Which company famously had someone die in a fire to lessen the impact of its rival's launch?

MaggieG 5

That would have been the BBC radio programme 'The Archers' which famously killed off one of its main characters on the night of the launch of ITV. And in those days plotlines weren't emblazoned on the front page of every tabloid newspaper as they seem to be now, and so no one suspected a thing. It came as quite a shock and definitely took the shine off the launch of its rival tv company. Apparently it was a complete coincidence. Yeah, right! http://www.cult.tv/index.php?cm_id=753&cm_type=article Sep 12 05, 10:53 AM

gmackematix

Yay Maggie! ITV launched on 22nd September 1955, but only in the London area. Of the 4.5 million TV licence-holders in the UK, only 12.5% were "lucky" enough to see that first night of adverts with shows like "Take Your Pick" and "double Your Money". The first advert for Gibbs SR toothpaste was decided by drawing lots among the 28 companies scheduled to advertise that night (including Guinness, Lux, Surf, Brown & Polson custard and Brillo). But it eas indeed Grace Archer's death in a stable fire that garnered the next day's publicity. Sep 12 05, 5:58 PM