Brief History of TV in the UK and abroad?

In the UK broadcasting started with the BBC with the idea of Public Service Broadcasting; this translated to everyone has access, pays the same and they have the right to complain. This meant that they would need to be maintaining standards; whilst responding to the public, giving them what they want and need.

Public service used to be solely the BBC but over time it now consists of the BBC, ITV and C4.Here’s a timeline that shows the development of the BBC and when the other channels came into the picture.

 June 1920

• opera singer Dame Nellie Melba performs at Marconi's factory to demonstrate wireless potential for entertainment

May 1922

• 2LO & 2MT experimental radio stations set up by the Post office. Leads to the formation of the British Broadcasting Company

October 1922

• Daily broadcast began from the London Birmingham & Manchester. Initially the purpose of the BBC was commercial: to sell radio sets.

25^th August 1923

• Sykes Committee recommended BBC to be funded by license, no advertising and to be publicly not privately owned

1925

• BBC could be heard throughout most of the UK.
• John Reith becomes the first director general of the BBC
• Reith's vision for the BBC: Inform, Educate & Entertain the nation, free from politcal interference and commercial pressures.

January 1927

• BBC becomes the British Broadcasting Corporation when it granted its first Royal Charter.
• John Reith is knighted

March 1936

• World's first regular service of high-definition TV.

July 1939

• TV service suspended
• New emphasis on 'lightening the tone' and morale-boosting. With Its that man again attracting 16 million listeners.

 1943

• Sincerly Yours with Vera Lynn - The forces' sweetheart 
• War reporting unit; the new lightweight recording equipment allowed BBC reporters to follow the troops into battle. this enhanced the BBC's reputation for honesty and accuracy.

1940-1942

• BBC realise that their audience is far more multifaceted, more popular programmes are needed such as: Workers' playtime, Music while you work, and Desert island discs.

 2nd June 1953

•  the Queen's Coronation is watched by 22 million TV viewers

September 1955

• ITV is launched, advertising is used to generate revenue. BBC loses it hold on TV broadcasting

April 1964

• BBC2 is launched

1967

• Restructuring of radio stations
• Radio 2: light programme
• Radio 3: third service
• Radio 4: home service
• BBC2 is broadcast in colour

1969

• BBC1 is broadcast in colour

1971

• The Open University is launched. programmes are broadcast at night.

1972

• Ceefax is launched

1973

• Commercial radio.
• LBC is launched in London. The BBC loses its hold over the radio.

1982

• Channel 4 is launched

1985

• Peacock Committee recommends privatisation of Radio 1&2

1989

• Satellite TV begins. BSB and Sky Tv soon merge to become BSkyB

1990

• Radio 5 is launched, creating sports and learning opportunities. Its the first new BBC national radio station in 23 years.

1997

• BBC News 24 is launched, only cable viewers can get it as first.
• Channel 5 is launched.

1998

• ONdigital is launched. Its the world's first digital terrestrial TV Network. Owned by Carlton & Granada.

2001

• ONdigital is rebranded ITV Digital
• Digital expansion. New channels are BBC3 & BBC4, with CBBC & CBeeBies for kids.

2002

• After the colladpe of ITV Digital a consortium of the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castke International is granted DTT license.
• Freeview is launched.
• BBC launches its new radio stations for the digital age.
• Radio 1 extra, BBC Five Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, BBC 7, BBC Asian Network and BBc World Service.

2003

• The Hutton Report. BBC is severely criticised for broadcasting news stories which suggested the government "sexed up" Iraqi WMD claims. The Chairman and The Director General resign.

2006

• Royal Charter is renewed. 'Building a digital Britain' is at the heart of the government's vision for the BBC.