On 14th November 1922 at 6pm BBC’s first-ever on-air news bulletin was broadcast.
Arthur Burrows (15 February 1882 – 26 November 1947) – known to listeners as Uncle Arthur – voice crackled out
“This is 2LO Marconi House London Calling”
Arthur Burrows was the first to hold the position of Director of Programmes
The first news bulletin included details of London fog disruption, a court report and billiard scores.
The first bulletin on 2LO was repeated. Once at normal speed and then again at half-speed. Listeners were asked to say which speed they preferred.
British Broadcasting Company and was made up of separate stations around the country operated by different companies.
London 2LO was run by the Marconi company. Manchester’s station was operated by Metropolitan-Vickers out of Trafford Park.
According to the Liverpool Echo Manchester was the first to broadcast variety acts on 24 November 1922, two months before 2LO’s first official variety programme, Veterans of Variety.
Glasgow, 5SC opened on 6 March 1923
Cardiff’s 5WA broadcast the first full performance of a new orchestral opera on 30 May 1923.
100 years on the BBC now has 10 UK-wide radio networks, two national radio services each in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and 39 local radio stations across England and the Channel Islands.
That is in addition to TV services broadcasting in the UK and around the world and a wide range of digital services.
Andrew Eborn to Chair THE BBC: BEYOND THE CENTENARY
In this BBC Debate, we ask our expert panel to consider the challenges confronting the BBC as it enters its second centenary.
The cost and mechanism of funding the Corporation has always been near the top of that list. The former Secretary of State, Nadine Dorries, claimed that the current license fee settlement would be the last. The BBC says universality is more important than the means. What could replace the licence fee?
Competition from streamers is inflating the costs of programme-making, and young audiences (16-24 year olds) are spending more time with TikTok than the BBC. What should be the BBC be concentrating on?
When Tim Davie began his tenure as DG he made impartiality a priority, yet we’ve recently seen how easy it is for a reporter to breach it with “glee”. Trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback as the Dutch saying goes.
But recent events in its centenary year such as the Commonwealth Games and the coverage of the death and funeral of HM The Queen remind even the BBC’s most ardent critics how much it is valued.
Join our panel as they offer the current leadership their views and advice. We want you to be able to ask your questions and take part in the debate too. If you want to submit your questions in advance, please email them to: rtslondon@rts.org.uk
Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine over which to continue the debate.
Chair:
Andrew Eborn, International lawyer, and broadcaster
Panel includes:
Greg Dyke, Former Director General, the BBC
Prof. Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History, University of Westminster; Official Historian of the BBC
Producer:
Phil Barnes
THE LEGAL EAGLE HAS LANDED @ANDREWEBORN’s LAWFUL NEWS
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Andrew Eborn – President Octopus TV Ltd
Andrew Eborn, President Octopus TV Ltd, is an international lawyer, strategic business adviser, broadcaster, author and futurist. For many years Andrew has empowered companies to face the challenges of changing markets, maximise the return on their rights as well as assisting with the strategic development of their businesses. Andrew Eborn appears regularly on various channels around the world as a presenter / contributor on a wide range of topics as well as a speaker / host at live events including major festivals.
@AndrewEborn @OctopusTV
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