Soaps - British

This is ITV's main soap, and is one of the central parts in their ratings battles. Made by Granada, It started off centred around a street known as Coronation Street in a small working-class part of Manchester. As with most soaps, however, it developed to include other locations as well. It has survived the test of time well, still going strong after over 40 years, throughout which one actor (Bill Roach) has remained. This opening sequence dates from the late 80's, featuring the same signature notes which have served the programme since the beginning. Thanks to James Hadfield for this clip.

From 2001, this sequence is the same as above, except now the title appears at the beginning of the sequence (in a new font too!), whilst programme credits appear over the following scenes.

Doctors is the BBC's daytime soap. It was launched in 2000, in a lunchtime slot, and originally only ran in blocks. Because of declining popularity, the BBC were considering axing it at the end of 2001. Then the tragic events of September 11th struck. The lunchtime slot was required for extended news bulletins, so Doctors was moved to a late afternoon slot. To their surprise, the viewing figures in the new slot shot up, so the Beeb abandoned the plans to drop it, and promoted it to a full year-round soap! These titles date from 2001. Clip/info courtesy of James Hadfield!

Eastenders is BBC1's main soap, and was started by the BBC in 1985. It is based in the East End Of London, in a place called Albert Square, and of course comes complete with its own soappub - The Queen Vic. Until the arrival of Doctors, Eastenders was the only major soap on the BBC for several years, contrasting heavily with ITV. This has probably been due to fear, as a result of their infamous flop 'Eldorado', in 1992. The opening to Eastenders from 1985 feature here. The actual titles were black and white aerial shots of East London shot onto a piece of blue card with a camera above doing the actions. They remained in use, until 1990. Courtesy of James Hadfield.

This set of titles was in the same style as the ones below, only for the first time in 1990 they were produced on Video Tape rather than traditional film. This results in more visible map, slightly different text, and no picture wobbling. Thanks to James Hadfield for this.

The accompanying 'jazzy' credit sequence. Thanks to Conrad Higham for this.

The first attempt by the BBC to superimpose their logo onto Eastenders, in order to have the corporate stamp on things. Its exactly the same as the titles in use previously, only... um... a hastily tacked on BBC logo appears in the corner for a few seconds. Thanks to James Hadfield for this.

This set of titles was the first to use widescreen, and the BBC also finally placed their logo properly onscreen.

From 2002... and the titles now have a new background colour!

The 2002 titles to Family Affairs.

Crossroads was originally based aound a motel, and became infamous for being low budget, with dodgy sets. It disappeared from our screens for over a decade, before being re-introduced by Carlton in 2001. This is an end credit sequence from a 1984 edition, produced by good old Central Television.

Come 2003, and another complete revamp was brought in, this time attempting to give the series more of a 'Dallas' feel. A couple of months later, this too was axed, with the producers deciding to write into the final episode that the whole thing with the Crossroads hotel had just been the dream of a supermarket worker...

This set of titles lasted until 2005, being 'updated' partway through their run to accomodate Widescreen.

In 2001, a second new soap was introduced for the Teatime slot, after Crossroads was dropped to 4 episodes a week. ITV, however, has put a lot more into promoting the uncut version on a Thursday night. (PS - Uncut = More steamy scenes added!!) Didn't make much difference though, as this was axed like Crossroads.