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On This Day...2nd November
Channels
1936
The world's first regular television service is officially launched by the BBC.
Based at Alexandra Palace in London, the service initially alternated (on a weekly basis) between two systems: Baird's 240-line mechanical system; the Marconi-EMI 405-line all-electronic system.
Studio A was the home of the Marconi-EMI equipment; Studio B was used for Baird transmissions.
As well as the obvious shortcomings of the Baird system in terms of picture resolution, it also involved an intermediate film process whereby images had to be processed on to celluloid before being played-out. This rather cumbersome element was a source of much frustration for producers and directors.
The BBC soon introduced 'London television standards' - 405-lines and 50 pictures per second - for all future broadcasts. This meant that Baird’s 240-line, 25 pictures per second system failed to pass the new threshold.
On 6th February 1937, the Baird system was abandoned.
Based at Alexandra Palace in London, the service initially alternated (on a weekly basis) between two systems: Baird's 240-line mechanical system; the Marconi-EMI 405-line all-electronic system.
Studio A was the home of the Marconi-EMI equipment; Studio B was used for Baird transmissions.
As well as the obvious shortcomings of the Baird system in terms of picture resolution, it also involved an intermediate film process whereby images had to be processed on to celluloid before being played-out. This rather cumbersome element was a source of much frustration for producers and directors.
The BBC soon introduced 'London television standards' - 405-lines and 50 pictures per second - for all future broadcasts. This meant that Baird’s 240-line, 25 pictures per second system failed to pass the new threshold.
On 6th February 1937, the Baird system was abandoned.
1982
Channel 4 - the UK's fourth terrestrial TV channel - begins broadcasting at 4.45pm.
The first programme on the channel is Countdown.
RELATED ARTICLE: Countdown opening titles/closing credits: first edition.
The first programme on the channel is Countdown.
RELATED ARTICLE: Countdown opening titles/closing credits: first edition.
1984
The technicians strike at Thames Television continues. A management-run service is in operation. LWT comes on air this evening and broadcasts a full schedule on Saturday and Sunday.
People
1985
Michael Balkwill, former assistant editor and pioneer of the early days of TV news, died.
Programmes
1946
The first edition of Kaleidoscope airs on BBC TV.
1964
The first episode of Crossroads airs on ITV.
1974
The final episode of The Pallisers airs on BBC Two.
1978
The first edition of Newsweek airs on BBC Two.
1981
The first episode of Marmalade Atkins airs on ITV.
1982
The first edition of Countdown airs on Channel 4.
1982
The first episode of Brookside airs on Channel 4.
1982
The first edition of Channel 4 News airs on Channel 4.
1982
The first offering from The Comic Strip Presents... airs on Channel 4.
1984
The 50th edition of The Tube airs on Channel 4.
1988
The first episode of Rockcliffe's Folly airs on BBC One.
1988
The first edition of Reportage airs on BBC Two. Part of the DEF II strand.
1989
The final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth airs on BBC One.
1992
The final episode of On the Up airs on BBC One.
1993
The final edition of First Tuesday airs on ITV.
1994
The first edition of This Is Your Life (revived BBC series) airs on BBC One. Presented by Michael Aspel. It had been 30 years since the programme last aired on the BBC.
1997
The first episode of Get Well Soon airs on BBC One.
2001
The first edition of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross airs on BBC One.
2008
The first episode of Sharpe's Peril airs on ITV.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1961
BBC TV tape Guinguette airs for the final time.
1961
BBC TV tape Charleston Street airs for the first time.
1965
BBC TV/BBC One tape On the South Side airs for the final time.
1965
BBC One tape Rosetti Symphony in C airs for the first time.
1965
BBC Two tape Going Up airs for the first time.
1965
BBC Two tape Pizzi-Pizzi airs for the first time.
2003
BBC Two tape Feel the Love airs for the first time.
On This Day...2nd November
Births
1936
Former TV announcer and TV/radio presenter, Bill Smyth.
1947
Former TV news presenter, Philip Hayton.
1977
Actor and TV presenter, John Pickard.
Deaths
2015
Former actor, writer and TV presenter, Colin Welland.
Events
1961
HM The Queen visits BBC Television Centre. She watched the filming of Crackerjack (relocated from its usual home at the Television Theatre) and met its presenters, crew and guest star Harry Secombe.
1982
Announcer Paul Coia is the first voice heard on the new UK terrestrial TV network, Channel 4.
Research for On This Day in TV History is by Paul R. Jackson.
Details about test card/teletext in-vision music and BBC trade test films are available as a result of decades of research and logging by members of the Test Card Circle.
Details about test card/teletext in-vision music and BBC trade test films are available as a result of decades of research and logging by members of the Test Card Circle.
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