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3 January – BBC Open University broadcasts begin.
27 January – Valerie Barlow is electrocuted by a faulty hairdryer, and then perishes in a house fire on Coronation Street.
1 February – Radio only and combined radio & television licences are abolished.
8 February – The Colour Strike ends after three months of industrial action by ITV staff who had refused to work with colour television equipment after a dispute with their managers over pay.
February – BBC2 airs Elizabeth R, a drama serial of six 85-minute plays starring Glenda Jackson in the title role.
10 April – The Two Ronnies debuts on BBC1.
7 June – The UK children's magazine show Blue Peter buries a time capsule in the grounds of BBC Television Centre, due to be opened on the first episode of the year 2000. (let's dig it up in the year 2000?)
21 September – The Old Grey Whistle Test premieres on BBC2.
10 October – Upstairs, Downstairs debuts on ITV.