The Best TV Shows on Thames Television
Every Thames Television Show Ranked From Best To Worst
Thames Television has over 7 shows broadcast from as early as 1968 and as recent as 2000. Leading the pack on Thames Television are The Morecambe & Wise Show and The Life and Times of Lord Mountbatten, with their initial broadcasts in 1968 and 1969. As of January 2026, our compilation of Thames Television’s top-rated series boasts over 7 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.
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.