TV History

Alexandra Palace

History of the BBC: Ally Pally's Secret War?

Alexandra Palace

On 1st September 1939 when the BBC ceased television broadcasting it was explained that it was feared that the German air force would use the transmission signals from the aerial of Alexandra Palace as a navigational aid. In fact, the aerial was to be used for transmitting signals of an entirely different kind.

BBC After the WAr

History of the BBC: Back After the War

BBC After the WAr

On an October day in 1945 the Government announced that it wanted the BBC to start television again, on the pre-war technical system. Within a few days those television engineers who had been demobilised were back inside Alexandra Palace

Coronation Day 1953

History of the BBC: The Coronation (1953)

Coronation Day 1953

It was on 2 June 1953 for the Coronation of Elizabeth 11 that television really came into its own. This was the day that Britain began its eternal love affair with 'the box.'

History of ITV

The History of ITV - The Battle for Independent Television

History of ITV

Within a few years of BBC television restarting after the end of the Second World War, there were already suggestions that perhaps the Corporation's monopoly on broadcasting was restricting the type of programmes available to the British public due to the limit that public funding imposed.

History of ITV

The History of ITV - The Independent Applicants

History of ITV

With the Government agreeing to Independent Television in Britain for the first time, on 25 August 1954 an advertisement was placed for applicants for regional franchises. Six companies applied but not all of them were successful, and that included the most likely to succeed.

Corona drink advertisement

The History of ITV - Television Advertising: Boosting The Economy

Corona drink advertisement

When ITV arrived in 1955 it brought something new into the homes of the British viewing public: television advertising. As Briton's finally saw an end to rationing and the Government was keen to encourage public spending to boost the economy, this was seen as an opportune moment for all concerned.

Ad-Mags

The History of ITV - TV Advertising: Ad-Mags

Ad-Mags

Ad-Mags aka Shopper's Guides tried to bend the rules on television advertising. For years they were a hit with the public, but the authorities were less impressed. And they very nearly cost the ITA their franchise licence.

The Pilkington Report

The History of ITV - The Pilkington Report

The Pilkington Report

ITV faced its toughest test yet. A government white paper on the state of television found it wanting, while the BBC escaped any criticism. But did the government have their own agenda when they ordered the infamous Pilkington Report?

Lord Grade and David Frost

The History of ITV: The New Franchises

Lord Grade and David Frost

Had any of the existing companies felt complacent about their future they should have taken heed of Lord Hill's earlier warning that 'all bets were off' on the next franchise round.

The Queen's Funeral

The Queen's Funeral

The Queen's Funeral

In a world in which news, "reality television," and drama are blurred as they all come through the same screens, the "soap opera" that is the House of Windsor, combined with the splendour of the pageantry of an old Imperial Monarchy, continues to fascinate much of the world

Missing, Believed Wiped

Missing, Believed Wiped

Missing, Believed Wiped

British television's "lost treasures" and how they came to be so, and the continued efforts to find them.

John Cura's Tele-Snaps

John Cura's Tele-Snaps

John Cura's Tele-Snaps

Another sorry tale of how pieces of British television history might have been lost forever, had it not been for one man.

US Television's First Golden Age

US Television: The First Golden Age

US Television's First Golden Age

Television development moved faster in Europe than it did in America. Nevertheless, by the 1950s US TV had overtaken the rest of the world and was enjoying its first Golden Age. But as unlikely as it may seem, the first real star of US television was a cat...

The $64,000 Question

The Quiz Show Scandals of the 1950s

The $64,000 Question

A lack of regulations, greed, and contestants willing to take part in the 'fixing' of big money quiz shows led to US television's biggest scandal. Careers and reputations were ruined and the influence of sponsors undermined the public’s trust in the integrity of commercial broadcasting

The Golden Age of Television

Is This the Golden Age of Television?

The Golden Age of Television

If this is not the "Golden Age of Television Production," it could at least be argued that the multiplicity of platforms makes this the "Golden Age of Television Viewing"

streaming television

Is The Revolution Over Already?

streaming television

With online streaming services declaring a decline in viewing figures post lockdown and the cost of living crisis taking centre stage, the UK streaming boom appears to be over, forcing hundreds of thousands to cancel subscriptions