This Week (TV program)

This Week (TV program)
Show name	This Week
Genre	Political affairs, Current affairs, Interview
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Channel	ITV

This Week (TV program) was a British political television programme broadcast on ITV that examined contemporary affairs, public policy, and high-profile personalities through interviews, reports, and roundtable discussion. Launched during a period of intense public debate over Thatcherism, Falklands War, and changes in British broadcasting, the programme became a platform for interviews with senior politicians, international statesmen, and cultural figures. It combined elements of investigative journalism, editorial analysis, and studio debate, influencing subsequent current affairs formats across BBC One, Channel 4, and international networks.

Overview

The programme focused on topical issues involving figures from Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, and European institutions such as the European Commission and European Parliament. Episodes often addressed crises like the Miners' Strike (1984–85), diplomatic disputes involving the United States and the Soviet Union, and constitutional topics tied to the European Communities. The show booked interviews with prime ministers, cabinet ministers, opposition leaders, ambassadors, and international personalities including members of the United Nations Security Council, presiding judges from the European Court of Human Rights, and notable figures from the BBC and Financial Times.

Format and segments

Typical segments included a one-to-one studio interview with senior figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, John Major, Gordon Brown, and visiting leaders from the United States, France, Germany, or members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Long-form reports were produced on topics like Northern Ireland, Iraq War coverage, and economic issues tied to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Panel discussions featured journalists from outlets like The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Sky News, The Independent, and editors from The Economist. Special investigative features drew on expertise from academics at Oxford University, Cambridge University, London School of Economics, and policy institutes such as the Chatham House and Institute for Public Policy Research.

Recurring elements included on-the-road reports amid events such as G7 summit meetings, coverage of General elections, and live interviews during crises like the Gulf War and later interventions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The programme integrated audio-visual material from broadcasters including Reuters, Associated Press, and the BBC World Service.

Production and broadcast history

Produced by regional and national teams within ITV's network of companies—including Granada Television, Thames Television, Yorkshire Television, and Anglia Television—the series migrated across production houses as franchise contracts changed under the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the subsequent consolidation into ITV plc. Its scheduling shifted between late-night slots and Sunday afternoon windows, competing with programmes on BBC Two and Channel 4 News. Technological transitions included adoption of digital editing, satellite uplinks, and later high-definition workflows influenced by developments at Channel 4 and Sky. Rights deals and carriage negotiations involved executives from Ofcom and legacy regulators such as the Independent Television Commission.

Presenters and notable contributors

Presenters and interviewers associated with the programme included prominent broadcasters and journalists drawn from outlets like ITV News, BBC Newsnight, Channel 4 News, and national newspapers. Contributors ranged from political correspondents and foreign editors to documentary filmmakers and academic commentators from institutions such as King's College London, Queen Mary University of London, and the University of Edinburgh. High-profile interview subjects included heads of state, cabinet ministers from cabinets led by Harold Wilson's successors, foreign secretaries, defence ministers, ambassadors to the United Nations, and cultural figures like authors linked to Faber and Faber and filmmakers associated with the British Film Institute.

Reception and controversies

Reception varied: critics in publications such as The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and The Independent praised incisive interviews while others accused the show of sensationalism akin to tabloid broadcasting practiced by rivals. Episodes sparked controversy when high-ranking guests clashed with interviewers over events like the Suez Crisis retrospectives, leaks tied to the Spycatcher affair, and reporting on defence procurement controversies involving companies like BAE Systems. Regulatory complaints reached bodies such as the Broadcasting Standards Commission and later Ofcom, particularly after contentious interviews with figures linked to the Iraq Inquiry and allegations concerning intelligence dossiers.

Episodes and special editions

Special editions covered landmark events including live coverage of General elections, anniversary retrospectives of the Battle of Britain and the D-Day landings, and in-depth profiles of public figures awarded honours like the Order of the British Empire. The programme produced investigative series on financial scandals involving banks regulated by the Bank of England and exposés of corporate practices tied to multinational firms operating in regions like South Africa and Hong Kong. Collaborative specials featured co-productions with international outlets such as CNN, Al Jazeera, and public broadcasters in France and Germany for summits like the G20.

Legacy and influence

Its format influenced successors on ITV, including later political programming and Sunday morning formats that combined interviews, panels, and investigative reports. The show's alumni moved on to roles at BBC One, Channel 4, Sky News, academic posts at institutions like University of Oxford and think tanks such as Demos and Policy Exchange, and editorial positions at legacy newspapers and magazines including The Spectator and New Statesman. Archival footage has been cited in documentaries about late 20th-century British politics and referenced in studies published by university presses and media research bodies like the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

Category:ITV (TV network) original programming Category:British television news shows Category:Political television series