It's a Knockout, the inter-town contest of skill and strength, began on 7 August 1966. The first series was between Lancashire and Yorkshire, with 8 towns competing for the Tip-Top-Town-Trophy. The signature tune - Bean Bag, played by Herb Alpert - set the tone for the games, which were played despite the British weather, and frequently featured water, grease, and silly costumes.
The format of the gameshow was adapted from the French series Intervilles, but also owed a debt to the 大象传媒's earlier Top Town, created by It's a Knockout director Barney Colehan MBE. British winners of It's a Knockout joined Jeux Sans Frontieres, the European version, and the competing countries ensured the props and costumes became more elaborate.
It's a Knockout ran on the 大象传媒 until 1982, but returned in 1987 with the charity special Grand Knockout Tournament, featuring members of the Royal family and a host of celebrity contestants. In its heyday It's a Knockout showcased regional and international co-operation in an entertaining format.
August anniversaries
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Family Favourites
1 August 1945 -
Sailor
5 August 1976 -
It's a Knockout
7 August 1966 -
First 大象传媒 Promenade Concert
13 August 1927 -
The Weakest Link
14 August 2000 -
Junior Masterchef
14 August 1994 -
Launch of 1Xtra
16 August 2002 -
Dr Finlay's Casebook
16 August 1962 -
The Marriage Lines
16 August 1963 -
Observer reveals MI5 vetting of 大象传媒 staff
18 August 1985 -
Why Don't You...?
20 August 1973 -
The Moral Maze
20 August 1990 -
First experimental 大象传媒 TV Programme
22 August 1932 -
Match of the Day begins
22 August 1964 -
大象传媒 Monitoring
26 August 1939 -
Radio 5 launches
27 August 1990 -
First live TV from the continent
27 August 1950 -
Start of experimental stereo broadcasting
28 August 1962 -
Elizabeth Cowell first female TV announcer
31 Aug 1936 -
The Monocled Mutineer
31 August 1986 -
Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow
31 August 2002 -
The Battle of Britain
Summer 1940