Most courses these days have DVDs included in the course materials, so students can watch whenever they like. There's also a lot of stuff online.
The OU still broadcast lots of programmes on TV, but they're often broadcast as mainstream programmes, for everyone to watch. Chances are you've watched quite a few without even realising. One or two David Attenborough programmes have formed the backbone of OU science courses.
DVDs, I should have guessed. Pity as I enjoyed the programmes and missed a lot when I got a job on saturdays in 1992-7 when they were all shown in one bunch. I suppose nothing lasts for ever.
It's worth looking on the OU website, because you can now buy a lot of their course materials and visual stuff without having to be a student. They also publish a regular magazine with details of forthcoming broadcasts.
Thanks jag, I did that and they have archives back to day 1, all I now need to do is see how to get them. The lists are endless but not a clue how to buy them but I'll send them an enquiry, the black and white ones were always the best.