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| How the BBC took the news outside | How the BBC took the news outside |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Since the launch of television at Alexandra Palace in London by the BBC in 1936, reporters and producers have wanted to escape the four walls of a studio to report on the world first-hand. | Since the launch of television at Alexandra Palace in London by the BBC in 1936, reporters and producers have wanted to escape the four walls of a studio to report on the world first-hand. |
| Before the BBC even commissioned the first outside broadcast, the teams had attempted this at Alexandra Palace, taking the studio cameras, still attached by the studio cable, into the grounds. | Before the BBC even commissioned the first outside broadcast, the teams had attempted this at Alexandra Palace, taking the studio cameras, still attached by the studio cable, into the grounds. |
| One of the first programmes to use this technique was a gardening programme with CH Middleton, a broadcaster with the BBC. | One of the first programmes to use this technique was a gardening programme with CH Middleton, a broadcaster with the BBC. |
| By 1928 the BBC had established the technology to design its first outside broadcast van, designated to cover events away from Alexandra Palace. | By 1928 the BBC had established the technology to design its first outside broadcast van, designated to cover events away from Alexandra Palace. |
| While television broadcasts were only just starting out, colleagues on the radio side of the BBC were becoming au fait with reporting on location and were coming live from an eclectic mixture of spots. | While television broadcasts were only just starting out, colleagues on the radio side of the BBC were becoming au fait with reporting on location and were coming live from an eclectic mixture of spots. |
| By May of 1937, the BBC was committed to getting out to film more live events around the country and the sights for the first large outside broadcast were set on the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Although most households didn't have a television, this was a huge moment for broadcasting. | By May of 1937, the BBC was committed to getting out to film more live events around the country and the sights for the first large outside broadcast were set on the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Although most households didn't have a television, this was a huge moment for broadcasting. |
| Decisions had to be made. Filming at Westminster Abbey was denied so the cameras were to be set up at Hyde Park Corner. The big question though was how the television signals could get all the way from there back to the TV transmitter at Alexandra Palace. In the end a special cable, encased in a protective lead case, had to be made. | Decisions had to be made. Filming at Westminster Abbey was denied so the cameras were to be set up at Hyde Park Corner. The big question though was how the television signals could get all the way from there back to the TV transmitter at Alexandra Palace. In the end a special cable, encased in a protective lead case, had to be made. |
| But two years later, after an exciting start of television broadcasting, it suddenly stopped as war was declared on Germany. | But two years later, after an exciting start of television broadcasting, it suddenly stopped as war was declared on Germany. |
| The outside broadcast trucks would not be used for the BBC again until 1946. In the meantime they served as vehicles for the war efforts, stripped of their electrical equipment. | |
| By the 1950s the BBC was experimenting more with outside broadcast locations, and in August 1950 plans were made for the first outside broadcast abroad, in France for the Centenary of the first message sent by submarine telegraph from England to France. | By the 1950s the BBC was experimenting more with outside broadcast locations, and in August 1950 plans were made for the first outside broadcast abroad, in France for the Centenary of the first message sent by submarine telegraph from England to France. |
| It was the first time in history that a programme was transmitted across the Channel when viewers saw the town of Calais "en fete", with a torchlit procession, dancing in the square and a firework display. | It was the first time in history that a programme was transmitted across the Channel when viewers saw the town of Calais "en fete", with a torchlit procession, dancing in the square and a firework display. |
| It took almost two months to plan and five portable radio-link stations, designed to receive and send microwave signals, were set up temporarily along the 95-mile (153 km) route from Calais to London. | It took almost two months to plan and five portable radio-link stations, designed to receive and send microwave signals, were set up temporarily along the 95-mile (153 km) route from Calais to London. |
| Previously the working range for outside broadcast units was just 25 miles (40km). | Previously the working range for outside broadcast units was just 25 miles (40km). |
| After the success of the France broadcast, the sights were firmly set on bringing the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II to as many people via TV as possible. For much of the country this would be the first time they had watched television. | After the success of the France broadcast, the sights were firmly set on bringing the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II to as many people via TV as possible. For much of the country this would be the first time they had watched television. |
| Before this ownership of a TV had been limited, but plans for the TV coverage of the Coronation alerted the British television manufacturing industry to a potentially enormous sales opportunity. | Before this ownership of a TV had been limited, but plans for the TV coverage of the Coronation alerted the British television manufacturing industry to a potentially enormous sales opportunity. |
| The Coronation was a success and viewers were able to see seven hours of footage including almost all of the service itself. It was estimated that 20 million people in the UK alone tuned in to watch. | The Coronation was a success and viewers were able to see seven hours of footage including almost all of the service itself. It was estimated that 20 million people in the UK alone tuned in to watch. |
| The place of television outside broadcasting was secured, and the BBC's coverage of world news events continued with a move from Alexandra Palace to a bigger transmitter station in the grounds of Crystal Palace. | The place of television outside broadcasting was secured, and the BBC's coverage of world news events continued with a move from Alexandra Palace to a bigger transmitter station in the grounds of Crystal Palace. |
| Colour television was just around the corner. | Colour television was just around the corner. |
| All photos from the BBC's archives. For more archive content visit BBC Rewind. | All photos from the BBC's archives. For more archive content visit BBC Rewind. |