Key Moments in 1950s Television

The invention of the television was the work of many individuals in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Individuals and corporations competed in various parts of the world to deliver a device that superseded previous technology. Many were compelled to capitalise on the invention and make profit, while some wanted to change the world through visual and audio communication technology.

**...*Key Moments in 1940s Television***

### 1950

#### February 23

First televised report of general election results in the UK.

#### April 3

The BBC aspect ratio changes from 5:4 to 4:3.

#### May 21

The BBC's Lime Grove television studios open.

#### August 27

The first ever live television pictures from across the English Channel are transmitted by the BBC Television Service. The two-hour programme is broadcast live from Calais in northern France to mark the centenary of the first message sent by submarine telegraph cable from England to France.

#### September 30

First BBC Television Service broadcast from an aircraft.

### 1951

#### October 12: Television arrives in the North of England

The Holme Moss transmitter is opened in Northern England, making the BBC Television Service available to the region for the first time.

#### November 20

T. S. Eliot speaks against television in the UK.

### 1952

#### February 1

The first TV detector van is demonstrated. It is designed to track down users of unlicensed television sets.

#### February 15

The funeral of King George VI is televised in the UK.

#### March 14: Television comes to Scotland

The BBC Television Service is launched in Scotland.

### 1953

#### March 17

Patrick Troughton becomes television's first Robin Hood, playing the eponymous folk hero in the first of six half-hour episodes of Robin Hood, shown weekly until April 21, 1953 on the BBC Television Service.

#### May 1

Peter Scott presents the first BBC television natural history broadcast, from his home at Slimbridge.

The BBC brings into service television transmitters at Pontop Pike (County Durham) and Glencairn (Belfast) to improve coverage prior to the Coronation broadcast.

#### June 2

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is televised in the UK on the BBC Television Service. Sales of TV sets rise sharply in the weeks leading up to the event. It is also one of the earliest broadcasts to be deliberately recorded for posterity and still exists in its entirety today.

#### November 11

The current affairs series Panorama launches on the BBC Television Service. It is now the longest-running program on British television.

#### November 26

Peers in the House of Lords back Government plans for the introduction of commercial television in the UK.

#### December 2

The BBC broadcasts its 'Television Symbol' for the first time, the first animated television presentation symbol in the world. Known as the 'bat's wings' by logo enthusiasts, it would remain until 1960.

### 1954

#### January 11

The first weather forecast with an in-vision presenter is televised in the UK. The first weather presenter was George Cowling.

#### April 9

The Grove Family, generally considered the first British TV soap opera, debuts on the BBC Television Service.

#### July 5

First actual news bulletin, News and Newsreel, aired on the BBC Television Service, replacing Television Newsreel.

#### July 30

The Television Act 1954 is given Royal Assent. It authorises the setting up of the infrastructure for British commercial television.

#### October 24

The British Academy Television Awards, the most prestigious awards in the British television industry, are first awarded.

#### December 12

The BBC Television Service screens its famous, and controversial, adaptation of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four.

#### December 30

The first BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony is presented from London's Savoy Hotel. It has aired annually ever since.

### 1955

#### January 27

First televised Welsh language play, Cap Wil Tomos.

#### May 17

Sir Anthony Eden hosts a ground-breaking television election programme for the Conservative Party, the first broadcast of its type. The 30 minute programme features government ministers pitted against newspaper editors.

#### July 21

The BBC brings into service its Divis transmitting station, its first permanent 405-line VHF Band I facility serving Northern Ireland, marking the launch of a television service for Northern Ireland; the 35 kW transmissions can also be readily received in much of the Republic of Ireland.

#### September 4

Newsreaders appear "in vision" for the first time.

#### September 22

Commercial television starts in the UK, with the launch of ITV in London – Associated-Rediffusion on weekdays, Associated Television Network (ATV) at weekends. The rest of the UK receive their ITV regions over the next seven years. The first advertisement shown is for Gibbs SR toothpaste.

#### September 23

Barbara Mandell becomes Britain's first female newsreader, presenting the Midday News bulletin on ITV.

#### October 10

Alexandra Palace begins test transmissions of a 405-line colour television service.

#### December 25

After being on radio since 1932, the Royal Christmas Message is broadcast on British television for the first time, in sound only at 3.00pm. The first visual Christmas message is shown in 1957.

### 1956

#### February 17

The Midlands becomes the first part of the UK outside London to receive ITV, when ATV Midlands begins broadcasting their weekday franchise. The weekend franchise, ABC, appears a day later.

#### March 28

Television transmissions begin from the new Crystal Palace site in south London.

#### May 3

Granada Television begins broadcasting, extending ITV's coverage to Northern England. ABC's weekend franchise appears two days later.

#### June 20

Opportunity Knocks (1956–1978, 1987–1990) debuts.

#### July 6

Hancock's Half Hour debuts on the BBC Television Service.

#### July 8

The anthology drama series Armchair Theatre, produced by ABC Television for the ITV network, begins its long run (until 1974).

### 1957

#### February 16

The "Toddlers' Truce" (an arrangement whereby there were no television broadcasts between 6pm and 7pm, to allow parents to put their children to bed!) is abolished. It has been a major stumbling block to the success of ITV.

#### April 1

British current affairs programme Panorama broadcasts the famous Spaghetti trees hoax report.

#### April 21

Historical documentary series Men, Women and Clothes begins airing. It is the first BBC programme filmed in colour, although it can only be transmitted in black and white.

#### April 24

The Sky at Night appears for the first time, presented by Patrick Moore. It continues to air with Moore as presenter until his death in December 2012.

#### August 31

Central Scotland's ITV franchise Scottish Television goes on air, the first 7-day-a-week ITV franchise to do so.

#### September 18

The sports programme Scotsport begins airing on Scottish Television. By the time it ended in 2008 it was recognised as the world's longest running sports television magazine.

#### September 24

The ITV Schools service, broadcasting programmes for schools and colleges, goes on air.

#### December 25

The Royal Christmas Message is first televised with a message from Elizabeth II.

### 1958

#### January 14

TWW, the first ITV franchise for South Wales and West of England, goes on the air.

#### February 17: Pope Pius XII designates St. Clare of Assisi the patron saint of television

Pope Pius XII designates St. Clare of Assisi the patron saint of television on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room.. Thereafter, placing her icon on a television set was said to improve reception.

***Pope Pius XII*** (March 2, 1876 – October 9, 1958), was the Pope of the Catholic Church (1939 to his death in 1958). His 1955 discourse The Ideal Movie, given to members of the Italian cinema industry, offered a "sophisticated analysis of the film industry and the role of cinema in modern society."

#### May 5

First experimental transmissions of a 625-line television service.

#### August 30

Southern Television, the ITV franchise for South Central and South East England, goes on the air.

#### October 11

The long running Saturday afternoon sports programme Grandstand debuts on the BBC Television Service. It aired until 2007.

#### October 16

Blue Peter, the world's longest-running children's TV programme, debuts on the BBC Television Service. It continues to air to the present day.

#### October 28

The State Opening of Parliament is broadcast on television for the first time.

#### November 30

During the live broadcast of the Armchair Theatre play Underground on the ITV network, actor Gareth Jones has a fatal heart attack between two of his scenes while in make-up.

### 1959

#### January 15

Tyne Tees Television, the ITV franchise for North East England, goes on air.

#### October 27

Anglia Television, the ITV franchise for Eastern England, goes on air.

#### October 31

Ulster Television, the ITV franchise for Northern Ireland, goes on air.

***Key Moments in 1960s Television*...**