University Challenge
University Challenge is a British television quiz programme which first aired in 1962. University Challenge aired for 913 episodes on ITV from 21 September 1962 to 31 December 1987, presented by quizmaster Bamber Gascoigne. The BBC revived the programme on 21 September 1994, the programme's 32nd anniversary, with Jeremy Paxman as the quizmaster. Paxman relinquished his role as host following the conclusion of the 52nd series in 2023, after which he was succeeded by Amol Rajan.[2] In October 2022, an ITV documentary, Paxman: Putting Up With Parkinson's, explored how Parkinson's disease has impacted him[3] and revealed that Paxman recorded his very last episode of University Challenge on 15 October 2022, which aired on 29 May 2023.[4][5]
This article is about the British series. For the New Zealand series, see University Challenge (New Zealand TV series).University Challenge
- Don Murray-Henderson
- Jim Pope
- Roger Tilling
Derek New
"Ting A Ling" performed by Duke Ellington (1962–1963)
"College Boy" performed by: Derek New (1963–2000)
the Balanescu Quartet (2000–present)
United Kingdom
English
53
1,792 (as of 4 February 2019)[1]
- Granada Studios (1962–2013)
- Dock10 studios (2013–present)
30 minutes
- Granada Television (1962–2009)
- ITV Studios Entertainment (2009–2020)
- Lifted Entertainment (2021–present)
21 September 1962 –
31 December 1987
28 December 1992 –
present
The current title holders are Imperial College London, who won a record fifth title in the final of the 2023-24 series on 8 April 2024.
On 21 April 2023, the BBC unveiled a new set and title card, which debuted on Rajan's first episode, which aired on 17 July 2023.[6][7]
The show has always been produced by the same company (originally named Granada Television, renamed ITV Studios in 2009 and renamed again Lifted Entertainment in 2021), under licence from Richard Reid Productions and the College Bowl Company.[8] It was recorded at Granada Studios in Manchester from its inception until the studios closed down in 2013; it is now recorded at Dock10 studios in Salford.[9]
History
Format continuity
Despite periodic changes to the sets, studio layout, and presentation, University Challenge has preserved a high level of continuity from 1962 to the present. Some commentators have cited this as an essential element of its success.[10] Elements of this continuity include: