This is one of the most moving pieces of television ever shown I feel-as it leads up to the Southern star being shown for the last time-it is odd though to think that this is nearly 30 years old-but an essential part of broadcasting history nonetheless I feel! Thank you for the posting though-well done!
Growing up in the 1960s as a young lad, I think we had rediffusion TV, Southern Television featured quite a bit, for I remember TV started about 3pm and finished about 11pm, maybe just after midnight on a weekend... It was time of quality, the youngsters of today may shout me down, but no matter, I stand by the fact we had the best of it...🤩
Considering the Southern ident (my own favourite, as it happens) consists of just eight notes, it's remarkable how much mileage Jonathan Burton got out of it when writing the Southern Fantasia.
@idle44 ITV1 has replaced Regional ITV. In other words there is really very little regional ITV these days, except the nightly local magazine programmes, they sadly lack the excellent quality of their predecessors.
TVS of course did then have the transmitter there later on; as the IBA had decided that the south east would be better well served by them than the London companies Thames and LWT for ITV at the time so too?
Are you asking me where is the song on this VT? If that is the case I have excluded it for Copyright reasons. If that isn't your question please ask again and be more specific!
Hi, You are absoloutely correct in everything you have said. It is such a shame that Southern should be remembered for this last shameful programme....
We lived in an area served by both, many Southern viewers never saw the more professional London programming, which was local, but the London was the Capital and it looked like a national service compared to Southern, who came over as friendly amateurs at times. TVS tried the address the problem, but offended the South Coast viewer by being biased to the SE area. The SE should have been bundled with London from the start, leaving Southern to the coast and westwards, it would have worked better.
You are so right there then too in those words in some ways of course? But because London and the south areas of course overlapped it was difficult I guess in getting the right balance so then too surely?!
Perhaps too of course then indeed viewers did prefer their ITV to come from Thames and LWT in London; or even Anglia for some in the SE so too? Also; as now then too really there was of course the BBC's own regional services in terms of news coverage and so on then too I wonder?
@ste1bro - What is also interesting to note is John Benson was an Anglia TV voice over man and Richard Stilgoe was a BBC personality. The management of Southern would have been better of bowing out with grace and honour instead of bitterness and sour grapes!
How true what Southern did was an all mighty up your to the IBA and to TVS for what they did Southern did not wish TVS good luck or anything like it. But when TVS did there's in 1992 they did it with pride joy and happiness and they wished Meridian good luck as well
@brucedanton Hi Bruce, Some people.myself included,would agree with you. Others have told me they thought it was simply "sour grapes" and the MD's reaction to loosing the franchise. Perhaps the answer really lies somewhere in between? Thank You for your comments. GLF
@ste1bro yes, it's very odd, and rather sad that Southern vented its anger on TVS, and not at the IBA. Such a shame that Southern bowed out in such an ungracious way. At least we got TVS after Southern went...now look at the shocking state of regional ITV these days. How I long for the good old days to return!
What Southern did for there last ever programme was a very big massive up your to the IBA also the IBA made a huge mistake giving the franchise to Television South
Zachery Alderton Out of vision it is John Benson (more known on Anglia, but heard on shows like Sale of the Century and 3-2-1), and in vision it’s Christopher Robbie.
About time records were straightened out. Southern Television never took a nasty swipe at the incoming company with the Stilton number. Earlier in the year they offered space in their car park to the newcomers by way of numerous portacabins. This earned them the nickname of 'Portacabin TV ' amongst the staff at Southern. During the final "Day By Day" programme, and again during the closedown programme, the song was introduced as merely a 'gentle and humorous ' look towards the future.I have spoken to people who worked at Southern who tell me that David Wilson was choked making his farewell speech; at moments virtually unable to talk. The station and it's staff had good reason to be proud of their record both regionally; and to the network. As one national newspaper once said: 'Southern made the finest children's programmes in the country'.
Sorry not true. Portakabin TV was very much a swipe by Stilgoe, as despite there being space available at Northam, they weren't initially allowed inside the studio building, hence the Portakabins. Also they made comments about TVS setting up studios in Maidstone, despite the fact that Southern would've done the same had they retained the franchise, and in fact had already secured the land, then sold it to TVS at a massive profit. They made no attempt to wish TVS luck. Make no mistake Southern management were very bitter, however had they not been so arrogant at the start (a 16 page franchise submission to the IBA for the 1980 round) then they would've been in a very strong position. If you want to see how bowing out should be done. Look at TVS. They thanked the viewers and wished Meridian well. That's the mark of professionals.
What Southern Television did in 1981 on they very last programme was an all mighty up your to the IBA and to TVS but what the IBA did at the time was the correct. But was it right to withdraw the franchise from Southern and offer it to TVS well its was 70-30 yes
I've never seen this in full - it's gone down in history as the most breathtakingly arrogant 'final sign-off' in British TV history! The notorious 'Portakabin TV' song (Richard Stilgoe sings about the incoming TVS in shockingly disparaging terms!), and, I believe, a horrendously egotistical speech from Southern's MD were part of a final night's programming that, sadly, blotted the copybook of one of our finest regional broadcasters - their list of classic programmes is second only to Thames!
If anyone ever wonders why Southern lost its franchise, this show says it all. Pompous, bitter, infantile. Also looks and sounds like something from 1958, not 1981. A poorly performing little company stuck in the past.
@DreadwindsGhost Yes! It is a great shame that such a proud, once even 'great' ITV Company should 'bow out' with such a hotchpotch programme, revelling in such self pity.
Southern were their own worst enemy, parish pump news, and the lowest number of programmes to go to the network, of all the regions, also they suffered technically, poor reception due to repeaters that were forced to run under powered to prevent interference in the SE, and that the basic problem, in the SE area people wanted the London coverage, not Portsmouth. The area was poorly chosen, advertisers despaired about the overage, it all accted against a basically well run company,TVS even worse!
I thought I read in the TV Times then that it started at 12 Midnight then; but sadly I am not too sure on that then so too alas?!@@currentlyonhiatus1859
Thank you for posting this. It's a thrill to see my friend, Christopher, as I never had the chance to see him present 'live' at the time.
This is one of the most moving pieces of television ever shown I feel-as it leads up to the Southern star being shown for the last time-it is odd though to think that this is nearly 30 years old-but an essential part of broadcasting history nonetheless I feel!
Thank you for the posting though-well done!
And yes of course there then as before so too indeed. Thank you so too!
Rest in Peace Southern Television
5:13 Song is Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity
Born and raised in Southampton Hampshire very proud to be a southerner I plan to visit Southampton for the last time to say goodbye for good
Growing up in the 1960s as a young lad, I think we had rediffusion TV, Southern Television featured quite a bit, for I remember TV started about 3pm and finished about 11pm, maybe just after midnight on a weekend...
It was time of quality, the youngsters of today may shout me down, but no matter, I stand by the fact we had the best of it...🤩
I Want to listen to the full version of Southern Fantasia!
It would be awesome to see the whole TX! Thanks for bringing a couple of parts to us!
Considering the Southern ident (my own favourite, as it happens) consists of just eight notes, it's remarkable how much mileage Jonathan Burton got out of it when writing the Southern Fantasia.
It's right up there with Fourscore for me
@idle44
ITV1 has replaced Regional ITV. In other words there is really very little regional ITV these days, except the nightly local magazine programmes, they sadly lack the excellent quality of their predecessors.
Can you get a CD copy of Southern Fantasia at all would like to know please
The rotten thing is: what has replaced regional ITV is crap!
Does anyone Have the Full Broadcast that can be uploaded to TH-cam? asking as it is the 40th anniversary this New Years Eve coming up.
Christopher Robbie is a great man
Southern should have had the Bluebell Hill transmitter, a large part of their franchise area was claimed by London.
TVS of course did then have the transmitter there later on; as the IBA had decided that the south east would be better well served by them than the London companies Thames and LWT for ITV at the time so too?
It's my pleasure, I am pleased you like it.
GLF
Almost everything about it seemed dated backed in the 60s!
Southern TV - The Station That's Still Stuck in the Sixties - Early Sixties!
Who'd want it? Such a comparison between TVS and Southern in their professionalism, wouldn't you say?
Indeed, I must agree with you.
GLF
Are you asking me where is the song on this VT? If that is the case I have excluded it for Copyright reasons. If that isn't your question please ask again and be more specific!
This clip is quite upbeat and groovy compared to the 2nd part. Everyone looked and sounded rather sad in that one. These videos are very nice.
Hi,
You are absoloutely correct in everything you have said. It is such a shame that Southern should be remembered for this last shameful programme....
We lived in an area served by both, many Southern viewers never saw the more professional London programming, which was local, but the London was the Capital and it looked like a national service compared to Southern, who came over as friendly amateurs at times. TVS tried the address the problem, but offended the South Coast viewer by being biased to the SE area. The SE should have been bundled with London from the start, leaving Southern to the coast and westwards, it would have worked better.
The Bluebell Hill transmitter serving Maidstone and Northern Kent was London up till 1981, then switched to TVS in 1982.
You are so right there then too in those words in some ways of course? But because London and the south areas of course overlapped it was difficult I guess in getting the right balance so then too surely?!
Perhaps too of course then indeed viewers did prefer their ITV to come from Thames and LWT in London; or even Anglia for some in the SE so too? Also; as now then too really there was of course the BBC's own regional services in terms of news coverage and so on then too I wonder?
Do you have the clip were all the Southern TV team did Auld Lang Sine would like to know please
How long did Southern Television very last programme last for and is it available in full would like to know please
@ste1bro - What is also interesting to note is John Benson was an Anglia TV voice over man and Richard Stilgoe was a BBC personality. The management of Southern would have been better of bowing out with grace and honour instead of bitterness and sour grapes!
How true what Southern did was an all mighty up your to the IBA and to TVS for what they did Southern did not wish TVS good luck or anything like it. But when TVS did there's in 1992 they did it with pride joy and happiness and they wished Meridian good luck as well
@brucedanton
Hi Bruce,
Some people.myself included,would agree with you. Others have told me they thought it was simply "sour grapes" and the MD's reaction to loosing the franchise. Perhaps the answer really lies somewhere in between?
Thank You for your comments.
GLF
I am sure of course you are so right there too in those words as well? Thank you so too.
Karakas Television, after Katerina's wedding, is moving to TVNF, Television for New Family, on April 1st, April Fools Day.
shut up
@ste1bro yes, it's very odd, and rather sad that Southern vented its anger on TVS, and not at the IBA. Such a shame that Southern bowed out in such an ungracious way. At least we got TVS after Southern went...now look at the shocking state of regional ITV these days. How I long for the good old days to return!
I'm dead sure i've got a comment on here somewhere, have you deleted it?!
+twitchygiraffe I couldn't tell you! I only delete comments if I deem them inappropriate, or blatantly rude.
What Southern did for there last ever programme was a very big massive up your to the IBA also the IBA made a huge mistake giving the franchise to Television South
He is alive
Who is the announcer
Zachery Alderton Out of vision it is John Benson (more known on Anglia, but heard on shows like Sale of the Century and 3-2-1), and in vision it’s Christopher Robbie.
That is a very good question. I'm sorry I cannot answer it - the programme was dubbed from tape to PC a few years ago and I can't remember! Sorry...
About time records were straightened out. Southern Television never took a nasty swipe at the incoming company with the Stilton number. Earlier in the year they offered space in their car park to the newcomers by way of numerous portacabins. This earned them the nickname of 'Portacabin TV ' amongst the staff at Southern. During the final "Day By Day" programme, and again during the closedown programme, the song was introduced as merely a 'gentle and humorous ' look towards the future.I have spoken to people who worked at Southern who tell me that David Wilson was choked making his farewell speech; at moments virtually unable to talk. The station and it's staff had good reason to be proud of their record both regionally; and to the network. As one national newspaper once said: 'Southern made the finest children's programmes in the country'.
Sorry not true.
Portakabin TV was very much a swipe by Stilgoe, as despite there being space available at Northam, they weren't initially allowed inside the studio building, hence the Portakabins.
Also they made comments about TVS setting up studios in Maidstone, despite the fact that Southern would've done the same had they retained the franchise, and in fact had already secured the land, then sold it to TVS at a massive profit.
They made no attempt to wish TVS luck.
Make no mistake Southern management were very bitter, however had they not been so arrogant at the start (a 16 page franchise submission to the IBA for the 1980 round) then they would've been in a very strong position.
If you want to see how bowing out should be done. Look at TVS. They thanked the viewers and wished Meridian well. That's the mark of professionals.
What Southern Television did in 1981 on they very last programme was an all mighty up your to the IBA and to TVS but what the IBA did at the time was the correct. But was it right to withdraw the franchise from Southern and offer it to TVS well its was 70-30 yes
#SouthernTelevision #TVS #Meridian
I've never seen this in full - it's gone down in history as the most breathtakingly arrogant 'final sign-off' in British TV history!
The notorious 'Portakabin TV' song (Richard Stilgoe sings about the incoming TVS in shockingly disparaging terms!), and, I believe, a horrendously egotistical speech from Southern's MD were part of a final night's programming that, sadly, blotted the copybook of one of our finest regional broadcasters - their list of classic programmes is second only to Thames!
If anyone ever wonders why Southern lost its franchise, this show says it all. Pompous, bitter, infantile. Also looks and sounds like something from 1958, not 1981. A poorly performing little company stuck in the past.
@DreadwindsGhost
Yes!
It is a great shame that such a proud, once even 'great' ITV Company should 'bow out' with such a hotchpotch programme, revelling in such self pity.
Southern were their own worst enemy, parish pump news, and the lowest number of programmes to go to the network, of all the regions, also they suffered technically, poor reception due to repeaters that were forced to run under powered to prevent interference in the SE, and that the basic problem, in the SE area people wanted the London coverage, not Portsmouth. The area was poorly chosen, advertisers despaired about the overage, it all accted against a basically well run company,TVS even worse!
Southern did show a fair number of programmes on the network at the time; so I am not too sure on what you say there though too?!
How long did Southern Television last programme last for would like to know please and is it available in full please
Richard Sharpe Around twenty minutes.
I thought I read in the TV Times then that it started at 12 Midnight then; but sadly I am not too sure on that then so too alas?!@@currentlyonhiatus1859