Gives a unique insight into British television between 1929-53

This is an accessible and concise history of British radio and television. The book considers the nature and evolution of broadcasting, the growth of broadcasting institutions and the relation of broadcasting to a wider political and social context. Beginning with the genesis of radio at the turn of the century, Crisell discusses key moments in media history from the first wireless broadcast in 1920 to the present. Key topics covered include: * The establishment of the BBC in 1927 * The general strike, notions of public service broadcasting and the cultural values of the BBC * Broadcasting in wartime * The heyday of radio in the 1940s and 1950s and the rise of television * BBC2, Channel 4 and minority television * The changing role of radio in a television age * The convergence of broadcasting and other media * Future issues for broadcasting

'Thorough and engaging ... you can't understand England without understanding the BBC' New York Times 'Fascinating and informative' Daily Telegraph 'A dramatic tale of innovation and determination' Guardian In 1922, a tiny group of men and women came together to found the BBC, using what had been a weapon of war - Marconi's wireless - to remake culture for the good of humanity. Twenty years later, when George Orwell famously quit the Corporation, he decided he was done 'doing work that produces no result'. Yet the BBC is now one of Britain's most beloved institutions. Stars once fainted at the microphone; now a select few spend their Saturdays waltzing for the nation's entertainment in front of studio cameras. From Daleks to Desert Island Discs, the BBC has blazed a trail for British entertainment. Yet it has also always been at the forefront of global change, both breaking and covering the most important stories of the century on Panorama and BBC News. This is a stirring and monumental history of the British cultural stalwart which created modern broadcasting one hundred years ago.

As the BBC celebrates its 70th anniversary, this important book on the history of the world's most prestigious and successful broadcasting organisation is timely and, just like the BBC itself, is entertaining, informative and educational. The general reader and the media student alike will enjoy this book as it covers the rich and sometimes stormy history of the BBC and its remarkable programs and personalities.

Traces the history of broadcasting and the infludence developments in broadcasting have had over our social, cultural and economic practices. Examining the broadcasting traditions of the UK and USA, 'The Television History Book' make connections between events and tendencies that both unite and differentiate these national broadcasting traditions.

George Bernard Shaw's frequently stormy but always creative relationship with the British Broadcasting Corporation was in large part responsible for making him a household name on both sides of the Atlantic. From the founding of the BBC in 1922 to his death in 1950, Shaw supported the BBC by participating in debates, giving talks, permitting radio and television broadcasts of many of his plays - even advising on pronunciation questions. Here, for the first time, Leonard Conolly illuminates the often grudging, though usually mutually beneficial, relationship between two of the twentieth century's cultural giants. Drawing on extensive archival materials held in England, the United States, and Canada, Bernard Shaw and the BBC presents a vivid portrait of many contentious issues negotiated between Shaw and the public broadcaster. This is a fascinating study of how controversial works were first performed in both radio and television's infancies. It details debates about freedom of speech, the editing of plays for broadcast, and the protection of authors' rights to control and profit from works performed for radio and television broadcasts. Conolly also scrutinizes Second World War-era censorship, when the British government banned Shaw from making any broadcasts that questioned British policies or strategies. Rich in detail and brimming with Shaw's irrepressible wit, this book also provides links to online appendices of Shaw's broadcasts for the BBC, texts of Shaw's major BBC talks, extracts from German wartime propaganda broadcasts about Shaw, and the BBC's obituaries for Shaw.

This book presents a balanced, thorough history of television to 1940, considering the factors technical, financial and social which influenced and led to the establishment of many of the world's high-definition TV broadcasting services. This is a major book in the study of history of science, technology and media.