<P> The launch was delayed until February 1985 due to a delay in the chat show Wogan , that was to be a part of the major revamp in BBC1 's schedules . Smith was uneasy about the late start as EastEnders no longer had the winter months to build up a loyal following before the summer ratings lull . The press were invited to Elstree to meet the cast and see the lot , and stories immediately started circulating about the show , about a rivalry with ITV ( who were launching their own market - based soap , Albion Market ) and about the private lives of the cast . Anticipation and rumour grew in equal measure until the first transmission at 7 p.m. on 19 February 1985 . Both Holland and Smith could not watch ; they both instead returned to the place where it all began , Albertine 's Wine Bar on Wood Lane . The next day , viewing figures were confirmed at 17 million . The reviews were largely favourable , although , after three weeks on air , BBC1 's early evening share had returned to the pre-EastEnders figure of seven million , though EastEnders then climbed to highs of up to 23 million later on in the year . Following the launch , both group discussions and telephone surveys were conducted to test audience reaction to early episodes . Detailed reactions were taken after six months and since then regular monitoring was conducted . </P>
<P> The launch was delayed until February 1985 due to a delay in the chat show Wogan , that was to be a part of the major revamp in BBC1 's schedules . Smith was uneasy about the late start as EastEnders no longer had the winter months to build up a loyal following before the summer ratings lull . The press were invited to Elstree to meet the cast and see the lot , and stories immediately started circulating about the show , about a rivalry with ITV ( who were launching their own market - based soap , Albion Market ) and about the private lives of the cast . Anticipation and rumour grew in equal measure until the first transmission at 7 p.m. on 19 February 1985 . Both Holland and Smith could not watch ; they both instead returned to the place where it all began , Albertine 's Wine Bar on Wood Lane . The next day , viewing figures were confirmed at 17 million . The reviews were largely favourable , although , after three weeks on air , BBC1 's early evening share had returned to the pre-EastEnders figure of seven million , though EastEnders then climbed to highs of up to 23 million later on in the year . Following the launch , both group discussions and telephone surveys were conducted to test audience reaction to early episodes . Detailed reactions were taken after six months and since then regular monitoring was conducted . </P>
when did the first episode of eastenders air
when did the first episode of eastenders air
7 p.m. on 19 February 1985
7 p.m. on 19 February 1985