Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops was a weekly music show broadcast on BBC TV, BBC One and BBC Two between 01 January 1964 and 30 July 2006.

Transmission days

 * Wednesdays: 01 January 1964 - 16 September 1964
 * Thursdays: 24 September 1964 - 19 April 1973
 * Fridays: 27 April 1973 - 31 August 1973
 * Thursdays: 13 September 1973 - 29 May 1980 until strike, resuming 07 August 1980 - 06 June 1996.
 * Fridays: 14 June 1996 - 08 July 2005
 * Sundays: 17 July 2005 - 30 July 2006. (last 'regular' show 23 July 2006)

Significant dates
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
 * 01 January 1964 (Wednesday) - first episode broadcast from Manchester on BBC TV from 6.35 to 7.00 pm, introduced by Jimmy Savile
 * 22 April 1964 - first show on BBC One.
 * 24 September 1964 - first episode broadcast on the 'traditional' Thursday evening slot.
 * 27 April 1973 - show moved to Friday evenings, but then restored to its regular Thursday slot on 13 September after a fall in ratings.
 * 29 May 1980 - last show before two-month strike
 * 07 August 1980 - show resumes after strike.
 * 05 May 1983 - 1,000th edition
 * 05 September 1985 - show moved to 7.00 pm (Thursdays)
 * 31 December 1988 - 25th anniversary edition.
 * 03 October 1991 - drastic changes in the shows format such as new presenters replacing the traditional Radio 1 DJs, and a new purpose-built studio.
 * 04 January 1994 - Smashie and Nicey's Top of the Pops Party 30th anniversary special
 * 17 September 1994 - TOTP2 begins. "a mix of current music and pop nostalgia"
 * 06 June 1996 - last show on the Thursday 7.00 pm slot.
 * 14 June 1996 - show moved to Fridays at 7.00 pm.
 * 22 June 1997 - Top of the Pops radio show begins, broadcast on Radio 1 on Sunday afternoons at 3.00 pm, a one-hour 'backstage' show preceding the Top 40. Initially presented by Jayne Middlemiss then by Scott Mills until final show 17 December 2000.
 * 28 November 2003 - All New Top of the Pops launched.
 * 11 July 2005 - special Monday edition. The show is broadcast on BBC One for the last time before being moved to Sunday nights on BBC Two.
 * 17 July 2005 - first show in new Sunday 7.00 pm slot.
 * 10 September 2005 - Top of the Pops Reloaded begins. A new series shown on Saturdays at 11.00 am.
 * 23 July 2006 - last regular show.
 * 30 July 2006 - 'The Final Countdown'