An imposter of a channel (ITV 4)

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	ITV 4
Date:	07/01/08 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free, some different programmes

Disadvantages: Too many repeats and old dated series

ITV 4 is one of the extra commercial television channels that is available on freeview, cable and satellite. It can be found on channel 28 on Freeview and along with ITV 3 and ITV 2 runs many of the programmes shown on ITV. Unlike ITV2 and ITV3 it does not usually show all the repeats of Emmerdale and Coronation Street but rarely, if ever, shows any new programmes. ITV is also available on Virgin Media channel 15/22; Sky channel 120 and Tiscali channel 29. You can also catch it on Cable on Channel 117, Satellite on Channel 12 and free online at itv.com. So as you can see it is fairly easy to access.

The main programmes tend to be dramas and the more unusual comedies and films. ITV4 also often show exclusive world class boxing and UEFA Championship football which is Hubby's main reason for viewing.

Programmes kick off daily at 6pm. This time of day often sees a repeat of a series such as The Champions or Randall and Hopkirk deceased. These are not the modern remakes but the original series.

Tonight, Monday, has Minder at 8pm which is a light hearted comedy drama series from the 80's, or maybe earlier. It starred Dennis Waterman and George Cole but watching it these days it is just so dated.

9pm sees Police Camera action, which basically foloows real police chases. This is followed by a cr___y Jean Claude Van Damme film at 10pm. Bruce Willis in Mercury Rising follows hot on Van Damme's heels at 11.50pm, far too late if you are at work early the next day. The better films etc always seem to fall into this later category whilst the 6pm slot is usually a repeated series from a few decades ago.

More Police Camera follows the film and the Channel closes for the day with an episode of Millenium. The days viewing programme ends about 4am, unless you count the teleshopping that may then appear for a couple of hours.

So. My verdict.

As channels go it is ok. Being an ITV Channel of course there are adverts. Hubby and I find we usually watch something on this channel during the week. For me it is often a film whereas for Hubby it could be football. For example tomorrow kicks of at 6pm with Randall and Hopkirk followed by Andromeda, Police Camera, Police Camera, Minder, Mercury Rising, repeated from Monday but earlier at least, and the Longest Yard. The early hours go again to Police Camera, then Millenium and teleshopping.

Overall this is a poor excuse for a proper channel.Repeats, often not that good in the first place, with just the occasional shining star. However as a supplementary channel to the main ones it offers a little variety and occasionally a welcome film when the other channels have nothing too offer.

Too many old repeats though, repeated far too soon and often.

Thanks for reading
(C) Eiley 2008

Summary: OK in moderation