Below is a list of early colour TV shows produced in the UK between the late 1950s up to 1970, by which point the majority of programmes were being produced in colour. The list features titles of shows, TV companies, transmission dates, formats and their archival status; noting whether they are lost, partially or mostly missing or have episodes that exist in B&W. Also included are some programmes which had one-off transmissions, where applicable.
BBC2 was the first European broadcaster to show colour programmes from 1 July 1967, ahead of ITV and BBC1, who both began broadcasting in colour from 15 November 1969. This list includes shows that were recorded in colour but whose first UK broadcast was in black-and-white; most of these shows were sold to US networks who were already broadcasting in colour.
Pre-1966 +TitleCompanyTXFormatArchival statusThe Adventures of Sir Lancelot ITC Entertainment1956–57Film (various stocks for experimentation)Exists Ivanhoe ITV (Screen Gems/Sydney Box)1958–59 (pilot episode only)FilmExists Journey of a LifetimeABC1961FilmExistsMan of the WorldATV1962–63 (pilot episode only)FilmExistsStingrayITC Entertainment1964–65FilmExistsThunderbirdsITC Entertainment1965–66FilmExists
1966 +TitleCompanyTXFormatArchival statusThe BaronITC Entertainment1966–67FilmExistsCamberwick GreenBBC11966FilmExistsDare I Weep, Dare I MournRediffusion1966FilmExistsHippodrome ShowITV (Rediffusion/ARTV)1966Video tape (VT)All episodes The first in a series of shows ARTV filmed in NTSC colour for US transmission, though shown in monochrome in the UK.The Human VoiceRediffusion1966–67VTRExistsIvanovITC Entertainment1966VTRExistence unknown The Palladium ShowITV (ATV)1966–69 (1 test episode + 6 for US transmission)VTSome exist The SaintITC Entertainment1962–69
(Series 5–6)FilmExistsThe TormentorsATV1966VTRExists
1967 +TitleCompanyTXFormatArchival statusThe AvengersITV (ABC/Thames)1961–69
(Series 5–6)FilmAll colour episodes exist The Benny Hill ShowATV1967VTRExistence unknownThe Black and White Minstrel ShowBBC21958–78
(Series 10–20) VTSome episodes existCaptain Scarlet and the MysteronsITC Entertainment1967–68FilmExistsThe Flower of GlosterITV (Granada)1967Film ExistsHalf Hour StoryITV (Rediffusion)1967–68 (1 test episode)FilmExistsHorizonBBC21964–present
(Series 4 onwards)Film/VTMost episodes existLate Night Line-UpBBC21964–72
(Jun 67 onwards)VTSome episodes existMan in a SuitcaseITC Entertainment1967–68FilmExistsOnce More with FelixBBC21967–70VTSome episodes exist Some episodes survive as inserts recorded by Bob Pratt; one complete episode survives as a B&W tele-recording.The Piccadilly PalaceITV (ATV)1967VTSome episodes exist Filmed in NTSC for US transmission, the series was shown in B&W in the UK.The PrisonerITC Entertainment1967–68FilmExistsThe Small Rebellion of Jess Calvert (play)Rediffusion1967VT/Film.. experimental electronic film systemExistence unknownSpotlightATV/ITC1967VTExistsTheatre 625 BBC21964–68
(Series 5)VTSome episodes exist TrumptonBBC11967FilmExistsVanity FairBBC21967–68VTExists The majority of episodes survive as NTSC copies.Wimbledon Tennis ChampionshipsBBC1/21937–present (1967 onwards)VTMost colour transmissions exist
1968 +TitleCompanyTXFormatArchival status1968 Summer OlympicsBBC1/21968VTExistsThe Big Show aka ShowtimeATV/ITC1968VTExistsBobbie GentryBBC21968–71VTSome episodes exist Broaden Your MindBBC21968–69VTLost Some 35mm colour film inserts exist.Call My BluffBBC21965–2005VTMost episodesThe ChampionsITC Entertainment1968–69FilmExistsCold Comfort FarmBBC21968VTExistsColour Me PopBBC21968–69VTSome episodes exist Three complete episodes survive in colour; an incomplete episode also exists.Danger ManITC Entertainment1960–68
(Series 4)FilmExistsThe Dave Allen ShowBBC1/21968–69VTMost episodes exist The Eurovision Song ContestVarious 1957–present (1968 onwards)VTMost transmissions exist Parts of the 1970 contest exist in monochrome.Frontier ABC (UK)1968VT Existence unknownGardeners' WorldBBC21968–presentVTMost episodes exist Goodbye AgainITV (ATV)1968VTExists The Growing SummerLWT1968filmExistence unknownHorne A'Plenty Xmas showThames1968VTExistence unknownIn Their Own Words BBC21968FilmExistJazz at the MaltingsBBC21968–69VTSome episodes exist Joe 90ITC Entertainment1968–69FilmExistsJourney to the UnknownHammer/Twentieth Century Fox1968filmExistsLate Night HorrorBBC21968VTOne episode exists Man AliveBBC21965–82
(Series 3–16)Film/VTMost episodes exist MartyBBC21968–69VTMost episodes exist The Morecambe & Wise ShowBBC1/21968–77VTMost episodes exist One Pair of EyesBBC21967–84
(Series 2 onwards)FilmExistsOoh La LaBBC21968–73VTSeries 3 onlyScott On...BBC21964–74
(Series 2–5)VTSome episodes exist Sherlock HolmesBBC21965–68
(Series 2)VTSome episodes exist Tom Gratton's War YTV1968–70filmExistsThe World of BeachcomberBBC21968VTLost
1969 +TitleCompanyTXFormatArchival statusAll Gas and GaitersBBC11967–71
(Series 3–5)VTSome episodes existThe Big MatchITV1968–92 (Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodes existChigleyBBC11969FilmExistsCillaBBC11968–76
(Series 3–8)VTMost episodes existCivilisationBBC21969FilmExistsCoronation StreetITV (Granada)1960–present
(Nov 69 onwards)VTExists CrossroadsITV (ATV/Central)1964–88
(Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodes exist Some 1970–1 episodes were affected by the ITV Colour Strike.Curry and ChipsITV (LWT)1969VTExistsDad's ArmyBBC11968–77
(Series 3–9)VTMost colour episodes exist The episode "Room at the Bottom" only survives as a B&W telerecording.Dee TimeBBC11967–70
(Nov 69 onwards)VTNo colour episodes exist Department SITC Entertainment1969–70FilmExistsThe Dick Emery ShowBBC11963–81
(Dec 69 onwards)VTMost episodes existDixon of Dock GreenBBC11955–76
(Nov 69 onwards)VTSome episodes existDoctor in the HouseITV (LWT)1969–70VTExistsThe Flaxton BoysYTV (Yorkshire)1969–71VTExists From a Bird's Eye ViewITC Entertainment1969FilmExistsFrost on SundayITV (LWT)1968–70
(Oct 69 onwards)VTMost episodes existGirls About TownITV (ATV)1969–71VTOne colour episode exists The Gnomes of DulwichBBC21969VTLostThe Golden ShotITV (ATV)1967–75 (Nov 69 onwards)VTSome episodes exist Some episodes recovered from domestic videotape copies, courtesy of presenter, Bob Monkhouse.The Good Old DaysBBC11953–83
(Dec 69 onwards)VTMost episodes exist GrandstandBBC11958–2007
(Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodes existHadleighITV (Yorkshire)1969–76VTExists Episodes 1, 2, 8, 9 and 13 of series two were shown in monochrome owing to the ITV Colour Strike.The Liberace Show ATV1969VT Some episodes exist Lift Off with AysheaITV (Granada) 1969–74VTSome episodes existMagpieITV (Thames)1968–80
(Nov 69 onwards)VTSome episodes existMale of the Species ATV/ITC 1969 VT ExistsMatch of the DayBBC1/21964 – present
(Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodes existMonty Python's Flying CircusBBC11969–74VTExistsMr Digby DarlingITV (Yorkshire)1969–71
(Series 2–3)VTExistsNearest and DearestITV (Granada)1968–73
(Series 3–7)VTExistsNot in Front of the ChildrenBBC11967–70
(Series 4)VTSome episodes existOut of the UnknownBBC21965–71
(Series 3–4)VTSome episodes exist Some surviving colour episodes survive as B&W tele-recordings.Panorama BBC11953–present
(Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodes existParkin's PatchITV (Yorkshire)1969–70VTExists Paul TempleBBC1/ ZDF1969–71VTSome episodes existPlease Sir!ITV (LWT)1968–72
(Series 2–4)VTExists Episodes 12–14 of series 3 were taped in monochrome, due to the ITV Colour Strike.Pop Go the SixtiesBBC1/ ZDFTX: 31/12/1969VTExistsPot BlackBBC21969–2007VTMost episodes exist A large number of episodes are missing from series 1–8.Prince Charles InvestitureBBC2TX: 1/7/1969VTExistsPublic EyeITV (ABC/ Thames)1965–72
(Series 4–7)VT/FilmAll colour episodes
exist Episodes 1–3, 6 and 12 of Series 5 were shot in monochrome due to the ITV Colour Strike.Q...BBC21969–82VTMost episodes existRandall and Hopkirk (Deceased)ITC Entertainment1969–70FilmExistsThe Secret ServiceITC Entertainment1969FilmExistsSez LesITV (Yorkshire)1969–76
(Series 2–11)VTSeries 3–11 existsThe Sky at NightBBC11957–present
(Dec 69 onwards)VTMost episodesSoftly, Softly: Task ForceBBC11969–76VTExistsThe Sooty ShowITV (Thames)1968–92
(Dec 69 onwards)VTMost episodesStrange ReportITC Entertainment1969–70FilmExistsTake Three GirlsBBC11969–71VTSome episodesThis Is Tom JonesITV (ATV)1969–71VTExists This Is Your LifeITV (Thames)/ BBC11955–64, 1969–2003, 2007
(Series 10 onwards)VTMost episodesTomorrow's WorldBBC11965–2003
(1970 onwards)VTMost episodes The majority of colour episodes are lost prior to 1981.Top of the PopsBBC1/21964–2006
(Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodes Up Pompeii!BBC1/ ITV (Thames)1969–91VTExists All episodes survive as NTSC copies.The Wednesday PlayBBC11964–70
(Nov 69 onwards)VT/FilmMost episodesWhere Was Spring?BBC21969–70VTLost World of SportITV1965–85
(Nov 69 onwards)VTMost episodesThe WorkerITV (ATV/Thames)1965–78
(Series 3–5)VTMost episodes Series 5 consists of short sketches that featured on Bruce Forsyth's Big Night (1978–80). Some of the episodes have been recovered from VHS recordings.World in FermentBBC21969VTAudio only
1970 +TitleCompanyTXFormatArchival statusThe Adventures of Rupert BearITC Entertainment1970–77FilmExistsAlbert and VictoriaITV (Yorkshire)1970–71VTExistsArmchair TheatreITV (ABC/ Thames)1956–74
(Series 10–16)VTMost episodesBachelor FatherBBC11970–71VTExists Barry Humphries’ ScandalsBBC21970VTLostBlue PeterBBC11958–present
(Sept 70 onwards)VTMost episodesBraden's WeekBBC11968–72 (Series 3–4)VTSome episodesCallanITV (ABC/ Thames)1967–72
(Series 3–4)VTAll colour episodes Dear Mother...Love AlbertITV (Thames/ Yorkshire)1969–72VTSeries 2–4 Series 3 was shot in monochrome, owing to the ITV Colour Strike.Disco 2BBC21970–1VTSome episodes Some surviving episodes survive as B&W tele-recordings.Doctor WhoBBC11963 – present
(Season 7 onwards)Film/VTAll colour episodes Some colour episodes survive as NTSC copies, off-air tapes and B&W tele-recordings with chroma dots. Only one colour episode, The Mind of Evil episode one, has no surviving authentic colour image data – this episode has been recolourised.First serial on film only.Dr. Finlay's CasebookBBC11962–71
(Series 8)VTSome episodes The DustbinmenITV (Granada) 1969–70
(Series 3–4)VTMost episodes A Family at WarITV (Granada)1970–72VTExists Episodes 12–19 of series 2 were affected by ITV Colour Strike.Father Dear FatherITV (Thames)1968–73
(Series 3–7)VTExistsFIFA World Cup – 1970BBC/ ITV1970VTMost transmissions existFor the Love of AdaITV (LWT)1970–71VTExistsFreewheelersITV (Southern)1968–73 Series 4–8VTMost episodes The GoodiesBBC2/ ITV (LWT)1970–82VTMost episodes Hark at BarkerITV (LWT)1969–70
Series 2VTExists One episode, "Rustless on Law" (TX: 17/7/1970), survives a B&W tele-recording.How!ITV (Southern)1966–81
(Series 4–17)VTSome episodesIt's Cliff RichardBBC11970–76VTMost episodes Some episodes exist as B&W tele-recordings.Jokers WildITV (Yorkshire)1969–74
(Series 2–9)VTExistsThe Kenny Everett ExplosionITV (LWT)1970VTFragment exists The LoversITV (Granada)1970–71VTExistsManhuntITV (LWT)1970VTExistsThe MisfitITV (ATV)1970–71VTExists All episodes survive as B&W tele-recordings.Never Mind the Quality, Feel the WidthITV (ABC/ Thames)1967–71
(Series 4–6)VTExists No – That's Me Over Here!ITV (Rediffusion/LWT)
(Series 3)1967–70VTSeries 3 onlyNot Only... But AlsoBBC21965–70
(Series 3)VT16mm colour film inserts exist Oh, Brother!BBC11968–70
(Series 3)VTAll colour episodes exist Oh In ColourBBC21970VTExists On the BusesITV (LWT)1969–73
(Series 3–7)VTExists Play for TodayBBC11970–84VT/Film Most episodes Some episodes from series 1–5 are missing; a few exist as B&W tele-recordings.Queenie's CastleITV (Yorkshire)1970–72VTExists A Question of Sport BBC11968–2023 (Series 1 onwards)VTMost episodes Steptoe and SonBBC11962–65, 1970–74 (Series 5–8)VTExists That's Your FuneralBBC11970–1VTExists Till Death Us Do PartBBC11965–75