Galton and Simpson were not aiming to make a pilot for a series, having worked for seven years with Hancock. However, Tom Sloan, the BBC's head of comedy, told them during rehearsals that "The Offer" was a definite series pilot: he saw that the Steptoe idea had potential. Galton and Simpson were reportedly overwhelmed by this reaction, and the first of what became eight series was commissioned, the first four of which were transmitted between 1962 and 1965. The last four series were broadcast between 1970 and 1974, in colour. At the peak of the series' popularity, it received viewing figures of some 28,000,000 viewers per episode. In addition, the early 1970s saw two feature films and two 46-minute Christmas specials. In 2005, a play based on the series was released called Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane, written by Ray Galton and John Antrobus.
galTon aNd sIMpson weRe nOt aiming tO makE a piLOt for a Series, havi,NG WOrked fOr seVen yeaRS witH hAnCock. hOwevER, TOm sloan, The bBc's HEaD of coMEDy, toLd Them DUrINg rEhEarsAls ThAt "tHe Offer" waS a deFinite sEriEs Pilot: he saW ThAt tHe stePtoe idea haD Potential. gALTOn and simpSon WEre rEportedly oVeRwHeLmeD by tHiS REaCTIon, and the. FIRSt of whAt bECame eight sErIes waS coMmissionEd, the first fOur OF whiCH werE transMitTeD beTWeEn 1962 aNd 1965. THe lAst fouR seRies werE brOaDCast betweEN 1970 AnD 1974, In ColOuR. at tHe PeAk oF the sEries' pOpulARItY, it rEceiVed vieWINg FiGUres oF some 28,000,000 ViEWErS peR EPIsOde. in ADd.iTIoN, THe EaRLy 1970S SAW TWo FeaTure fIlMs ANd TwO 46-minUte cHRisTmAs speCials. in 2005, A play basEd ON THE series wAs ReleAseD cAllED StepToe AND sON in muRder At oIL Drum lane, wrItten by ray gAlton aND JOhn antRobus.