The Roxy (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Roxy was a British television
music programme that was broadcast on ITV
in the late 1980s. It was produced by Tyne Tees Television
following the demise a few months earlier of its more successful music show The Tube
.
This 30 minute programme made its debut in 1987 and was presented by David Jensen
and Kevin Sharkey
. The show opened with Erasure
performing "Victim Of Love". It featured the music chart as used on its sister programme, a radio show called The Network Chart Show
.
Whereas The Tube featured rock and punk bands and emerging musicians, The Roxy concentrated on the mainstream UK singles chart
. The show suffered, however, from not having a regular slot on the ITV network. Also, unlike The Tube which had gained a loyal fanbase and respect from artists, mainstream acts were reluctant to travel to Newcastle upon Tyne
for a three minute performance when they could appear on the more established Top of the Pops
in the more accessible London
.
After an industrial dispute which saw the end of live performances. and failing to compete with its long running BBC
counterpart, Top of the Pops
, The Roxy was cancelled. The programme lasted for just over a year. The final edition of The Roxy was broadcast on April 6, 1988.
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
music programme that was broadcast on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in the late 1980s. It was produced by Tyne Tees Television
Tyne Tees Television
Tyne Tees Television is the ITV television franchise for North East England and parts of North Yorkshire. As of 2009, it forms part of a non-franchise ITV Tyne Tees & Border region, shared with the ITV Border region...
following the demise a few months earlier of its more successful music show The Tube
The Tube (TV series)
The Tube was an innovative United Kingdom pop/rock music television programme, which ran for five seasons, from 5 November 1982 until 1987...
.
This 30 minute programme made its debut in 1987 and was presented by David Jensen
David Jensen
David "Kid" Jensen , is a Danish Canadian-born, British radio DJ.-Early career:Born in a Danish family residing Victoria, British Columbia, Jensen began his career in his home country at the age of sixteen playing jazz and classical music. He then joined Radio Luxembourg at the age of eighteen in...
and Kevin Sharkey
Kevin Sharkey
Kevin Sharkey is an Irish artist and designer.-Early life:Sharkey was born in Dublin in 1962, but was brought up in Killybegs, County Donegal.-Earlier career:...
. The show opened with Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
performing "Victim Of Love". It featured the music chart as used on its sister programme, a radio show called The Network Chart Show
The Network Chart Show
The Network Chart Show was a radio programme launched across Independent Local Radio in the UK on 30 September 1984.-Background:The main presenter was David Jensen , however Pat Sharp would often provide holiday cover in its later years: in its earlier years Timmy Mallett and Alan Freeman also...
.
Whereas The Tube featured rock and punk bands and emerging musicians, The Roxy concentrated on the mainstream UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The show suffered, however, from not having a regular slot on the ITV network. Also, unlike The Tube which had gained a loyal fanbase and respect from artists, mainstream acts were reluctant to travel to Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
for a three minute performance when they could appear on the more established Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
in the more accessible London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
After an industrial dispute which saw the end of live performances. and failing to compete with its long running BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
counterpart, Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, The Roxy was cancelled. The programme lasted for just over a year. The final edition of The Roxy was broadcast on April 6, 1988.