Teletubbies said "Eh-Oh" for the first time on 31 March 1997. The programme was created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport, and starred, Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po, brightly coloured creatures with aerials on their heads. It was an immediate hit with its pre-school audience. It went on to become a phenomenal international success, and even produced a number One single.
Some people were concerned over the Teletubbies' language, which was based on the first words children say. But by encouraging the viewers to join in and play, Teletubbies successfully stimulated children of all abilities to communicate with confidence. The show was deliberately repetitive, which drove some parents to distraction, but was loved by toddlers, who invariably wanted to see the films screened on the Teletubbies tummy screens "again again". Tellytubbyland was created on a farm in Warwickshire, and the set was populated with giant Flemish rabbits. The actors playing the Teletubbies were Dave Thompson, John Simmit, Nicky Smedley and Pui Fan Lee.
Teletubbies finished after 365 episodes were made, and then led to Teletubbies Everywhere, which debuted on Cbeebies. The 大象传媒 has continued to lead the way in pre-school programming, creating colourful popular shows for young children, including Tweenies, Fimbles and In the Night Garden.
March anniversaries
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大象传媒 Producer Guidelines published
1 March 1989 -
Truly Madly Deeply
1 March 1992 -
Launch of 大象传媒 Four
2 March 2002 -
Housewives' Choice
4 March 1946 -
Round the Horne
7 March 1965 -
Pennies From Heaven
7 March 1978 -
The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
8 March 1978 -
French and Saunders
9 March 1987 -
The Frost Report
10 March 1966 -
World Service Television News
11 March 1991 -
First broadcast by the 大象传媒 Dance Orchestra
12 March 1928 -
Launch of the Latin American Service
14 March 1938 -
I鈥檇 Do Anything
15 March 2008 -
This Life
18 March 1996 -
First televised Budget speech
20 March 1990 -
Up Pompeii
23 March 1970 -
Letter From America
24 March 1946 -
Newswipe with Charlie Brooker
25 March 2009 -
The return of Doctor Who
26 March 2005 -
Grand National televised
26 March 1960 -
Troubleshooter
27 March 1990 -
Opening of new Crystal Palace transmitter
28 March 1956 -
Going for a Song
31 March 1965 -
Teletubbies begins
31 March 1997