Challenge TV - Keeping Game Shows Repeats on Rotation Since '97

In 1995, the original run of The Crystal Maze came to an end and, this being before video streaming online or on-demand services, it meant there was no real way to watch the show anymore. One option was occasional repeated showings as part of Channel 4's 'The Bigger Breakfast'. This was an extension to the regular Big Breakfast which would be scheduled during school holidays when kids had less to do and needed more TV aimed at them to keep them busy. In amongst showings of 'Saved By The Bell', 'Batman' (the '60s version) and 'Eerie, Indiana' would often be a repeat of TCM. In 2000 The Bigger Breakfast' was replaced by T4 and the programming changed to mostly just be Popworld and repeats of Hollyoaks. However there was a more long term option than waiting for school holidays and hoping TCM was included in the week's programming. 

In 1993, "The Family Channel" was launched in the UK. Born from the remnants of ITVs closed South East franchise TVS, The Family Channel promised no sex, violence or bad language and instead focused on programming the family can watch together. Shows on the channel included Remington Steele, The Wonder Years and The Bob Newhart Show. However most importantly what would be a precursor to the the channels future, self produced content in Trivial Pursuit and a family version of the Roy Walker classic Catchphrase.

In 1997 the channel was rebranded as Challenge TV and all focused moved to game and quiz shows. Now while Challenge in its current incarnation has a somewhat limited selection (as I'm writing they've scheduled 2 hour blocks of Bruce's Price is Right, Pointless, The Chase and All Star Family Fortunes for the day), when it first launched there was a much wider range of programming filling the hours.

As The Children's Channel (TCC) would close-down for the evening at 5pm, Challenge took over the channel. Using in-vision continuity, a style more familiar to viewers of CBBC and CITV, host Andy Crane introduced viewers to Challenge TV in 1997 at 5pm. These segments between shows allowed competitions based on the shows the channel hosted, such as the channel's first broadcast, Blockbusters.

Prizes available during these "Prize Time" segments ranged from VHS recorders and 14" colour TVs to cameras and twin-tape CD players. It was 1997, these things were prize-worthy at the time. Also every entry to any competition meant an entry into a monthly prize draw and the first prize was introduced as a white compact 4x4 with "executive grey" interior. Imagine the kind of 4x4 a hairdresser might drive and you're there. There were also Challenge TV branded yellow Game Boy consoles on offer, I wonder how long before the question mark logo rubbed off.

Challenge in it's early years also produced some of its own content rather than just repeating older shows. These included a revival of Sale of the Century hosted by Keith Chegwin and Winner Takes All with former "Run the Risk" host Bobby Davro. However the bulk of Challenge TVs content was a wide selection of rebroadcast older shows. While Challenge today shows longer blocks of the same shows such as 3 hours of The Chase, in its earlier years every show was followed by something different. That first show was Blockbusters followed by Spellbound, hosted by the first voice of Channel 4 Paul Coia.

Other hosts came and went over the years including Yvette Fielding, best known for Most Haunted and her years on Blue Peter, and Pat Sharp best known for Pat and Mick's 'Use It Up and Wear It Out'. And having majestic, luxuriant hair. And some kids show.

While it wasn't present on the channel from the start, The Crystal Maze was added to the scheduling lineup in 1998 and for the past 22 years it's been a regular mainstay. Aside from Catchphrase it's been one of the longest running shows on the channel. It's not been a permanent feature but, as with all shows on any channel, being on constantly would be an easy route to audience fatigue.

The revival of TCM did indeed raise interest in the show again, and so Challenge do still slip the '90s version into the schedules giving younger viewers (anyone born after it ended 25 years ago) another chance to watch it.