Network 7 (TV series)

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Network 7 was a shortlived but influential BAFTA award winning, youth music and current affairs programme screened on Channel 4 over two seasons in 1987 and 1988. The series was created by Jane Hewland and Janet Street-Porter who was also editor of the first series.

Network 7 was broadcast live on Sundays from noon till two and was conceived of as a 'channel within a channel', something young people could roll out of bed and watch the morning after the night before. It was known for its frenetic visual style, with 'Blipverts' a dense combination of graphics, and pop video style visuals explaining everything from Third World debt to bulimia. It took place in a specially built caravan city in a deserted banana warehouse, on the site of what is now the Canary Wharf Tower. Presenters included Sebastian Scott, Tracey Macleod and Magenta Devine, who all got their first TV exposure on the show. Production staff included Charlie Parsons who later set up the production company Planet 24, which produced The Word' and the Big Breakfast'.

Network 7 challenged the idea that youth programming could only be a niche concern in the television business. The series won a British Academy [BAFTA] award for Originality for Hewland and Street Porter in 1987. The series has been credited with changing the language of factual television and giving a start in the industry to some of UK TV's leading programme makers.

[edit] Flesh + Blood

Flesh + Blood was a mini-series running each week for 14 minutes within Network 7, written by Joanna Hogg and featuring Vladek Sheyball and Diana Quick in the main roles.