 | |
Fear Factor (Australia) | Nine Network (Australia) | 2002 | Unknown | |
Fear Factor (South Africa) | M-Net (South Africa) | Unknown | Unknown | Now airs on The Africa Channel. |
Fort Boyard | Channel 5 | 1998 - 2001 | 2002 - 2006 | |
Friends Like These | BBC One | 1999 - 2003 | 2005 - 2008 | |
Gagsters | The WB (USA) | 2002 - 2004 | 2009 - 2011 | |
Gambit | ITV | 1978 - 1985 | Unknown | |
GamesMaster | Channel 4 | 1992 - 1998 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Give Us a Clue | ITV | 1984 - 1991 | 1997 - 2002 | |
Gladiators 2000 | Syndication (USA) | 1994 - 1996 | 1999 | |
Global E-Missions | ITV | 2001 | 2002 - 2003 | |
Going for Gold | BBC One | 1987 - 1996 | 2002 - 2007 | |
Going Straight | Broadcaster unknown | Unknown | 2004 - 2007 | |
Guinness World Records Primetime | FOX (USA) | 1998 - 2001 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Guinness World Records (UK) | ITV | 1999 - 2000 | 2004 - 2006 | |
Hot Property | Channel 5 | 1997 - 2003 | 1999 - 2005 | |
Housebusters | Channel 5 | 1998 - 2005 | 2002 - 2003 | Still airs on Channel 5. |
House of Dreams | A&E (USA) | 2004 | 2004 | |
House Wars | Broadcaster unknown | 2003 | 2004 | |
How Do I Look? | Style Network (USA) | 2004 - present | 2004 | Now airs on the UK version of Style Network. |
I Dare You | UPN (USA) | 2000 | 2004 - 2007 | |
Ice Warriors | ITV | 1998 | 2002 - 2004 | |
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! (US) | ABC (USA) | 2003 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Interceptor | ITV | 1989 - 1990 | 2001 - 2010 | |
International King of Sports | Channel 5 | 2002 - 2004 | 2004 - 2006 | |
It's a Gift | Broadcaster unknown | 1999 - 2001 | 2002 - 2003 | |
It's a Knockout | BBC One/Channel 5 | 1966 - 2001 | 1993 - 2006 | |
It's Anybody's Guess | ITV | 2000 | 2001 - 2002 | |
Iron Chef | Fuji TV (Japan) | 1993 - 1999 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Kenny vs. Spenny | CBC/Showcase (Canada) | 2003 - 2010 | 2004 - 2007 | The show has also aired on FX. |
King of the Castle | ITV | 2001 | 2001 - 2002 | |
Knightmare | Children's ITV | 1987 - 1994 | 2002 - 2007 | |
Larry Grayson’s Generation Game | BBC One | 1978 - 1982 | 2005 - 2008 | |
London's Hottest Properties | ITV | 2004 - 2005 | 2004 | One of the few lifestyle programmes that has aired on Challenge. |
Love at First Sight | Sky1 | 1992 | 1997 - 1998 | |
Make My Day | E4 | 2002 - 2003 | 2004 | |
Mastermind | BBC Two | 2003 - present | 2007 | |
Merv Griffin's Crosswords | Syndication (USA) | 2007 - 2008 | 2008 | |
Move on Up | Channel 5 | 1997 | 1997 - 2001 | |
Murder in Small Town X | FOX (USA) | 2001 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Mystic Challenge | Living | 2000 | 2001 - 2003 | |
Name That Tune | ITV/Channel 5 | 1976 - 1998 | 1998 - 2003 | |
New Faces | ITV | 1973 - 1988 | 2002 - 2003 | |
Night Fever | Channel 5 | 1997 - 2002 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Oblivious | Spike TV (USA) | 2002 - 2004 | 2004 - 2006 | |
Opportunity Knocks | ITV | 1956 - 1978 | 2002 - 2003 | |
Outdoor Outtakes | OLN (USA) | 2003 | 2004 - 2005 | Aired on Challenge under the title "World's Craziest Outdoor Outtakes". |
Paradise Hotel | FOX (USA) | 2003 | 2004 | An uncensored version of the show was also broadcast. |
Password | BBC One | 1975 - 1976 | 199? | |
Perfect Match | Channel 4 | 2001 - 2002 | 2006 | |
Playing Tricks | Trouble | 2004 | 2004 | It was also shown on Ftn. |
Postcode Challenge | STV | 2007 - present | 2009 - 2011 | |
Property Rescue | Broadcaster unknown | Unknown | 2004 | Later aired on Real Estate TV. |
Raspberry Tart | HTV West | 2000 - 2001 | 2001 - 2002 | Aired on Challenge TV in late 2001/early 2002 and broadcast at 15:00. |
Red Handed | ITV | 1998 | 2004 | One of the shows that aired as part of Challenge's 'Caught on Camera' strand in 2004. |
Robot Wars | BBC Two | 1998 - 2003 | 2007 - 2008 | |
Robotica | TLC (USA) | 2001 - 2002 | 2003 - 2004 | |
RollerJam | Spike (USA) | 1999 - 2001 | 2006 - 2008 | |
Round the Houses | ITV | 1998 - 2000 | 2002 - 2005 | |
Sale of the Century | ITV | 1972 - 1983 | 2002 - 2006 | |
Sky Poker School | Sky Poker | 2011 | 2011 | Still airs on Sky Poker. |
Simply Irresistible | Broadcaster unknown | 1995 | 1997 - 1999 | |
Small Talk | BBC One | 1994 - 1996 | 2008 - 2010 | |
So You Think You Can Dance? | FOX (USA) | 2005 - present | 2006 - 2007 | |
Spellbound | Sky1 | 1994 | 1997 - 1998 | |
Stars in Their Eyes | ITV | 1990 - 2006 | 1999 - 2008 | |
Sticky Moments | Channel 4 | 1989 - 1990 | 1998 | Aired on Challenge under the title "Sticky Moments On Tour". |
Strike It Lucky | ITV | 1986 - 1994 | 1998 - 2001 | |
Strike It Rich | ITV | 1996 - 1999 | 2001 - 2011 | |
Studs | Syndication (USA) | 1991 - 1993 | 1999 - 2000 | It also aired on Sky1. |
Surprise Chefs | ITV | 1994 - 2001 | 2001 - 2002 | |
Survivor | CBS (USA) | 2000 - present | 2003 - 2004 | |
SWAG | Channel 5 | 2002 - 2004 | 2004 - 2006 | |
Take a Letter | Living | 1997 | 1999 - 2003 | |
Teen Win, Lose or Draw | ITV | 1993 | 1996 - 1997 | |
Telly Addicts | BBC One | 1985 - 1998 | 2000 - 2003 | |
The $64,000 Question | ITV | 1990 - 1993 | 1997 - 1998 | |
The Adventure Game | BBC Two | 1980 - 1986 | 2002 - 2004 | |
The All New Mr. and Mrs. Show | Living | 1995 - 1996 | 1999 - 2001 | |
The Amazing Race | CBS (USA) | 2001 - present | 2007 - 2010 | |
The Biggest Loser UK | Living | 2005 - 2006 | 2009 | |
The Casino | FOX (USA) | 2004 | 2004 | |
The Desert Forges | Channel 5 | 2001 | 2002 - 2006 | |
The Golden Shot | ITV | 1967 - 1974 | 2002 - 2006 | |
The Heat is On | Carlton Food Network | Unknown | 2003 | |
The Last Resort | ABC Family (USA) | 2002 - 2003 | 2003 - 2004 | |
The Mole (US) | ABC (USA) | 2001 - 2008 | 2003 - 2004 | |
The Moment of Truth | ITV | 1998 - 2001 | 2003 - 2009 | |
The Other Half | BBC One | 1997 - 2001 | 2002 - 2003 | |
The People Versus | ITV | 2000 - 2002 | 2007 - 2010 | |
The Price is Right | ITV | 2006 - 2007 | 2009 - 2011 | |
The Pyramid Game | ITV | 1981 - 1990 | 1993 - 1998 | |
The Weakest Link (US) | NBC (USA) | 2001 - 2002 | 2005 | |
Through the Keyhole | ITV/Sky1/BBC One | 1987 - 2008 | 1993 - 2009 | |
Treasure Hunt | Channel 4 | 1982 - 1989 | 1993 - 2003 | |
TV Bloopers | ABC (USA) | 1998 - 2004 | 2004 - 2005 | Aired on Challenge under the title "Celebrity TV Bloopers". |
Under Offer | ITV | 1998 - 2001 | 2001 - 2004 | |
Under Pressure | Channel 5 | 2001 | 2001 - 2002 | |
We Are the Champions! | BBC One | 1973 - 1995 | 2002 - 2003 | |
What's My Line? | ITV | 1994 - 1996 | 2002 - 2003 | |
Whittle | Channel 5 | 1997 - 1998 | 1998 - 2003 | |
Who Dares Wins | Seven Network (Australia) | 1996 - 1998 | 2003 - 2004 | |
Whose Line is it Anyway? (US) | ABC (USA) | 1998 - 2007 | 2005 | Now airs on 5USA. |
Win, Lose or Draw | ITV | 1990 - 1998 | 2007 - 2008 | |
Win My Wage | Channel 4 | 2007 | 2009 - 2011 | |
Winner Takes All | ITV | 1975 - 1988 | 2002 - 2004 | |
Without Prejudice? | Channel 4 | 2003 - 2004 | 2003 - 2005 | |
Your Face or Mine? | E4 | 2002 - 2003 | 2008 - 2011 | Now airs on 4Music. |
Upcoming content
- UK's Strongest Man 2011 - starts 21 November at 10pm[5]
- The World Strongman Masters 2011 - starts 19 December at 11pm[6]
- Blockbusters - New series, coming in 2012[7]
List of presenters and continuity announcers
Here is a list of the people who have presented or announced the programmes on Challenge over the years:
Presenters
- Andy Crane (1996-1998) - First appeared in the Family Challenge Weekend strand in 1996, and went on to present Prize Time in 1997. He also presented Say the Word that same year.
- Andrea Boardman (1997-1998) - The channel's first female presenter.
- Carryl Varley (1997-2002) - Launched Challenge Late in 1998, and went on to present The Games Room in 1999 and the iPlay strand in 2000. She also presented Game Central in 2002.
- Colin Murnane (1998-2001)
- Kevin Duala (1997-2001) - Presented both Prize Time and The Games Room.
- Lisa Rogers (1999-2001) - Presented The Games Room.
- Pat Sharp (1997-199?)
- Sonya Saul (1999-2000) - Also presented The Games Room.
- Toby Anstis (2000-2001) - Presented iPlay.
- Question Mark (1997-199?) - Presented Prize Time. He also took part in the channel's first original production, Karaoke Challenge.
Continuity announcers
- Mark Ryes (2004-2011)
- Trish Bertram (1999-2000)
List of themed strands on Challenge
Here is a list of the strands that Challenge has used over the years:
- Best of British (2007/8)
- Brain Buzz (2004)
- Breakfast Action (2007)
- Caught on Camera (2004)
- Cult Selection (2002/3)
- Fully Loaded (2007)
- Gameshow Gods (2004/6)
- Japanese Christmas Cracker (2003)
- Japanorama (2004)
- Morning Mayhem (2009)
- Old School Saturdays (2005)
- Quiz Frenzy (2006)
- Sushi Sundays (2005)
- Teatime Takedown (2005)
- Threesomes (2006/7)
References
- ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13966243.html
- ^ Sweney, Mark (15 September 2010). "BSkyB to close Bravo and Channel One". guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/sep/15/bravo-channel-one-bdkyb. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "BARB reported channels". overnights.tv. 17 January 2011. http://www.overnights.tv/public/content/News.aspx.
- ^ a b "TNA set for Freeview". The Sun. 25 January 2011. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/3371065/TNA-set-for-Freeview.html.
- ^ http://digiguide.tv/programme-details/Challenge/21+November+2011/22:00/UK%27s+Strongest+Man+2011/Sport/
- ^ http://www.challenge.co.uk/news/coming-up-on-challenge.html
- ^ http://www.challenge.co.uk/news/tv-quiz-show-blockbusters-is-back.html