The Best TV Shows on Thames Television
Every Thames Television Show Ranked From Best To Worst
Icons of Thames Television, The Morecambe & Wise Show and The Life and Times of Lord Mountbatten made their debut in 1968 and 1969, setting industry standards. With its programming history stretching from 1968 to 2000, Thames Television offers an impressive lineup of over 8 shows. As of March 2026, our compilation of Thames Television’s top-rated series boasts over 8 unique shows.
Burnside (2000)7.0Burnside is a British television police procedural drama, broadcast on ITV in 2000. The series, a spin-off from ITV's long-running police drama The Bill, focused on DCI Frank Burnside, formerly a detective at Sun Hill and now working for the National Crime Squad. Burnside ran for one series of six episodes, structured as three two-part stories.
The Morecambe & Wise Show (1968)6.0Long-running BBC variety show presented by Britain's best-loved comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Based around irreverent stand-up routines, comedy sketches and comical song and dance numbers involving a stream of beleaguered guests, the series ran for nearly a decade from 1968 to 1977 and included sketches such as 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'The Breakfast Stripper'.
The Life and Times of Lord Mountbatten (1969)N/ANarrated by Lord Mountbatten himself, this is a positive feast of history and archive material, some of it part of Mountbatten's personal collection. A masterpiece in history.
Cooking Price-Wise (1971)N/AVincent Price demonstrates how to cook dishes from around the world.
The World's Strongest Man (1977)N/AAthletes compete for a place in the World Finals.
TV Eye (1978)N/ACurrent affairs programme broadcasting in the late 70s / early 80s
Dick Emery - The Thames Television Specials (1979)N/AThree hour-long television specials filmed for Thames Television during Dick Emery's brief hiatus from his 15 successful years at the BBC. The shows feature all of Emery's best-loved comic characters, including favourites such as Hettie the sex-starved spinster, Gaylord the bovver boy, camp Clarence with his catchphrase 'Hello, honky-tonk!', and busty middle-aged blonde Mandy ('Ooh, you are awful!'). Guest stars include Lulu, Lynda Carter, Richard Todd, the Three Degrees, Gemma Craven and Beryl Reid.
The Magic Comedy Strip (1992)N/AThe Magic Comedy Strip was a British TV magic show that aired in 1992. The show featured a mix of resident (David Williamson, Ruby Cody, and The Pendragons) and guest performers. They were joined by comedians, special guests, and watched by a studio audience. The show generally opened with The Pendragons, or a guest illusionist, presenting a grand illusion, followed by a short comedy set. After the first commercial break, a guest magician would perform, followed by another comedian. After the second commercial break, the special guest would participate in a skit with a magician, and then the show would close with a grand illusions from The Pendragons.