Heartbeat City, a late night music video programme 'for modern fans who just cannot get enough', was launched by TVNZ in February 1987.
Initially screening Friday nights at 11pm on TV2 (now TVNZ 2) for an hour, Heartbeat City aimed to bridge the gap between TVNZ's existing music programmes, Radio with Pictures (rock) and Ready to Roll (pop).
According to series producer Peter Blake, who also composed the theme tune, there were numerous music videos that didn't chart highly but still appealed to the public. Given its late night slot, Heartbeat City provided an outlet to showcase these clips. In addition, genres that didn't align with the rock format, such as soul music and adult-oriented pop and rock, found a home on Heartbeat City.
Key components of the programme, as Blake noted, included regular archival clips spanning various music genres - from punk to pop to British and American rock 'n roll. Approximately 15 minutes of each show were devoted to specific concert footage with the likes of Tom Petty, Simple Minds, Yes and Black Sabbath.
Blake, who was replaced as producer by Simon Morris in mid-1987, also envisioned incorporating occasional interviews and news items on music events in a magazine-style format. The programme did not have a presenter, opting for a fast-paced tempo to engage the Friday night audience.
In 1988 Heartbeat City was shifted to Saturday nights at approximately 11.30pm and Jude Callen, who had joined the Heartbeat City team as director a year earlier, took over from Morris as producer. The programme concluded that December.
Here are the opening titles for Heartbeat City's second year (1988).
Special thanks to RU-vid channel Sleek822 for the use of this clip.
7 сен 2024
