Industry

• The programme was produced by Talkback Themes using the Film Production Unit Easton Films with a focus on high production values. Each episode cost in excess of £250,000 to make and was filmed on a strict 10 day shooting schedule.
• The Sweeney was the most popular product made by Euston Films
• Thames Television was one of the most regional franchise holders of the ITV network broadcasting in the London area from 1968-1992.
• The Sweeney produced by ITV, a commercial broadcaster, presents a different production and distribution model to Luther, a BBC production
• The Sweeney was broadcast on ITV, which in 1974 was the UK's only Independent Television Channel that relied on adverts to fund the production of television programmes. The viewing figures for each episode would have guaranteed ITV valuable income from advertisers who wanted to play commercials in the breaks.The success of the Sweeney was therefore important to Thames Television and ITV in terms of raising revenue.
• The Sweeney was broadcast by ITV in the post-watershed 9pm slot. The characters were part of the Met Police 'Flying Squad' suggesting that the narrative would contain mature themes regarding violence and theft. There's mild swearing and some references to sexual activity but this was restrained even given the later scheduling time, reflecting the social cultural context of the 1970s. The DVDs were rated a 15.