when did the first episode of eastenders air
EastEnders The launch was delayed until February 1985[28] due to a delay in the chat show Wogan, that was to be a part of the major revamp in BBC1's schedules. Smith was uneasy about the late start as EastEnders no longer had the winter months to build up a loyal following before the summer ratings lull. The press were invited to Elstree to meet the cast and see the lot, and stories immediately started circulating about the show, about a rivalry with ITV (who were launching their own market-based soap, Albion Market) and about the private lives of the cast.[29] Anticipation and rumour grew in equal measure until the first transmission at 7Â p.m. on 19 February 1985.[29] Both Holland and Smith could not watch; they both instead returned to the place where it all began, Albertine's Wine Bar on Wood Lane.[29] The next day, viewing figures were confirmed at 17 million.[29] The reviews were largely favourable,[29] although, after three weeks on air, BBC1's early evening share had returned to the pre-EastEnders figure of seven million, though EastEnders then climbed to highs of up to 23 million later on in the year.[30] Following the launch, both group discussions and telephone surveys were conducted to test audience reaction to early episodes. Detailed reactions were taken after six months and since then regular monitoring was conducted.[citation needed]
Coronation Street Early episodes told the story of student Kenneth Barlow (William Roache), who had won a place at university, and thus found his working-class background - as well as his parents, Frank and Ida (Frank Pemberton and Noel Dyson) - something of an embarrassment.[15] The character was one of the few to have experienced life outside of Coronation Street. In some ways this predicts the growth of globalisation, and the decline of similar communities. In an episode from 1961, Barlow declares: "You can't go on just thinking about your own street these days. We're living with people on the other side of the world. There's more to worry about than Elsie Tanner and her boyfriends."[16] Roache is the only remaining member of the original cast, which makes him the longest-serving actor in Coronation Street, and in British and global soap history.