The Roxy (TV series)

"The Roxy" was a British television music programme that was broadcast on ITV in the late 1980s. It was produced by Tyne Tees Television following the demise a few months earlier of its more successful music show "The Tube".

This 30 minute programme made its debut in 1987 and was presented by David Jensen and Kevin Sharkey. The show opened with Erasure performing Victim Of Love. It featured the music chart as used on its sister programme, a radio show called "The Network Chart Show".

Whereas "The Tube" featured rock and punk bands and emerging musicians, "The Roxy" concentrated on the mainstream UK singles chart. The show suffered, however, from not having a regular slot on the ITV network. Also, unlike "The Tube" which had gained a loyal fanbase and respect from artists, mainstream acts were reluctant to travel to Newcastle upon Tyne for a three minute performance when they could appear on the more established "Top of the Pops" in the more accessible London. [cite web |first=Steve |last=Williams |title=It's still Number One, it's... |work=Off the Telly |url=http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/lightentertainment/totp.htm |date=August 2006 |accessdate=2007-09-17]

After an industrial dispute which saw the end of live performances. and failing to compete with its long running BBC counterpart, "Top of the Pops", "The Roxy" was cancelled. The programme lasted for just over a year. The final edition of "The Roxy" was broadcast on Tuesday April 5 1988.

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