TISWAS ONLINE Totally unofficial tribute to the midlands flan-fest!

Tiswas © 1974 ATV Network Limited,
© 2004 Granada Media .
This is a non-profit site intended for education about the British televison series Tiswas.
This site acknowledges all copyrights and presents material under the 'Fair Use' clause of international copyright law, for the purpose of review.
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Heart and soul

ATV-Land itself. Was is it just the studios? Was it Birmingham? Was it the ATV region? Who knows?

ATV-Land's Broad Street entrance

Not quite properly part of ATV-Land, this is actually a listed building, which dates from pre-WW2 times, well before the studio complex was built. During ATV's time, this was mainly a technical centre for its output. In the age of Central, this changed purpose. It was now the main entrance, taking over from the Bridge Street door. The revolving doors led you into a reception lobby, and various offices housed news-gathering and admin operations.

The front hall to ATV Centre/Central House, and Lloyds TSB, in this aerial view of Broad Street, taken in summer 2005. The tall apartment building dominates this picture. It is the Alpha Tower, named after a set of Birmingham studios that ATV and ABC Television used to share prior to ATV's exodus to B1 2JP in the late 1960s. The architect behind the studio complex (barely visible in from this angle) also designed the Alpha Tower.The front hall to ATV Centre/Central House, and Lloyds TSB, in this aerial view of Broad Street, taken in summer 2005. The tall apartment building dominates this picture. It is the Alpha Tower, named after a set of Birmingham studios that ATV and ABC Television used to share prior to ATV's exodus to B1 2JP in the late 1960s. The architect behind the studio complex (barely visible in from this angle) also designed the Alpha Tower.

TiswasOnline visitor Louis Rayner has gone up close to the revolving doors entrance to capture this look at the inside of the reception lobby, still adorned with some Central Television branding. In the reflection, you can see an old war memorial across the street, which was visible in the Bucket Of Water Song video.TiswasOnline visitor Louis Rayner has gone up close to the revolving doors entrance to capture this look at the inside of the reception lobby, still adorned with some Central Television branding. In the reflection, you can see an old war memorial across the street, which was visible in the Bucket Of Water Song video.

A flat view of the Broad Street entrance from across the street. Taken in summer 2004.A flat view of the Broad Street entrance from across the street. Taken in summer 2004.

Another view of the Broad Street entrance, from summer 2004. In the foreground we have a gated-up vehicle entrance, using Central's 'rainbow' motif as a colour scheme, which dated back to the early 80s. Although not clearly visible here, the paint is peeling and faded. On the right of the photo, the pedestrian subway leads out right in front of the building, and in the background, you can see how the Hyatte Hotel rules the roost in nearby Bridge Street.Another view of the Broad Street entrance, from summer 2004. In the foreground we have a gated-up vehicle entrance, using Central's 'rainbow' motif as a colour scheme, which dated back to the early 80s. Although not clearly visible here, the paint is peeling and faded. On the right of the photo, the pedestrian subway leads out right in front of the building, and in the background, you can see how the Hyatte Hotel rules the roost in nearby Bridge Street.

Back on the Birmingham Wheel again, for another look at the building from above, but positioned to show more of Broad Street.Back on the Birmingham Wheel again, for another look at the building from above, but positioned to show more of Broad Street.

Louis Rayner has got his best shot yet of the reception area. Plenty of Central 'cake' logos around.Louis Rayner has got his best shot yet of the reception area. Plenty of Central 'cake' logos around.

A closer look at the reception area from Louis Rayner, eager to show some of the Central Television branding inside.A closer look at the reception area from Louis Rayner, eager to show some of the Central Television branding inside.

All five of the TiswasOnline team at our very first meeting. We're right in front of the old Central television revolving doors, about to instigate a custard pie fight. From left to right: Andrew 'staplingmachine' Wooding; webmaster Peter Thomas; Marc 'Neunie' Neun; the artist formerly known as Matthew Butler, and Lee Bannister. Two of these people appeared on Tiswas - Matthew and Andrew - Matthew far more prolificly, as he was the singing six year old boy dressed in a rabbit suit.All five of the TiswasOnline team at our very first meeting. We're right in front of the old Central television revolving doors, about to instigate a custard pie fight. From left to right: Andrew 'staplingmachine' Wooding; webmaster Peter Thomas; Marc 'Neunie' Neun; the artist formerly known as Matthew Butler, and Lee Bannister. Two of these people appeared on Tiswas - Matthew and Andrew - Matthew far more prolificly, as he was the singing six year old boy dressed in a rabbit suit.

Another shot of the TiswasOnline team (left to right: Neunie; staplingmachine; Peter Thomas; Matthew Lewis (nee Butler!) and Lee Bannister) outside the Broad Street entrance. It was February 2005, and we were very cold indeed.Another shot of the TiswasOnline team (left to right: Neunie; staplingmachine; Peter Thomas; Matthew Lewis (nee Butler!) and Lee Bannister) outside the Broad Street entrance. It was February 2005, and we were very cold indeed.

Finally, we can't resist another view from the Birmingham Wheel at Broad Street again, this time angled downwards (not good for vertigo sufferers!) and showing even more of the street itself, and a fraction of those gardens where the Bucket Of Water Song video took place.Finally, we can't resist another view from the Birmingham Wheel at Broad Street again, this time angled downwards (not good for vertigo sufferers!) and showing even more of the street itself, and a fraction of those gardens where the Bucket Of Water Song video took place.

 

Tiswas Reunited

Tiswas Reunited is now available on DVD - an extended version of the show seen on ITV1 in 2007, with plenty of extras. TiswasOnline has been covering this revival project and has contributed to it. See the official blog and other show details at our Tiswas Reunited minisite!


Tiswas on DVD - 3rd Oct 2005 - buy it now via TiswasOnline and Amazon!
TiswasOnline is part of ATVLAND.net
Sally is in the school uniform business

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Random Tiswas quote:
"Week after week you write in asking why do we have to be subjected to this appalling drivel" CT

Random Tiswas fact:
Combining his role and presenter and producer, you could often see CT hovering in the background barking orders. He produced it for 4 series, and he was a presenter for 7!