An American's-eye-view of the programmes made by Yorkshire TV in the 1980s.

This programme was made in 1987 as part of Focus on Britain, a series sponsored by the Central Office for Information and intended for US television audiences. In it, viewers are introduced to the intricacies of British broadcasting, using the ITV franchise Yorkshire Television (YTV) as a case study. The presenters visit YTV's studios in Leeds, interview senior commissioners, and take a trip to the fictional village of Beckindale and the location of Emmerdale Farm, which at this point, shot exterior scenes in the town of Esholt.

The presenters describe the appeal of Emmerdale as taking viewers "down on the farm in prime time". There are good-natured interviews with cast members, who gamely represent their characters in terms Americans might be familiar with. Frazer Hines characterises the Sugden family as "the modern-day Waltons" (a hugely popular historical series in the US at the time), adding, "Joe is the nearest, I think, to John-Boy", while Richard Thorp evokes the international hit Dallas, describing contentious businessman Alan Turner as "the JR of Emmerdale Farm". There is also humourous footage and vox pox with the Emmerdale fans, who arrive on set by the coach-load.

After focusing on Emmerdale, the programme returns to other YTV shows, including a look at the regional magazine Calendar, serving six million viewers. There's a glimpse of a musical special with Cleo Laine and more interviews with senior staff, such as controller of programmes John Fairley.

Produced for transmission in the United States. Looks at British television using Yorkshire Television productions as examples. (23 mins).