In July 2004 EDGE OF DARKNESS was named as one the 50 most influential television programmes in British broadcasting history. Broadcast magazine, which compiled the list, said the 50 programmes were chosen because they "pushed television boundaries". The judging panel, which included Endemol UK chairman Peter Bazalgette, BBC controller of drama series Mal Young and Five's head of news and current affairs Chris Shaw, was asked to look for shows that had invented, or reinvented, genres. The list, which was not ranked in any order, was compiled by 16 judges, 13 of whom were media executives. EDGE OF DARKNESS was listed in the drama category alongside seven other series: Boys from the Blackstuff, Brideshead Revisited, Brookside, Cathy Come Home, Doctor Who, The Forsyte Saga and The Singing Detective.