Channel 5 is dedicating multiple weekends this April to the 1970s, offering a programming block filled with documentaries, quizzes, and entertainment focused entirely on the decade that shaped modern Britain.
Here’s the Lowdown: The themed weekends will feature a mix of shows revisiting 70s culture, food, work, and entertainment. Announced titles include Sally Lindsay’s 70’s Quiz Night, where host Sally Lindsay is joined by team captains John Thompson and Shaparak Khorsandi and celebrity guests to test their knowledge of the decade. Also airing is The 70s Big Night In, where modern families watch classic Saturday night TV from 50 years ago.
What This Means Now: Viewers can expect a deep dive into 70s life. Other shows include The 1970s School Disco, exploring this teenage rite of passage; 1971: When Britain Went Decimal, detailing the massive currency changeover; The Queen and the Traitor: A Great British Scandal, about the Anthony Blunt spy affair; The Cancellation of Benny Hill, examining the comedian’s rise and fall; and Paul Daniels – You’ll Like This, a biography of the famous magician featuring his wife Debbie McGee.
The Bigger Picture: This 70s focus represents a significant programming event for Channel 5, aiming to capture viewers with a blend of nostalgia, history, and light entertainment. By exploring various facets of the decade – from major historical events like decimalisation to cultural touchstones like school discos and controversial figures like Benny Hill – the channel hopes to provide both entertainment and reflection on a transformative period in British history, starting this April.
