Compact 1962
★ 5.0/10 · 3 votes DramaSoap 4 seasons · 373 eps Ended
Quick answer
What is Compact?
Compact was a British television series that aired from 1962 to 1965. The show was created by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling, who also devised another series called Crossroads.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1962
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 373
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Jan 2, 1962
- Last aired
- Jul 30, 1965
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC One
- Genres
- Drama, Soap
- Updated
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Estimate the schedule using 373 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Compact was a British television series that aired from 1962 to 1965. The show was created by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling, who also devised another series called Crossroads. Compact was a soap opera that differed from other shows of its time, such as Coronation Street, in its focus on the middle class. The series was set in the world of magazine publishing, which provided a unique backdrop for the characters' personal and professional storylines. The show was broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays by the BBC. Compact is described as an early "avarice" soap, exploring the intersection of business and personal lives. The series was shown on the BBC during its run. The creators of Compact went on to work on other projects, with Hazel Adair and Peter Ling being credited as the minds behind the series.
Sources & verification
Compact — The Movie Database (TMDB)
COMPACT-TV - YouTube
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Should you watch it?
“A British soap opera set within the professional and personal world of a magazine publishing company.”
Reasons to watch
- explores business workplace dynamics
- contrasts with kitchen sink realism
Keep in mind
- limited availability of surviving episodes
Watch it if you are interested in the evolution of British daytime television serials.
The series features middle-class characters and professional workplace drama typical of early 1960s British television.
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Ask anything about Compact — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
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Episode guide
Season 1 · 105 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 The First Issue Jan 2, 1962
- E2 Advice To Readers Jan 4, 1962
- E3 Efficiency Expert Jan 9, 1962
- E4 Cover Photograph Jan 11, 1962
- E5 Tea Break Jan 16, 1962
- E6 Personal Problem Jan 18, 1962
- E7 The New Broom Jan 23, 1962
- E8 Sally Speaks Up Jan 25, 1962
- E9 Question Of Identity Jan 30, 1962
- E10 Wedding Grove Feb 1, 1962
- E11 Suspicion Of Theft Feb 6, 1962
- E12 Happy Birthday Feb 8, 1962
- E13 Valentine's Day Feb 13, 1962
- E14 Testing Time Feb 15, 1962
- E15 Something To Celebrate Feb 20, 1962
- E16 Press Reception Feb 22, 1962
- E17 A True Story Feb 27, 1962
- E18 Circulation Figures Mar 1, 1962
- E19 News From New York Mar 6, 1962
- E20 A Breath Of Air Mar 8, 1962
- E21 The Party Mar 13, 1962
- E22 After The Ball Mar 15, 1962
- E23 Shocks And Bruises Mar 20, 1962
- E24 Weekend Mar 22, 1962
- E25 Action Stations Mar 27, 1962
- E26 The Ideal Husband Mar 29, 1962
- E27 Future Plans Apr 3, 1962
- E28 Facing The Facts Apr 5, 1962
- E29 A Night Out Apr 10, 1962
- E30 Point Of Departure Apr 12, 1962
- E31 Surprises By Post Apr 17, 1962
- E32 A Piece Of Cake Apr 19, 1962
- E33 Pets Corner Apr 24, 1962
- E34 The Man For The Job Apr 26, 1962
- E35 Down The Hatch May 1, 1962
- E36 Stormy Weather May 3, 1962
- E37 Musical Evening May 8, 1962
- E38 Talent Contest May 10, 1962
- E39 Visting Hours May 15, 1962
- E40 Mixed Receptions May 17, 1962
- E41 Home And Away May 22, 1962
- E42 Day Of Frenzy May 24, 1962
- E43 Moment Of Truth May 29, 1962
- E44 In A Spin May 31, 1962
- E45 The Big Chance Jun 5, 1962
- E46 Garden Party Jun 7, 1962
- E47 Happy Returns Jun 12, 1962
- E48 Man And Wife Jun 14, 1962
- E49 Blackmail Jun 19, 1962
- E50 Take-Over Time Jun 21, 1962
- E51 The Proposal Jun 26, 1962
- E52 Faraway Places Jun 28, 1962
- E53 Barbecue Jul 3, 1962
- E54 A Day Of Problems Jul 5, 1962
- E55 Comings And Goings Jul 10, 1962
- E56 Looking Ahead Jul 12, 1962
- E57 Weekend Plans Jul 17, 1962
- E58 Settlement Day Jul 19, 1962
- E59 Gone Astray Jul 24, 1962
- E60 Evening Date Jul 26, 1962
- E61 A Night Out Jul 31, 1962
- E62 Pay Off Aug 2, 1962
- E63 Moving Up Aug 7, 1962
- E64 Surprise Party Aug 9, 1962
- E65 Riding For A Fall Aug 14, 1962
- E66 Unguarded Moment Aug 16, 1962
- E67 Skin Deep Aug 21, 1962
- E68 The Contest Aug 23, 1962
- E69 Ebb And Flow Aug 28, 1962
- E70 Budget Leak Aug 30, 1962
- E71 Andiamo Sep 4, 1962
- E72 Out For The Count Sep 6, 1962
- E73 Finger Of Suspicion Sep 11, 1962
- E74 Detective Work Sep 13, 1962
- E75 The Elopement Sep 18, 1962
- E76 Heartbeat Sep 20, 1962
- E77 The First Clue Sep 25, 1962
- E78 Trapped Sep 27, 1962
- E79 The Morning After Oct 2, 1962
- E80 Facing The Facts Oct 4, 1962
- E81 Heart To Heart Oct 9, 1962
- E82 Day Of Revolutions Oct 11, 1962
- E83 True To Type Oct 16, 1962
- E84 Where There's Smoke Oct 18, 1962
- E85 Burns And Shock Oct 23, 1962
- E86 Who's Who? Oct 25, 1962
- E87 Horoscope Oct 30, 1962
- E88 Point Of Departure Nov 1, 1962
- E89 The Truth Of The Matter Nov 6, 1962
- E90 A Case Of Identity Nov 8, 1962
- E91 Questions And Answers Nov 13, 1962
- E92 French Leave Nov 15, 1962
- E93 Lost And Found Nov 20, 1962
- E94 Art And Craft Nov 22, 1962
- E95 The Best Laid Plans Nov 27, 1962
- E96 Profit And Loss Nov 29, 1962
- E97 Setting A Trap Dec 4, 1962
- E98 Sparks Flying Dec 6, 1962
- E99 The Bad Penny Dec 12, 1962
- E100 All That Jazz Dec 14, 1962
- E101 Five More Shopping Days Dec 18, 1962
- E102 Christmas Spirit Dec 20, 1962
- E103 Business As Usual Dec 27, 1962
- E121 Unofficial Strike Feb 28, 1963
- E279 Many questions Sep 7, 1964
Season 2 · 105 episodes
- E1 Happy Birthday Jan 1, 1963
- E2 Merely Players Jan 3, 1963
- E3 Picture Page Jan 8, 1963
- E4 Research Pays Off Jan 10, 1963
- E5 Waiting For News Jan 15, 1963
- E6 Staff Changes Jan 17, 1963
- E7 The New Editor Jan 22, 1963
- E8 To See Ourselves Jan 24, 1963
- E9 Changing Step Jan 29, 1963
- E10 Military Honours Jan 31, 1963
- E11 Vital Talks Feb 5, 1963
- E12 The Man For The Job Feb 7, 1963
- E13 Black Ice Feb 12, 1963
- E14 The Magpie's Hoard Feb 14, 1963
- E15 The Thief Feb 19, 1963
- E16 United We Stand Feb 21, 1963
- E17 Shrove Tuesday Feb 26, 1963
- E18 Unofficial Strike Feb 28, 1963
- E19 Emergency Mar 5, 1963
- E20 Normal Working Mar 7, 1963
- E21 On The Edge Mar 12, 1963
- E22 Shock Tactics Mar 14, 1963
- E23 The Winner Mar 19, 1963
- E24 Chicken And Champagne Mar 21, 1963
- E25 The Highway Man Mar 26, 1963
- E26 A List Of Names Mar 28, 1963
- E27 The Wrong Idea Apr 2, 1963
- E28 Fire And Water Apr 4, 1963
- E29 A Question Of Age Apr 9, 1963
- E30 Tangled Web Apr 11, 1963
- E31 Little Boy Lost Apr 16, 1963
- E32 Sent To Coventry Apr 18, 1963
- E33 Money Trouble Apr 23, 1963
- E34 Mr Bruce Remembers Apr 25, 1963
- E35 Echo From The Past Apr 30, 1963
- E36 The Puffing Doctor May 2, 1963
- E37 A Novel Situation May 7, 1963
- E38 Bitter Wine May 9, 1963
- E39 Moments Of Truth May 14, 1963
- E40 The New Understanding May 16, 1963
- E41 I'll Be In Scotland Before Ye May 21, 1963
- E42 Auld Acquaintance May 23, 1963
- E43 Family Crisis May 28, 1963
- E44 The McDee In London May 30, 1963
- E45 A Day At The Seaside Jun 4, 1963
- E46 Run Away Jun 6, 1963
- E47 Truth Will Out Jun 11, 1963
- E48 Living In The Past Jun 13, 1963
- E49 Big Brother Jun 18, 1963
- E50 Out In Limbo Jun 20, 1963
- E51 A Case Of Desperation Jun 26, 1963
- E52 Welcome Home Jun 28, 1963
- E53 Missing Facts Jul 2, 1963
- E54 Artist Unknown Jul 4, 1963
- E55 Back To Work Jul 9, 1963
- E56 Where Is The Skeleton? Jul 11, 1963
- E57 A Mystery Solved Jul 16, 1963
- E58 Highland Fling Jul 17, 1963
- E59 The Ultimatum Jul 23, 1963
- E60 Power Play Jul 25, 1963
- E61 The Reluctant Heroine Jul 30, 1963
- E62 Principles Won't Stop James Aug 1, 1963
- E63 Who Pays For Leadership? Aug 6, 1963
- E64 Because Of Alan Aug 8, 1963
- E65 Stolen - One Cigarette Case, Gold Aug 13, 1963
- E66 Man Proposes Aug 15, 1963
- E67 Investigations Proceed Aug 20, 1963
- E68 A Shower Of Confetti Aug 22, 1963
- E69 On The Run Aug 27, 1963
- E70 The Gamblers Aug 29, 1963
- E71 Lost, Stolen, Or Strayed Sep 3, 1963
- E72 A Ring For Iris Sep 5, 1963
- E73 Faith And Begorra Sep 10, 1963
- E74 A Touch Of The Blarney Sep 12, 1963
- E75 Surprise Packet Sep 17, 1963
- E76 The Sound Of Fury Sep 19, 1963
- E77 Aftermath Sep 24, 1963
- E78 The Party Member Sep 26, 1963
- E79 The Mighty Fallen Oct 1, 1963
- E80 The Reception Oct 3, 1963
- E81 Alarms And Excursions Oct 8, 1963
- E82 Two Faced Oct 10, 1963
- E83 Stranded Oct 15, 1963
- E84 Two Lovely Black Eyes Oct 17, 1963
- E85 Chain Of Events Oct 22, 1963
- E86 Night Call Oct 24, 1963
- E87 Dinner At Eight Oct 29, 1963
- E88 Marmot James Again Oct 31, 1963
- E89 Fireworks All Round Nov 5, 1963
- E90 Wine and a Weekend Nov 7, 1963
- E91 You Have Talent - We Want It Nov 12, 1963
- E92 They Fell Among Thieves Nov 14, 1963
- E93 The News Breaks Nov 19, 1963
- E94 Happy Birthday Nov 21, 1963
- E95 The Tax Man Cometh Nov 26, 1963
- E96 Bottled On The Premises Nov 28, 1963
- E97 Celebration Dec 3, 1963
- E98 Afterthoughts Dec 5, 1963
- E99 No Promises - I'll Take Cash Dec 10, 1963
- E100 Wait For The Bang Dec 12, 1963
- E101 The New Editor Dec 17, 1963
- E102 A Job For The Boy Dec 19, 1963
- E103 Dress Rehearsal Dec 24, 1963
- E104 On Stage Dec 26, 1963
- E105 Happy New Year Dec 31, 1963
Season 3 · 103 episodes
- E1 Weekend Guest Jan 2, 1964
- E2 A Place Of Your Own Jan 4, 1964
- E3 A Question Of Morals Jan 6, 1964
- E4 The Enquiry Jan 14, 1964
- E5 The Opening Jan 16, 1964
- E6 Hand In Marriage Jan 21, 1964
- E7 The Best Policy Jan 23, 1964
- E8 One Of Us Must Go Jan 28, 1964
- E9 Love You And Leave You Jan 30, 1964
- E10 Battle Of The Sexes Feb 4, 1964
- E11 Unexpected Guests Feb 6, 1964
- E12 Mutual Understanding Feb 11, 1964
- E13 Surprises Feb 13, 1964
- E14 Walls Have Ears Feb 16, 1964
- E15 In The Air Feb 17, 1964
- E16 The Poison Spreads Feb 25, 1964
- E17 The Fatal Call Feb 27, 1964
- E18 An End And A Beginning Mar 3, 1964
- E19 The Night Visitors Mar 5, 1964
- E20 Plots And Plans Mar 10, 1964
- E21 Secrets And Lies Mar 12, 1964
- E22 The Ides Of March Mar 17, 1964
- E23 False Evidence Mar 19, 1964
- E24 A Difficult Assignment Mar 24, 1964
- E25 The Eve Of The Wedding Mar 26, 1964
- E26 Just Married - Good Luck Mar 31, 1964
- E27 Honeymoon And Holidays Apr 2, 1964
- E28 Rush Job Apr 7, 1964
- E29 Moment Of Truth Apr 9, 1964
- E30 Hot And Cold Apr 14, 1964
- E31 Home And Away Apr 16, 1964
- E32 Ian In Danger Apr 19, 1964
- E33 Investigations Apr 24, 1964
- E34 Guilty Conscience Apr 28, 1964
- E35 To Be Delivered By Hand Apr 30, 1964
- E36 Business Not Blackmail May 5, 1964
- E37 A Ray Of Hope May 7, 1964
- E38 Success Story May 12, 1964
- E39 Wine, Women, And Song May 14, 1964
- E40 Delicate Negotiations May 19, 1964
- E41 Parties And Quarrels May 21, 1964
- E42 Who Is Eddie Pritchard? May 26, 1964
- E43 Crossed Swords May 28, 1964
- E44 A Question Of Loyalties Jun 2, 1964
- E45 Picture Clue Jun 4, 1964
- E46 To Catch A Thief Jun 9, 1964
- E47 Play On Crime Jun 11, 1964
- E48 The Unexpected Jun 16, 1964
- E49 Encounter Jun 18, 1964
- E50 The Verdict Was Guilty Jun 23, 1964
- E51 Emergency Call Jun 25, 1964
- E52 The Kiss Of Life Jun 30, 1964
- E53 Have You Anything To Say? Jul 2, 1964
- E54 Hide And Seek Jul 7, 1964
- E55 Find The Lady Jul 9, 1964
- E56 Responsibilities Jul 14, 1964
- E57 Time Of Trial Jul 16, 1964
- E58 A Boy Comes Home Jul 21, 1964
- E59 Old Friends And Familiar Faces Jul 23, 1964
- E60 The Offer Jul 28, 1964
- E61 The Dilemma Jul 30, 1964
- E62 The Bowler Hat Trick Aug 4, 1964
- E63 A Game Of Consequences Aug 6, 1964
- E64 Model Mystery Aug 11, 1964
- E65 Unexpected Temperament Aug 17, 1964
- E66 Paradise - My Island Home Aug 20, 1964
- E67 Departures Aug 24, 1964
- E68 Backfire Aug 27, 1964
- E69 Business With Pleasure Aug 31, 1964
- E70 Treasure Hunt Sep 3, 1964
- E71 Many Questions Sep 7, 1964
- E72 Blow The Wind - Westerly Sep 9, 1964
- E73 Dear Mister Bruce Sep 14, 1964
- E74 Unconditional Surrender Sep 17, 1964
- E75 Best Laid Plans Sep 22, 1964
- E76 Credit Where Credit's Due Sep 25, 1964
- E77 The Warning Sep 29, 1964
- E78 Departure And Return Oct 2, 1964
- E79 Friends And Relations Oct 6, 1964
- E80 Goodbye Forever Oct 9, 1964
- E81 The Shadow Of Danger Oct 13, 1964
- E82 Between Life And Death Oct 16, 1964
- E83 A Spy In The Camp Oct 20, 1964
- E84 Smugglers Gold Oct 23, 1964
- E85 Kooky Christening Oct 27, 1964
- E86 Moving On Oct 30, 1964
- E87 To The Rescue Nov 3, 1964
- E88 Over The Wall Nov 6, 1964
- E89 Mistaken Identity Nov 10, 1964
- E90 Home And Dry Nov 13, 1964
- E91 Maiden Voyage Nov 17, 1964
- E92 Tangled Web Nov 20, 1964
- E93 Secrets All Round Nov 24, 1964
- E94 Lost Property Nov 27, 1964
- E95 The Truth Will Out Dec 1, 1964
- E96 Weekend Plans Dec 3, 1964
- E97 Accident - Presumed Drowned Dec 8, 1964
- E98 On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner And Blitzen! Dec 11, 1964
- E99 Seven More Shopping Days Dec 15, 1964
- E100 Change Partners Dec 18, 1964
- E101 Do Me A Favour! Dec 22, 1964
- E102 A Surprise For Christmas Dec 25, 1964
- E103 A Partridge In A Pear Tree Dec 29, 1964
Season 4 · 61 episodes
- E1 Ring In The New Jan 1, 1965
- E2 Day Of Deliverance Jan 5, 1965
- E3 Fare Thee Well, For I Must Leave Thee Jan 8, 1965
- E4 Discoveries Of The Day Jan 12, 1965
- E5 Togetherness Jan 15, 1965
- E6 Troublemaker Jan 19, 1965
- E7 The Last Straw Jan 22, 1965
- E8 Heart To Heart Jan 26, 1965
- E9 Late Call Jan 29, 1965
- E10 A Marriage Has Been Arranged… Feb 2, 1965
- E11 Many A Slip Feb 5, 1965
- E12 Thunder On The Left Feb 9, 1965
- E13 Tell It Not In Faith Feb 12, 1965
- E14 A Family Affair Feb 16, 1965
- E15 Change Of Plan Feb 19, 1965
- E16 Kidnapped Feb 23, 1965
- E17 It Happens To Other People Feb 26, 1965
- E18 Where There's Smoke Mar 2, 1965
- E19 Patience On A Monument Mar 5, 1965
- E20 Blow Hot, Blow Cold Mar 9, 1965
- E21 Change Of Heart Mar 12, 1965
- E22 Food For Thought Mar 16, 1965
- E23 The End Of A Song Mar 19, 1965
- E24 The Man From Paris Mar 23, 1965
- E25 The Wrong Set Mar 26, 1965
- E26 The Egnet Sings Mar 30, 1965
- E27 A Cigarette That Bears A Lipstick's Trace Apr 2, 1965
- E28 The Last Act Apr 6, 1965
- E29 A Tangled Web Apr 9, 1965
- E30 Who's Who? Apr 13, 1965
- E31 Never Trust A Woman Apr 16, 1965
- E32 Travellers Return Apr 20, 1965
- E33 Gone Away Apr 23, 1965
- E34 Publish And Be Damned Apr 27, 1965
- E35 Action For Libel Apr 30, 1965
- E36 Testing Time May 4, 1965
- E37 Plots, Plans, And A Party May 7, 1965
- E38 True Or False? May 11, 1965
- E39 Hide And Seek May 14, 1965
- E40 Wild Goose Chase May 18, 1965
- E41 High Court, Low Court May 21, 1965
- E42 Hostilities Called Off May 25, 1965
- E43 Best Laid Schemes May 28, 1965
- E44 Trouble Brewing Jun 1, 1965
- E45 Any Other Business? Jun 4, 1965
- E46 Time Flies Jun 8, 1965
- E47 Friends And Enemies Jun 11, 1965
- E48 Day Of Decision Jun 15, 1965
- E49 Hidden Depths Jun 18, 1965
- E50 Appearances Can Be Deceptive Jun 22, 1965
- E51 The Truth Will Out Jun 25, 1965
- E52 The Off-White Elephant Jun 29, 1965
- E53 Winners And Losers Jul 2, 1965
- E54 Engagements At Sea Jul 6, 1965
- E55 Storm Warning Jul 9, 1965
- E56 Change Of Plans Jul 13, 1965
- E57 Trouble Across The Water Jul 16, 1965
- E58 Destination - Paris Jul 20, 1965
- E59 Paris Is For Lovers Jul 23, 1965
- E60 If The Shoe Fits… Jul 27, 1965
- E61 Journey's End Jul 30, 1965
Frequently asked questions
When did Compact air?
The series was broadcast on the BBC between 1962 and 1965.
Who created the show?
Compact was created by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling.
What was the setting of the series?
The show was set in the arena of magazine publishing.
How often was it broadcast?
The program was scheduled for broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Who else did the creators work with?
Hazel Adair and Peter Ling went on to devise the series Crossroads.