What a surprise to discover this video. I had the pleasure and privilege of producing this opening sequence in the hectic weeks before we launched Channel 4. The images all came from a very modest (at that time) collection of programmes in our library, and the music is Fourscore, which was orchestrated and arranged by Rick Wentworth, based on the original four note Channel Four theme composed by David Dundas. The sequence was edited at Wisemans at 8 Dean Street London, and the editor was Tim Waddell. The entire sequence was created both musically and visually so that it could be broken down into a variety of pre-set lengths (hence the occasional freezes in the images) so these sequences could be used as commercial break 'fillers' because at the time of launch, there were precious few commercials due to a dispute. Happy days, the best times, and a memorable part of my career in broadcasting. Thanks to my ex-BBC colleague Pam for believing in me and giving me a job, and to Jeremy, the most inspirational, and supportive Chief Executive I ever had the good fortune to know.

My beautiful dad designed the Editing Suite for Channel 4 and it is his finger that pressed the button to start it all.

I watched this as a 10 year old and was probably the only one in my house interested in its launch.. I tuned a spare channel in,bought the tv times etc and now after 38 years have managed to obtain a 7” copy of ‘Fourscore’.Thankyou for sharing this

40 years today. Happy birthday Channel 4

I was 9 at the time and to say that I was excited for the launch would be an understatement (even if most of the programmes flew over my head). I vividly remember our Channel 4 picture up here in Cumbria was just about watchable - & for us it was a 5th channel alongside BBC1, BBC2, Border & Granada (which we received via British Relay). That music still gives me the tingles to this day - especially from 4:12 onwards and THAT drumming at the end. As well as Paul Coia, I also remember a lovely announcer called Veronika Hyks - in the early days of Channel 4 you saw the announcers just before closedown. I hope Channel 4 use this with updated clips for their 40th anniversary this November 2nd.

I remember rushing home from school to see this. I was eight years old. I'm middle aged now and it is a joy to see it again. Thank you

I was 18 when Channel Four began. I left college early that day to make sure I was home in time for the launch. No one else in my family was bothered. I knew it would be a day to mark in British history. I like to think I was right. Well done to @tsimmons4026 for putting it together. You have created a lot of wonderful memories for a lot of people. Channel Four had a great amount of wonderful programmes at that time. I remember watching Nicholas Nickleby starring John Woodvine and Alun Armstrong. If memory serves me well, there was a documentary about mattresses that was the subject of a lock of mocking in the British press. Then the channel was full of art and creativity with a determination to be different. Now Channel Four is a pale, shameful shell of its former self.

Good Afternoon! It’s a pleasure to be able to say to you , welcome to Channel 4 ! Channel 4 first ever words

I never forget the date: Tuesday 2nd November 1982. This was BIG!! A 4th channel! Might seem funny with the endless channels we have now but this was revolutionary. When Channel 5 came along in 1997, it didn't have the same impact. By that time we already have satellite TV.

0:52 truly epic music to introduce what was then a revolution in TV.

I once had two jobs, one of which was night work. They tired me and it was a dismal time. On a Sunday morning I would finish work for the week, when I would have a welcome break. I'd sleep for three of four hours so that I could go to bed at a normal time on Sunday night. I'd get up in the early afternoon when Channel Four came on, when they used to play the video that starts about 50 seconds in on this clip, the full version of their theme Fourscore with a compilation of highlights from forthcoming programmes and movies. The impression given to me was of the diversity of life and, at the time, I really needed to be reminded of it. When I saw this video every week I would invariably tear up. And after all these years, I find it still a very moving piece.

Hearing the classical piece on the test card the 4pm to 5pm hour, which was from the Carmen Suite, trying to work out which tape came on at 9am after a long period of tone, I think the first tape that came on that day was Almost Together.

I remember the anticipation of the Nation ( a few months before the broadcast transmission of channel four television, it was one of PURE EXCITEMENT. Lord Dumas score of the channel 4 theme ( fourscore) and these images of what channel 4 could and should represent as a modern- contemporary broadcaster; is what gave channel 4 television a huge audience share in just the first few months of being broadcast from 2nd November 1982. I don't think I have EVER come across a British Television music theme that is just so dramatic as Lord Dumas Fourscore theme, and so honest of what a British Television Broadcasting Channel represents, through the artistic artform of orchestral music.

What a marvellous montage...great memories...I was 10 when Channel 4 launched lol Great bit of music from the same man that composed ITV Meridian's first set of Idents

Classic TV at its best. Channel 4 first TV show to broadcast was Countdown. My all time favourite channel 4 programme is Treasure Hunt which started in December 1982.

Happy 40th Birthday Channel 4 (1982-2022).

The best channel launch ever. So many clips with that amazing Fourscore tune.

In actual fact with the live transmission there was about 90 seconds of 'dead air' that is a blank screen! I edited most of that gap out of my video, viewers would have thought there was nothing there if I had left it in. Thanks for your comments.

So many great programmes that came and went. Brookside, Football Italia, Channel 4 Racing, The Hoobs and more. The only show that's lasted is Countdown

I recall the opening day of C4,when with five minutes to go to the start,the screen went blank,and we all thought that a power cut had occured,but no,it was exciting times when they began!

A beautiful video a real masterpiece and a tearjerker!

Happy 40th birthday Channel 4 & S4C 🎂

I remember watching the launch of Channel 4. Was 9 and a half and was round at my grandparents' when it came on air for the first time on 2nd November 1982. :D

I love it. "Now our first program (or programme,) Countdown!

The Test Card Music is from Channel 4 "Carmen" Tape 6. 5th track in by Composer: Dobrzanski. Title: Symphony For Large Orchestra For Small Children. Finale.

A very Happy 40th Birthday to Channel 4!

S4C, the Welsh variant of Channel 4, launched a day earlier on 1st November 1982.

I miss the old Channel 4

Happy 40th Birthday Channel 4

How wonderful to see this, being one of Channel 4's announcers later in the eigthies. Such fond memories and such respect for Pam Masters!

Happy 28th birthday Channel 4.

From one geek to another...thanks for clips like this;)

So sad how Channel 4 and the rest of television has utterly abandoned quality and diversity of programming in favour of endless amounts of soaps, talent shows, celebrities, trivia, "reality", flog it and it's ilk, all manner of property programmes and freak shows masquerading as documentaries (whatever happened to intelligent documentaries) and the virtual abandonment of public service output. Anything decent on stations like BBC4 is completely ruined by utterly needless onscreen graffiti and credit squeezing. In short, there are far too many channels with far too little quality to go around. I genuinely long for the four channel past, much more to watch with so few stations. That tells you everything. So very sad.

The voice of Paul Coia presented Catch word quiz game for the BBC.

Happy 35th birthday to Channel 4

BRILLIANT

It is unrecognisable from C4 today, more is the pity. Thank you for your comment. GLF

Those four notes are the best notes ever to be heard on television...

I'm half Welsh too! Thanks for your reply. GLF

It is a while ago now of course, but I think you are correct. I remember when there was only BBC and ITV. They closed down each night with the National anthem around midnight. How times have changed!

C4 started 6 days before my 9th birthday

In my honest opinion, "Fourscore" is to Channel 4 what "Bohemian Rhapsody" was to Queen, 7 years previously. A massive song, broken into segments...

Channel 4 was the start of multi tv when the station launch in November 1982, Just within 7 years satellite tv in uk was launch with Rupert Murdoch and BSB Launch in 1990 and merged later with Sky to form the British Sky Broadcasting via satellite, Cable already existed in the uk by the mid 70's, by other area of the country didnt have cable, How life have change with multi digital tv channels, thousand of digital tv channel to chose ranging from cable freeview and BSKYB.

I was about 14 years old and I was was going around turning everyone's TV set

I hope that for Channel 4's upcoming 30th anniversary that they play this wonderful theme with a compilation of all of the best bits from 30 years of broadcasting.

Thank you for your comments. The VT you viewed was only shown once on the first day of Channel 4. As the major Networks are broadcasting 24 hours a day, there is no need for opening titles!.

Wow that is some intro to a tv network, I love the way you do tv over in the uk.

It's funny that I am currently watching this while working in the BBC, and remembering that 35 years ago I saw it live, at home, as a 14 year old. Shows just how much TV (and my life) has changed.

33 years ago since this channel launched

I too clearly remember Channel 4 starting. I tuned a spare channel on my tv to the test card in readiness and proudly had a sticker in my car window that read "I've joined the I've had my set set set". Happy days. Would that the world were as simple as it was thirty years ago.

Tuesday 2nd November 1982

I remember Channel 4 coming on air for the first time. To start with broadcasting hours were restricted.

@theoldiesman Yes it was very well edited. I did state in the text accompanying the VT that the voiceover was by Paul Coya. Thanks for your comments. GLF

This was similar to the opening of the regional channels here in Spain. First ETB (Basque television) and TV3 (catalan) in 1983. That means that was the end of RTVE having the monopoly. Until then we had only two channels...

This is the best ever!

@JFredUK Yes! I was working, but set my VCR to Record the event, hence the VT on my Channel. Thank You for taking the time to add a comment, it was a pleasure to read. Regards, GLF

Happy Birthday Channel 4!

I take your point. This intro only happened on Opening night. Usual intro was just the logo and 'Fourscore' muz.

The Old Channel Four Theme Tune.

@joannedj1 Memory is a wonderful thing most of the time. Thank You for your comments. GLF

I'm not sure how often they showed the VT after it's first txn - sorry. The quality is down to the SONY professional recorder used. Thanks for taking the time to comment. GLF

I was only 6 days old, so I don't remember this occasion. 👶

© Channel Four Television Corporation 2004

@Vennegoor10 I take your point. Thank You for your comments.

My dad remembers this

I wish this was repeated on Channel 4 again for its Channel 4 at 25 at 5.55am on November 2nd 2007 with the IBA testcard. or the reasons they did not repeat it.

Fantastic quality! I remember watching the launch! How often did they play this film in the early days? I'm aware of launch day, the first anniversary, the start of afternoon programming (15-10-84?), and a rogue appearance in Dec 1988. Although I think the version shown on their first anniversary differed slightly.

@MrCol1969 Yes, and look what happened to them!. Thanks for your comments. GLF

Yes, I remember the day it started too. Your neighbour has been proved nearly correct. I too have a wide choice of channels, but usually watch only about seven or eight of them! Thanks for your comment. GLF

I just realised that the distinct Channel 4 jingle consists of 4 notes. I'm sure that's not an accident. Hehe

@jpecks1 I am pleased you enjoyed it. GLF

BBC+ITV=this

@callwithcurrentconti Yes, That is when TV was at it's height in the UK. The BBC and ITV began to sit up and wonder what the third contender might offer....

Couldn't believe how they made no effort to start it off better than this but leave the bloody testcard on all day.

37 years ago today

2019 - not available in HD on Freesat.

Channel 4 PH (DWGT-TV) People's Television Network, inc. in cooperation with Channel Four Television Corporation

@djjaseuk I know precisely what you mean. Thanks for your comments. GLF

@cwilliams1976 I meant where do you get this '2 seconds past the minute ending in a 2 or a 7' nonsense? And what does 'until the signal reached the TV station' mean'? You have no idea what you're talking about

Oh dear, I disagree with you!. Channel 4 was much better in it's early years in my opinion, but you are of course entitled to yours. Thank You for taking the time to comment.

@WhatsInTheFog You are most welcome!

Channel 4 was quite possibly the greatest TV channel in the world That's not to say that it had the highest ratio of good programs, far from it. It delivered a dizzying mix of weired, cheap, old, occasionally good, and random shows. But the freedom to air such a ramshackle selection is what made it so fascinating. Maybe around the turn of the millennium is where it started to lose all its former qualities. Its just a mainstream channel trying too hard at having a personality now.

It could well have been the result of an over enthusiastic TC (transmission controller) fading the test card early in his quest to be ready to 'roll' the opening VT. Who knows, it is history now!

I do not know the title of the piece. It would be my assumption that it was just a 'library piece' of music, unpublished for general release - but I could be wrong.

+williamtheconqueror3 yeah man, and can you believe this was 1982, but the logo was made in Los Angeles?

countdown and ch4 at 30 this year

Very classy intro film. Channel seems unrecognisable from the C4 of today, mind!

The intro to the clip's not quite right in saying the 4th channel started on 2nd November 1982 - S4C opened up the night before!

Channel 4s first show launched was countdown

When TV was fab... And amazingly, Channel 4 even paved a way for better television, and now it's all random stuff plus Channel 4 sinking.

Who wud have thought Big Brother wud come along

変身！プロジェクトファンタジー！

what movie is this? on 4:40

@cwilliams1976 That makes a little more sense, but not much... I think the phrase I'm getting at is 'Citation Needed'

What song is playing at the start

I love this comment in every way!

can someone tell me what's that music called

It would be ideal. I doubt that it will happen though. They are in no way the same organisation they once were, we'lljust have to wait and see won't we? Thanks for your comments. GLF

Quite probably!.

LOL 4 years before M25 was Complete. :)