40s and 50's British Radio Milestones

1940 :

23 Jun. Music While you Work first transmitted

1941 :

1 Jan. The Brains' Trust began.
31 May. Worker's Playtime began

1942 :

29 Jan. Desert Island Discs first broadcast
6 May. The Radio Doctor first transmitted

1945 :

1 Aug. Family Favourites started
9 Oct. Today in Parliament first transmitted

1946 :

4 Mar. Housewives' Choice began
24 Mar. Alistair Cooke's Letter From America first broadcast
4 Oct. From Our Own Correspondent first transmitted
7 Oct.
Woman's Hour first transmitted
7 Oct.
Dick Barton Special Agent first transmitted
29 Dec.
Down Your Way first transmitted

1947 :

2 Jan. Much Binding in the Marsh began
9 April How Does Your Garden Grow? becoming
Gardeners' Question Time, first transmitted
2 Nov. Round Britain Quiz first transmitted

1948 :

5 Jan. Mrs.Dale's Diary first broadcast.
23 Mar.
Take It From Here first broadcast
3 July
Top of the Form first broadcast
12 Oct First edition of Any Questions?

1949 :

31 Jan. Book At Bedtime first broadcast
6 Mar.
Billy Cotton Band Show first transmitted

1950:

16 Jan. Listen with Mother first broadcast
28 May Crazy People, becoming
The Goon Show, first transmitted
26 Oct. First radio and television broadcast from the House of Commons (opening of the rebuilt chamber).
5 Nov.
Life with the Lyons first broadcast.
8 Nov. International Commentary first Broadcast

1951:

1 Jan. The Archers first network broadcast

1952:

15 Feb. Funeral of King George VI on television and radio
12 Mar. Science Review first broadcast

1953:

2 June. The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II broadcast on radio
29 July A life of Bliss first broadcast

1954:

13 Jan.Talking about Music with Anthony Hopkins first broadcast
25 Jan. Under Milk Wood broadcast
19 Mar. Thank You Ally Pally televised
31 May. Hello Playmates with Arthur Askey first broadcast
2 Nov.
Hancock's Half Hour first broadcast

1955:

22 Sept. Start of Independent Television. Grace Archer 'dies' in a fire in The Archers

1956:

1957:

1 Jan. My Word! first broadcast
29 Sept.
Gardener's Question Time on National Network
29 Sept.
Does the Team Think? first broadcast
30 Sept. Reorganisation of Radio Services
Oct-Nov Transfer of Overseas Service to Bush House
5 Oct. Record Review first transmitted
26 Oct. Saturday Night on the Light first broadcast
28 Oct.
Today first Broadcast

1958:

1 July Beyond Our Ken with Kenneth Horne first broadcast
14 Apr. BBC Radiophonic Workshop formed.
13 Oct. Roundabout first broadcast

1959:

3 Apr. Pick of the Week first broadcast

[ Top of Page ]

Return to Radio Days Home Page

If you have any comments or further information of interest, please e-mail radiohistory@whirligig-tv.co.uk