First broadcast as part of a "Science Report" documentary series, Alternative 3 uncovered an astonishing link between britain's "brain drain" of disappearing experts, climate change and the start of an extra-terrestial colony. The programme ended with the credit "Anglia Television, April 1st 1977", and was in fact a Sci-fi drama, and a deadpan heir to "The War Of The Worlds". But after its broadcasts world wide that same week, Alternative 3 clearly showed how the medium can manipulate the message, as millions were fooled by the programme which provoked front page headlines and has inspired conspiracy theories ever since.