1. Television history
Television in Britain

2. Television after the war in Britain
First broadcast
Adherence to pre-war technical standards with 405 lines; 625 line Pal system adopted in 1960
As far as early 1950s one hour of programme in the morning, one in the afternoon, few in the evening
“Something for everyone and everything for someone”
Televising of the London Olympic Games, 1948
Televising of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, June 1953 – estimated 20 million viewers and captured on film for immediate broadcasts in the USA, Canada and elsewhere

3. Reviewing the broadcasting environment – the crucial reports
Beverage report 1951
Pilkington report 1962
Annan report 1977

4. Beveridge report
Criticized BBC monopoly and paternalism but nevertheless recommended its continuation with certain reservations
Argued against television advertising
Criticized BBC London centeredness
In his minority report Selwyn Lloyd advocated competition funded either by advertising or public subsidy
The new conservative administration rejected the report but nevertheless renewed BBC’s charter
No sponsored programmes

5. Independent television (ITV, 1955)
The Popular Television Association: people have the right to make their own choices
Television Act of 1954 made it possible to start a commercial channel
ITV begins broadcasting in 1955
Independent Television Authority (ITA) is set to allocate franchises and monitor operations particularly as regards public service
Advertising and programmes must be clearly distinguished
Independent Television News (ITN) is created to produce nationwide news broadcasts
By 1957 more demand for advertising time than can be incorporated into programming
Regions / programme time divided between contractors which effectively form a network

6. The first major contractors
Anglia Television: East of England franchise
Associated-Rediffusion (A-R or ARTV, London weekdays)
Associated TeleVision (ATV, London weekends and Midlands weekdays)
ABC Weekend TV (Midlands and North weekends)
Granada TV Network (North weekdays)
Scottish Television: Central Scotland franchise
Southern Television: South and South East England franchise
TWW: Wales and West of England franchise (1958–1968)
Tyne Tees Television: North-east England franchise (1958–)
Ulster Television (UTV): Northern Ireland franchise (1959–)

7. ITV begins
First broadcast: Elgar’s Cocaigne overture followed by a variety show, boxing and a gala.
First British TV-advert: Gibbs toothpaste
At first advertisers lacked interest because of low coverage (sets had to be adapted)
Programming: mainly light entertainment
In 1957 demand for advertising time exceeds supply
BBC holds on to tradition, ITV becomes innovative
Soon ¾ of adult viewers prefer ITV
ITN gradually creates a televisual news format in contrast to BBC’s very literary style.

8. Early ITV favourites Cool for Cats (1956-59).
Emergency - Ward Ten (ATV, )
Coronation Street (Granada )

9. BBC renewal
Current affairs programme Tonight (1960-) gains up to 9 million regular viewers
More critical approach to politicians and experts
Public service ethos survives but more emphasis is put on the need to offer a great variety of programming and to serve minorities
Well scripted comedy
Fierce struggle for a second channel

10. Pilkington report
“Television is and will be a main factor in influencing the values and moral standards of our society.”
“The Authority’s working assumption is that television has little effect. This is, in our view, a mistake…. In discounting the influence of the medium they scale down their responsibilities.”
ITV had not held to the goals set in 1954
Concern for the survival of working class culture
Individualist vs. mutualist ideals
Competition weakens BBC’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities
BBC2 begins broadcasting in1964 (624 lines)

11. BBC programmes in the new broadcasting environment
Juke Box Jury ( )
Cathy Come Home (1963)
The Great War (1964)
Till Death Us Do Part ( )
The Forsyte Saga (1967)
Civilization (1969)
Monty Python’s Flying Circus ( )
The Ascent of Man ( )

12. Major contractors after 1968 franchise round
Associated TeleVision: Midlands (1968–1981)
Granada NW England franchise (1968–)
Harlech Television (HTV ): Wales and West of England franchise (1968–)
London Weekend Television (LWT): London Weekend franchise (1968–)
Thames Television: London weekday franchise (1968–1992)
Yorkshire Television: Yorkshire/Lincolnshire franchise (1968–)

13. Changes in the 1970s
19 January 1972 day restrictions on broadcasting hours finally lifted
Independent Local Radio System (ILR, 1972) strips BBC of its radio monopoly
Rapid spreading of colour television in the early 1970s
Broadcasting about national and international turmoil creates new audiences but strains relationships both with the government and the opposition
Convergence and collaboration between BBC and ITV

14. Celebrated programmes in the 1970s
ITV
A Family at War (Granada, )
Upstairs Downstais (LWT, )
The World at War (Thames, 1974)
The Muppet Show ( )
BBC
The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970)
I, Claudius (1976)
Pennies from Heaven (1978)
Not the Nine O’Clock News ( )

15. The Annan Report (1977) principles
British broadcasting should be characterized by
accountability through Parliament to a public which is given more chance to make its voice heard
diversity of services
flexibility of structure
editorial independence

16. The Annan Report recommendations
A new channel should be awarded to ITV
The channel should cater for interests of minorities presently ill served by television
It should be supervised by an Open Broadcasting Authority
It should function as a commissioner of programmes funded by the Open University, the Arts Council, charities, advertising etc.
Further regulatory bodies: Public Enquiry Board, Broadcasting Complaints commission, Telecommunications Advisory Committee

17. Jeremy Isaacs: Channel Four aims
Increase the variety of programmes offered
Offer programmes also for minorities
Bring out the entire spectrum of political opinions
Satisfy educational needs
Encourage valuable independent production

18. Controversial Channel 4 programmes
The Friday Afternoon ( )
Vietnam: A Television History (1984)
Union World ( )
One in Five (1983)
Out on Tuesday (1988)
Sex Talk (1990)