Editing Channel 4 (section)

===1982–1992: Launch and IBA control===
After some months of test broadcasts, the new broadcaster began scheduled transmissions on 2 November 1982 from Scala House, the former site of the [[Scala Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Roe|first=Ken|title=Scala Cinema Club|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/29396|url-status=live|website=Cinema Treasures|access-date=2 August 2021|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802111935/http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/29396}}</ref> Its initial broadcasts reached 87% of the United Kingdom.<ref name=varhist>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=2 November 1992|page=87|title=Web's decade of controversy}}</ref>

The first voice heard on Channel 4's opening day of 2 November 1982 was that of [[continuity announcer]] [[Paul Coia]] who said: "Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to be able to say to you, welcome to Channel 4."<ref name=RTC42012>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Paul|title=Channel 4 turns 30: relive the first day on air|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-11-02/channel-4-turns-30-relive-the-first-day-on-air/|work=[[Radio Times]]|date=2 November 2012|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808033750/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-11-02/channel-4-turns-30-relive-the-first-day-on-air/|url-status=dead }}</ref> Following the announcement, the channel played a montage of clips from its programmes set to the station's signature tune, "Fourscore", written by [[David Dundas (musician)|David Dundas]], which would form the basis of the station's jingles for its first decade. The first programme to air on the channel was the teatime game show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'', produced by [[Yorkshire Television]], at 16:45. The first person to be seen on Channel 4 was [[Richard Whiteley]], with [[Ted Moult]] being the second. Whiteley hosted the gameshow for 23 years until his death in 2005. The first woman on the channel, contrary to popular belief, was not Whiteley's ''Countdown'' co-host [[Carol Vorderman]], but a lexicographer only ever identified as Mary. Whiteley opened the show with the words: "As the countdown to a brand new channel ends, a brand new countdown begins."<ref name=RTC42012/> On its first day, Channel 4 also broadcast the soap opera ''[[Brookside (TV series)|Brookside]]'', which often ran storylines thought to be controversial; this ran until 2003.

After three days, ITV chiefs called for founding chief executive [[Jeremy Isaacs]] to resign due to poor ratings. Critics called it "Channel Bore" and "Channel Snore".<ref name=varhist/>

At its launch, Channel 4 committed itself to providing an alternative to the existing channels, an agenda in part set out by its remit which required the provision of programming to minority groups. In step with its remit, the channel became well received both by minority groups and the arts and cultural worlds during this period under Isaacs, during which the channel gained a reputation for programmes on the contemporary arts. Two programmes captured awards from the [[Broadcasting Press Guild]] in March 1983: best comedy for ''[[The Comic Strip Presents]]…Five Go Mad in Dorset,'' and best on-screen performance in a non-acting role for [[Tom Keating]] in his series ''On Painters''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gosling |first=Kenneth |date=18 March 1983 |title=Channel 4 wins two awards |pages=5 |work=[[The Times]]}}</ref> Channel 4 co-commissioned [[Robert Ashley]]'s television opera ''[[Perfect Lives]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertashley.org/productions/1977-83-perfectlives.htm|title=Robert Ashley-Perfect Lives|website=www.robertashley.org|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225015138/http://www.robertashley.org/productions/1977-83-perfectlives.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> which it premiered over several episodes in 1984. The channel often did not receive mass audiences for much of this period, as might be expected for a station focusing on minority interests. During this time, Channel 4 also began the funding of independent films, such as the [[Merchant Ivory]] docudrama ''[[The Courtesans of Bombay]]''.

In 1987, [[Richard Attenborough]] replaced [[Edmund Dell]] as chairman. In 1988, [[Michael Grade]] became CEO.<ref name=varhist/>

In 1992, Channel 4 faced its first libel case which was brought by [[Jani Allan]], a South African journalist, who objected to her representation in [[Nick Broomfield]]'s documentary ''[[The Leader, His Driver and the Driver's Wife]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/901342.stm |title=Victims of the 'silver fox' |access-date=20 August 2007 |work=BBC News |date=29 August 2000 |archive-date=27 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327230632/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/901342.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>