ITV has hit a mighty milestone - first launched on September 22, 1955, the home of The X Factor, Downton Abbey and more is 60 years old today.
In its six decades, ITV has produced some of the biggest, best and most memorable TV shows in British broadcasting history.
But while everyone else is talking up Gladiators, Coronation Street and Blind Date, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the channel's less celebrated gems.
1. The Krypton Factor (1977-1995)
"Television's Toughest Quiz!" boomed the announcer back when the show launched in 1977. And even almost forty years later, nothing has quite matched Granada's brutal search for a UK superperson since.
Resembling a cross between a byzantine parlour game and a Soviet-era punishment for shoplifting, each week saw four more contestants subjected to a variety of cruel and unusual tests – from terrifying memory tests to landing a Boeing 747 (albeit on a simulator).
But worst of all? The Physical Agility round, where each wretched contestant was forcibly driven down a rainswept 400m Army assault course near Bury by screaming squaddies. Sheer barbarism.
Now add the industrial Kraftwerk-esque theme tune, the Nietzschean Superman references and the cold, emotionless commentary by presenter Gordon Burns? And, well, it starts to put our namby-pamby 21st century quiz shows in sharp perspective. Only Connect, anyone?
2. Press Gang (1989-1993)
Devised by a rookie writer named Steven Moffat for ITV's weekday children's strand, such was the quality of Press Gang that it appealed to a much wider age range than anyone expected.
A crafty Channel 4 later picked up the show and aired it on Sunday evenings - expanding its following still further - and some 25-odd years since original transmission, the story of Lynda, Spike and the The Junior Gazette staff retains a dedicated fanbase.
Its top-notch cast - Julia Sawalha, Dexter Fletcher, EastEnders' Lucy Benjamin and Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar - have gone on to big things, while Moffat's now the busiest man in television - juggling the epic BBC double of Doctor Who and Sherlock - but this early establishing effort deserves a little recognition in ITV's anniversary year.
3. The Champions (1968-1969)
ITC Entertainment produced a large roster of terrific genre series for ITV in the '60s and '70s. Some - The Saint, The Prisoner - are hailed as all-time classics, while others have maintained only a cult following.
Following into the latter-camp is The Champions, which starred Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo and William Gaunt as three secret agents with special powers.
This groovy spy-fi series is an unmistakable product of the the late '60s, but - with its handsome heroes and larger-than-life villains - it was the sort of bold, colourful, expensive family drama that UK television doesn't produce nearly enough of these days.
4. Police Camera Action! (1994-2010)
There's an abundance of telly shows out there made up of police footage 'best bits' - ITV4 packs its schedule with them - but one of the first, and arguably still the best, is Police Camera Action!.
It had an educational edge - don't end up like this lot, folks! - but with in-show subtitles like 'Driven to Distraction' and 'When Lorries Become Lethal', this Alistair Stewart vehicle (no pun intended) wasn't masquerading as anything other than pure entertainment.
Police Camera Action! is never going to be hailed by critics as one of ITV's greats - or even celebrated much by the channel itself - but if you were after some compelling post-pub viewing, this long-running show was just the ticket (alright, pun intended that time).
5. The Second Coming (2003)
When it comes to controversial subject matter, religion is about as hot a potato as you can get. 2003's The Second Coming, then, remains one of the ballsiest things that ITV has ever commissioned.
Before they paired up on Doctor Who, Russell T Davies cast Christopher Eccleston as the second coming of Christ in this two-part drama. If that weren't provocative enough, the story ended with Eccleston's Steven Baxter committing suicide - in effect, 'killing God' - so that humanity can prosper without religion.
The Second Coming was commended by critics at the time, but its daring should continue to be recognised as ITV hits an important milestone.
6. The Tomorrow People (1973-1979)
Speaking of Doctor Who, ITV's response to the BBC sci-fi is not as widely celebrated as its rival. But for a generation of '70s kids, The Tomorrow People provided escapist sci-fi thrills on a weekly basis.
Following a pack of gifted teens - or 'Homo Superior' - this was the closest thing to an X-Men TV show that Brit kids of the time could hope for. The idea that you too could be a superhero-in-waiting - waiting for your own chance to 'break out' - proved irresistible to many young viewers.
Its execution wasn't faultless, but the central concept of The Tomorrow People proved captivating enough to inspire a glossy US remake in 2013, and a superb - though sadly truncated - audio series.
7. The Flint Street Nativity (1999)
This festive one-off from Calendar Girls writer Tim Firth was a brilliant take on putting together a school Nativity play - and starred a late '90s who's-who of comedy actors, including Neil Morrissey, Stephen Tompkinson, Jane Horrocks, Mark Addy and Frank Skinner.
Featuring an oversized set that helped create the illusion that its adult stars were school kids - trying to impress their dysfunctional parents - The Flint Street Nativity should be a festive staple in the UK, but has hardly been repeated since its first '99 airing.
There's so many fantastic comic moments - from Skinner's King Herod tripping over his cloak, to John Thomson's evil innkeeper taking a shine to Mary - but it's also genuinely heartfelt, as the kids deal with broken homes and broken baby Jesus dolls. Try and dig this one out at Christmas and you won't be disappointed.
8. Bostock's Cup (1999)
Before Mike Bassett, there was Bostock's Cup, a one-off mockumentary about a fictional - and rubbish - footy team from the 1970s. The better-known Ricky Tomlinson movie had its moments, but it didn't have anything on Bostock, which charted a wild season for a third division club named Bostock Stanley - from an FA cup win to relegation.
Starring Neil Pearson, Tim Healy and Nick Hancock, some of the highlights included the filmmaker's obvious affair with the manager's wife, the sloping pitch and Bertie Masson's half-time tirade that made Sir Alex Ferguson look calm and collected.
One of the funniest examples of the mock-doc genre, Bostock's Cup deserves to be held in the same high regard as This Is Spinal Tap, but has gone unappreciated these past 17 years - a huge shame.
9. Terrahawks (1983-1986)
Gerry Anderson is best remembered for Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet or Stingray – and yet this dark, child-warping ITV puppet series ran for longer than any of them. Mainly thanks to awesome characters like Tiger Ninestein - he's one of nine clones, you know - and Kate Kestrel, alien-fighter and part-time pop superstar.
But star of the show was Zelda: part Sharon Osbourne, part 5-week-old apple, she was the genuinely terrifying, shrivelled leader of the Guk alien race, who (like Osbourne, oddly) was fond of deploying, then berating, her slightly dim offspring to do her dirty work.
True, the whole thing couldn't be more '80s. But add in a killer theme tune, and it surely deserves a repeat or reboot. Thankfully, new audio versions from Big Finish have been produced with the original cast to tide us over.
10. Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986)
The legend of Robin Hood has inspired a wealth of adaptations, but few as accomplished as this '80s ITV series, which starred first Michael Praed and later Jason Connery as versions of the fabled archer.
Soon to be revived for a one-off charity audio special, Robin of Sherwood was a more grounded take on the myth, winning over audiences who'd tired of Errol Flynn imitators.
Robin of Sherwood even starred a young Ray Winstone as Robin's ally Will Scarlet - it certainly knocks the BBC's '00s adaptation into a cocked hat.
Do you have a favourite ITV show that never gets the credit it deserves? Share your own picks in the comments.
In its six decades, ITV has produced some of the biggest, best and most memorable TV shows in British broadcasting history.
But while everyone else is talking up Gladiators, Coronation Street and Blind Date, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the channel's less celebrated gems.
1. The Krypton Factor (1977-1995)
"Television's Toughest Quiz!" boomed the announcer back when the show launched in 1977. And even almost forty years later, nothing has quite matched Granada's brutal search for a UK superperson since.
Resembling a cross between a byzantine parlour game and a Soviet-era punishment for shoplifting, each week saw four more contestants subjected to a variety of cruel and unusual tests – from terrifying memory tests to landing a Boeing 747 (albeit on a simulator).
But worst of all? The Physical Agility round, where each wretched contestant was forcibly driven down a rainswept 400m Army assault course near Bury by screaming squaddies. Sheer barbarism.
Now add the industrial Kraftwerk-esque theme tune, the Nietzschean Superman references and the cold, emotionless commentary by presenter Gordon Burns? And, well, it starts to put our namby-pamby 21st century quiz shows in sharp perspective. Only Connect, anyone?
2. Press Gang (1989-1993)
Devised by a rookie writer named Steven Moffat for ITV's weekday children's strand, such was the quality of Press Gang that it appealed to a much wider age range than anyone expected.
A crafty Channel 4 later picked up the show and aired it on Sunday evenings - expanding its following still further - and some 25-odd years since original transmission, the story of Lynda, Spike and the The Junior Gazette staff retains a dedicated fanbase.
Its top-notch cast - Julia Sawalha, Dexter Fletcher, EastEnders' Lucy Benjamin and Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar - have gone on to big things, while Moffat's now the busiest man in television - juggling the epic BBC double of Doctor Who and Sherlock - but this early establishing effort deserves a little recognition in ITV's anniversary year.
3. The Champions (1968-1969)
© Moviestore Collection/REX
ITC Entertainment produced a large roster of terrific genre series for ITV in the '60s and '70s. Some - The Saint, The Prisoner - are hailed as all-time classics, while others have maintained only a cult following.
Following into the latter-camp is The Champions, which starred Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo and William Gaunt as three secret agents with special powers.
This groovy spy-fi series is an unmistakable product of the the late '60s, but - with its handsome heroes and larger-than-life villains - it was the sort of bold, colourful, expensive family drama that UK television doesn't produce nearly enough of these days.
4. Police Camera Action! (1994-2010)
There's an abundance of telly shows out there made up of police footage 'best bits' - ITV4 packs its schedule with them - but one of the first, and arguably still the best, is Police Camera Action!.
It had an educational edge - don't end up like this lot, folks! - but with in-show subtitles like 'Driven to Distraction' and 'When Lorries Become Lethal', this Alistair Stewart vehicle (no pun intended) wasn't masquerading as anything other than pure entertainment.
Police Camera Action! is never going to be hailed by critics as one of ITV's greats - or even celebrated much by the channel itself - but if you were after some compelling post-pub viewing, this long-running show was just the ticket (alright, pun intended that time).
5. The Second Coming (2003)
When it comes to controversial subject matter, religion is about as hot a potato as you can get. 2003's The Second Coming, then, remains one of the ballsiest things that ITV has ever commissioned.
Before they paired up on Doctor Who, Russell T Davies cast Christopher Eccleston as the second coming of Christ in this two-part drama. If that weren't provocative enough, the story ended with Eccleston's Steven Baxter committing suicide - in effect, 'killing God' - so that humanity can prosper without religion.
The Second Coming was commended by critics at the time, but its daring should continue to be recognised as ITV hits an important milestone.
6. The Tomorrow People (1973-1979)
© Rex Features / FremantleMedia Ltd
Speaking of Doctor Who, ITV's response to the BBC sci-fi is not as widely celebrated as its rival. But for a generation of '70s kids, The Tomorrow People provided escapist sci-fi thrills on a weekly basis.
Following a pack of gifted teens - or 'Homo Superior' - this was the closest thing to an X-Men TV show that Brit kids of the time could hope for. The idea that you too could be a superhero-in-waiting - waiting for your own chance to 'break out' - proved irresistible to many young viewers.
Its execution wasn't faultless, but the central concept of The Tomorrow People proved captivating enough to inspire a glossy US remake in 2013, and a superb - though sadly truncated - audio series.
7. The Flint Street Nativity (1999)
This festive one-off from Calendar Girls writer Tim Firth was a brilliant take on putting together a school Nativity play - and starred a late '90s who's-who of comedy actors, including Neil Morrissey, Stephen Tompkinson, Jane Horrocks, Mark Addy and Frank Skinner.
Featuring an oversized set that helped create the illusion that its adult stars were school kids - trying to impress their dysfunctional parents - The Flint Street Nativity should be a festive staple in the UK, but has hardly been repeated since its first '99 airing.
There's so many fantastic comic moments - from Skinner's King Herod tripping over his cloak, to John Thomson's evil innkeeper taking a shine to Mary - but it's also genuinely heartfelt, as the kids deal with broken homes and broken baby Jesus dolls. Try and dig this one out at Christmas and you won't be disappointed.
8. Bostock's Cup (1999)
Before Mike Bassett, there was Bostock's Cup, a one-off mockumentary about a fictional - and rubbish - footy team from the 1970s. The better-known Ricky Tomlinson movie had its moments, but it didn't have anything on Bostock, which charted a wild season for a third division club named Bostock Stanley - from an FA cup win to relegation.
Starring Neil Pearson, Tim Healy and Nick Hancock, some of the highlights included the filmmaker's obvious affair with the manager's wife, the sloping pitch and Bertie Masson's half-time tirade that made Sir Alex Ferguson look calm and collected.
One of the funniest examples of the mock-doc genre, Bostock's Cup deserves to be held in the same high regard as This Is Spinal Tap, but has gone unappreciated these past 17 years - a huge shame.
9. Terrahawks (1983-1986)
Gerry Anderson is best remembered for Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet or Stingray – and yet this dark, child-warping ITV puppet series ran for longer than any of them. Mainly thanks to awesome characters like Tiger Ninestein - he's one of nine clones, you know - and Kate Kestrel, alien-fighter and part-time pop superstar.
But star of the show was Zelda: part Sharon Osbourne, part 5-week-old apple, she was the genuinely terrifying, shrivelled leader of the Guk alien race, who (like Osbourne, oddly) was fond of deploying, then berating, her slightly dim offspring to do her dirty work.
True, the whole thing couldn't be more '80s. But add in a killer theme tune, and it surely deserves a repeat or reboot. Thankfully, new audio versions from Big Finish have been produced with the original cast to tide us over.
10. Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986)
The legend of Robin Hood has inspired a wealth of adaptations, but few as accomplished as this '80s ITV series, which starred first Michael Praed and later Jason Connery as versions of the fabled archer.
Soon to be revived for a one-off charity audio special, Robin of Sherwood was a more grounded take on the myth, winning over audiences who'd tired of Errol Flynn imitators.
Robin of Sherwood even starred a young Ray Winstone as Robin's ally Will Scarlet - it certainly knocks the BBC's '00s adaptation into a cocked hat.
Do you have a favourite ITV show that never gets the credit it deserves? Share your own picks in the comments.