 When the possibility of a fourth TV channel was raised, in addition to the two BBC channels and the one ITV channel, he was involved in the successful attempt to prevent ITV from taking control of it.This campaign led to the formation of Channel 4.He considers himself a member of the “progressive left.”

Darlow was nominated for BAFTA Awards for Best Single Play ("Suez 1956", 1979), for Best Factual Programme ("The Final Solution", 1979; "The World at War", 1973), and for Best Single Drama ("Bomber Harris", 1989).