Today, the 主播大秀 releases another decade of Radio Times magazines as part of the 主播大秀 Genome Project, 主播大秀 Genome Producer Andrew Martin introduces the collection.
Programme information from Radio Times listings between 1923 – 2009 is already available on the Genome website, but this new release allows readers to see the actual magazines from the 1930s. The 1920s magazines were made available earlier in 2017.
You can now see regular columns giving news about programmes, articles about various aspects of 主播大秀 output and policy, and the events that influenced and informed broadcasting in this important decade in world history, all complemented by illustrations, photographs, listeners’ letters and cartoons.
The 1930s was a turbulent decade, as the country tried to cope with the worldwide depression and mass unemployment that followed the 1929 Wall Street Crash. In 1936, King George V died, but his successor Edward VIII abdicated at the end of the year and was replaced by his brother, George VI. Internationally, the decade was marked by the rise of the Nazis in Germany, culminating in the outbreak of war in September 1939.
It was a time of change in broadcasting too. In 1932, the 主播大秀 moved from its old headquarters at Savoy Hill to the purpose-built Broadcasting House, still its headquarters today. The old individual stations identified by their call signs – such as 2LO, 5IT and 6LV – changed to more centralised National and Regional Programmes, and the Empire Service (now the World Service) was launched, relaying the first Royal Christmas broadcast, in which King George V’s voice was heard around the world at the end of an international link-up.
Radio Times shines a light on the programmes that became popular during the decade. Variety programmes were revitalised by a new generation of performers who were attuned to broadcasting. Radio drama was also developing fast, and technical advances allowed far greater flexibility in play production. Radio Times was full of articles about the growth of broadcasting techniques in all fields, including documentaries and music.
During the 1930s, Radio Times’ visual style broke free from the more restrained look of the 1920s, with increased use of artwork and photographs both on the cover and internally. Prestigious artists such as John Gilroy, Heath Robinson and Eric Fraser were regular contributors, and the magazines are full of visual treasures: from the smallest listings illustrations to full front cover art that helped bring the pages of Radio Times to life.
The 主播大秀 Television Service also first emerged in this decade. In 1930, the 主播大秀 had only recently allowed John Logie Baird to use its transmitters for experimental television, and with only one transmitter available, his first broadcasts had to alternate sound and vision. The launch of the Regional Programme early in 1930 allowed these to be broadcast simultaneously, but the low-definition (30 lines) service was still very basic. In 1932, the 主播大秀 assumed responsibility for making television programmes: "Television makes its bow from Broadcasting House," announced Radio Times in August 1932.
High definition television began in 1936, from Alexandra Palace. At first there were two competing systems, Baird and Marconi-EMI, but after a few months the latter proved to be better, and was the basis of television in Britain thereafter. Radio Times included a glossy Television Supplement from January to July 1937, to publicise the new service.
In May 1937 the first proper television outside broadcast was mounted, with scenes of the coronation procession of King George VI televised from Hyde Park Corner. Previous outside broadcasts had involved taking studio cameras into the grounds of Alexandra Palace, but now state occasions, public entertainments and sporting events could be covered – like Wimbledon and the FA Cup final. Though the television service was only on air for a few hours each day, plans were afoot to expand to the Midlands and the rest of the country.
All that came to an end on 1 September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Although it was another two days until Britain declared war, the 主播大秀 put its emergency plans into operation: television closed down, and domestic radio services were conflated into a single 主播大秀 Service. The issue of Radio Times for 3-9 September 1939 had been printed, but was now entirely redundant, and an emergency edition was published in its place on 4 September 1939. Now under wartime restrictions, the 主播大秀, and Radio Times, battled on.
We hope visitors to 主播大秀 Genome will enjoy exploring this fascinating record of broadcasting and social history from one of the most important decades of the 20th Century.
Andrew Martin is 主播大秀 Genome producer
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