In the years before Netflix and Amazon Prime, when our televisions had no more than a handful of channels, locally made programmes were beamed into our homes, bringing local voices to our screens and launching many careers.
With most of the content being produced at either the BBC's Blackstaff studios or UTV's Havelock House, you never knew who you would bump into if you were walking down the Ormeau Road or Ormeau Avenue.
As satellite and cable TV took over and more channels became available, we sadly saw a decline in the number of locally produced programmes on our screens.
Take a walk down memory lane with some of our top picks below and let us know what local programmes you can remember in the comments.
School Around The Corner
School Around the Corner ran on UTV between 1995 and 2005. Having originally began as a radio programme on RTÉ in 1954, the programme saw the presenter question primary school children who would often respond in a cute or humorous way.
Romper Room
Having gained popularity in the USA, UTV franchised the hit preschool programme Romper Room in 1964. Originally hosted by Miss Adrianne (Adrianne Catherwood), followed by Miss Helen (Helen Madden) and Miss Rose (Rose Neill), the show is famously remembered for the Do Bee song and the 'magic mirror' which allowed the host to see and name some of the children watching the programme.
Town Challenge
Town Challenge was based on French TV show Intervilles and each week it saw two towns from across Northern Ireland battle against each other in a series of fun competitions and challenges with the overall winner receiving the Town Challenge Trophy. It ran from 1997 until 2002 with Hugo Duncan being joined by George Jones until 2000 and later Christine Lampard and former Big Brother star Tom McDermott.
Jenny Bristow
Former Home Economics teacher turned celebrity chef, Jenny Bristow opened up the kitchen of her Cullybackey farmhouse to teach us some of her recipes. Having made her television debut in 1989, Bristow was a staple on our tv screens until her last programme was transmitted in 2007.
The John Daly Show
The John Daly Show was a chat show which ran on BBC One in the early 2000s and saw a variety of guests including Sir Roger Moore and Westlife join John Daly in the studio.
Password
Password ran on UTV between 1985 and 1987 and was hosted by Brian Munn followed by Gordon Burns. It saw two celebrity-civilian teams compete to guess the password with a point being deducted for each unsuccessful try. ITV announced earlier this year that the show is set to return in 2024 with new hosts Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper.
Anderson On The Box
Anderson On The Box aired on Friday nights on the BBC. It was based on Gerry Anderson's hit Radio Ulster programme and saw him joined in the studio by a live audience and his on-air partner in crime Sean Coyle. The programme attracted guests such as Norman Wisdom and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Kelly
Kelly ran on UTV between 1989 and 2005. The popular chat show saw Gerry Kelly joined by guests including Dolly Parton, George Best and a nine-year-old Rory McIlroy. The show initially ran for one hour before being extended to 90 minutes and moved to a prime time Friday night slot. Gerry Kelly returned to host a similar chat show on NVTV last year.
McKeever
Comedian Nuala McKeever burst on to our screens starring as Emer in the BBC's Give My Head Peace. After leaving the programme, she wrote and starred in her own sketch show McKeever on UTV with a variety of hilarious characters including Mickey's Ma and Hillary Hamilton.
Patrick Kielty Almost Live
Co Down born comedian Patrick Kielty hosted his own chat show on BBC One between 1999 and 2003. The show saw Kielty chat to a variety of guests on the now infamous green sofa including Canadian country star Shania Twain, Meat Loaf and Peter Kay.
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