The Oxford Road Show was a British music and youth magazine television program that aired on BBC2 from 1981 to 1985. It was broadcast from the BBC's New Broadcasting House on Oxford Road in Manchester. The show featured live music performances, pop music news, and competitions, and was presented as a program addressing issues relevant to young adults.
Many popular bands and artists of the time performed on the show, including Duran Duran, The Cure, Madness, U2, Tears for Fears, UB40, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and The Smiths. The show also featured stand-up comedy, with Ben Elton having a regular spot before he became widely known.
The program underwent several changes in format and presenters over its five seasons, with notable hosts including Rob Rohrer, Martin Bergman, Jackie Spreckley, Paula Yates, Robert Elms, and Peter Powell. In its later years, it was rebranded as ORS 84 and ORS 85, introducing different celebrity hosts each week and a phone-in quiz segment.
