The first editions of TV Plus and What’s On TV joined the revamped TV Times and Radio Times – all out now. TV Times runs to 100 pages this week, taking in satellite and BBC Radio for the first time (recent issues 76-80pp). Cover price is halved from 50p to 25p, and will remain this price next week. The format is generally unchanged,with features up front followed by film previews and then the (extended) day-by -day listings. A revamped TV planner takes up the centre pages and competitions abound, including one to “Win Will’s Ball” (Will Carling,England Rugby captain). Equal space is given to all four terrestrial channels. Of the 100 pages,over 28 contain advertising,and there are several competition features
What’s On TV is not unlike its parent title,running to 64 pages,but with even greater emphasis on competitions,which are featured on almost every other page of the TV listings. There are 11 pages of advertising (excluding comps). (Full details of advertisers follow).. What’s On TV includes the most detailed satellite listings of the three titles, and takes in BBC radio. The reader is launched straight into listings, starting (as with TV Times) with film. Features come at the back,including an article on bats,similar to a TVTimes feature of last week. A kids insert, Zap, summarises children’s programmes and includes cartoons. What’s On TV costs 25p
TV Plus is the most magazine-like of these three titles.Running to 76 pages, the debut issue contains 18 pages of advertising plus (more) competitions and an insert from Next Directory. Features include fashion,food and flowers plus French and Saunders,and “What The Royals Watch.” Listings follow features (starting as late as page 62),and give little space to satellite TV and none to radio. Sports listings are summarised in a sporting feature as well. The magazine is bright and lively,and the extent of feature material may surprise many. Cost – 45p.
NB Diana watches The Clothes Show Anne never misses Question Of Sport Radio Times’ first all-inclusive issue sells at 50p (no change) and contains 116 pages (32 pages of advertising plus 3 pages of holiday classifieds and its own quota of competitions – including yet another chance to win a Metro). Features are at the front of the magazine,followed by a preview section and comprehensive TV-film details.The listings give equal space to each terrestrial channel,including a handy at-a-glance guide to each evening. Daily highlights are also featured. Satellite listings day-by-day come after the main TV details and are preceded by an A-Z of satellite TV films for the week ahead. The radio section is far more extensive than that in TVTimes, going through local BBC,national BBC and a brief listing for World Service. Local ILR stations are simply listed. Holiday classifieds come at the rear of the magazine.
