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Champions (TV series)

Champions is the title most commonly associated with a British espionage, science fiction and occult-adventure television series broadcast on ITV in 1968–1969.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Champions is a British espionage, science fiction and occult-adventure television series broadcast on ITV in 1968–1969. It follows three agents whose lives change after a plane crash leads to their gaining enhanced abilities from a hidden Tibetan civilisation. The title has also been used for later television series in other countries, including an American sitcom in 2018 and a South African sports drama in 2024.

Premise

The series follows three agents who survive a crash in the Himalayas and are transformed by a secret Tibetan society. Their new abilities include enhanced senses and physical and mental powers.

Production and broadcast

Champions was produced by ITC Entertainment and originally broadcast on ITV in the United Kingdom. It also aired in Canada on CTV and in the United States on NBC beginning in 1968.

Genre and style

The series blends espionage, science fiction and occult adventure elements. Its premise reflects the distinctive fantasy-espionage style associated with some British television of the late 1960s.

Several unrelated television productions have used the same or a similar title, including an American sitcom from 2018 and a South African sports drama telenovela that premiered in 2024.

Key facts

  • The British series was produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment and aired on ITV from 1968 to 1969.
  • It centres on three international agents working for the organisation Nemesis.
  • After their plane crashes in the Himalayas, they are rescued by a hidden Tibetan civilisation.
  • The civilisation grants the characters enhanced senses and abilities.
  • The title has also been used by later, unrelated TV series in the United States and South Africa.
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Canadian context

The British series was broadcast in Canada on CTV, making it part of Canadian television history for viewers who watched imported UK adventure programming.

Frequently asked questions

What is Champions?
Champions is a British television adventure series from 1968–1969 about three agents who gain special abilities after a crash in the Himalayas.
How many episodes does it have?
The British series consists of 30 episodes.
What channel aired it originally?
It originally aired on ITV in the United Kingdom.
What powers do the characters receive?
They are given enhanced senses and other physical and mental abilities by a hidden Tibetan civilisation.
Is this the only TV series called Champions?
No. Other unrelated television series have used the title, including an American sitcom in 2018 and a South African telenovela in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Champions
    Supports: British series genre, production company, episode count, original UK broadcast dates, and Canadian broadcast on CTV
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062551/
    Supports: Series premise, country of origin, language, and original release information
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_champions
    Supports: Series synopsis, creator names, network, genre, and release date
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champions_(American_TV_series)
    Supports: 2018 American sitcom using the same title
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champions_(South_African_TV_series)
    Supports: 2024 South African television series using the same title