APTS Archive
@aptsarchive.bsky.social
~ Preserving the televisual past for the digital future ~
Official channel of the Alexandra Palace Television Society.
All enquiries to [email protected]
Official channel of the Alexandra Palace Television Society.
All enquiries to [email protected]
By doing my usual shopping the online retailers have already donated £15 to the W. W. Winter Heritage Trust.
By doing the same you could help preserve the World’s oldest continually operating photography studio with its restoration and digitisation of its photographic archive.
By doing the same you could help preserve the World’s oldest continually operating photography studio with its restoration and digitisation of its photographic archive.
Raise FREE donations for W. W. Winter Heritage Trust EVERY time you shop online using @easyuk.
Over 8,000 retailers will donate including all the big names like eBay, ASOS, Expedia, M&S, Just Eat, Uswitch and more!
Visit: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/w-w-w...
Over 8,000 retailers will donate including all the big names like eBay, ASOS, Expedia, M&S, Just Eat, Uswitch and more!
Visit: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/w-w-w...
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/w-w-winter-heritage-trust/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pmc&utm_content=tw-1
www.easyfundraising.org.uk
October 13, 2026 at 9:03 PM
By doing my usual shopping the online retailers have already donated £15 to the W. W. Winter Heritage Trust.
By doing the same you could help preserve the World’s oldest continually operating photography studio with its restoration and digitisation of its photographic archive.
By doing the same you could help preserve the World’s oldest continually operating photography studio with its restoration and digitisation of its photographic archive.
I’m excited to be part of #BBCTV90 at #AllyPally, marking 90 years since BBC TV began at Alexandra Palace. Join me on 2nd Nov for "Desmond Campbell – Behind the Scenes of Early TV".
Pleased to say it’s sold out!
Find out more: buff.ly/CanCP9d
@yourallypally
Pleased to say it’s sold out!
Find out more: buff.ly/CanCP9d
@yourallypally
October 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM
I’m excited to be part of #BBCTV90 at #AllyPally, marking 90 years since BBC TV began at Alexandra Palace. Join me on 2nd Nov for "Desmond Campbell – Behind the Scenes of Early TV".
Pleased to say it’s sold out!
Find out more: buff.ly/CanCP9d
@yourallypally
Pleased to say it’s sold out!
Find out more: buff.ly/CanCP9d
@yourallypally
Reposted by APTS Archive
🎶 #SongSheetSaturday 🎶
“Whispering Grass (I Don’t Tell the Trees)” featuring the fabulous Ivy Benson and her Band. Discover Ivy's story at our next In the Limelight talk:
✨ Ivy Benson, Original GIRL POWER
📅 Tues 22 Sept 2026
🎟️ Tickets: buff.ly/ynyNY4X
#IvyBenson #WomenInMusic
“Whispering Grass (I Don’t Tell the Trees)” featuring the fabulous Ivy Benson and her Band. Discover Ivy's story at our next In the Limelight talk:
✨ Ivy Benson, Original GIRL POWER
📅 Tues 22 Sept 2026
🎟️ Tickets: buff.ly/ynyNY4X
#IvyBenson #WomenInMusic
September 5, 2026 at 7:30 AM
🎶 #SongSheetSaturday 🎶
“Whispering Grass (I Don’t Tell the Trees)” featuring the fabulous Ivy Benson and her Band. Discover Ivy's story at our next In the Limelight talk:
✨ Ivy Benson, Original GIRL POWER
📅 Tues 22 Sept 2026
🎟️ Tickets: buff.ly/ynyNY4X
#IvyBenson #WomenInMusic
“Whispering Grass (I Don’t Tell the Trees)” featuring the fabulous Ivy Benson and her Band. Discover Ivy's story at our next In the Limelight talk:
✨ Ivy Benson, Original GIRL POWER
📅 Tues 22 Sept 2026
🎟️ Tickets: buff.ly/ynyNY4X
#IvyBenson #WomenInMusic
#OTD - 1 Sep 1939.
Ahead of the impending declaration of #WWII on 3 Sep 1939, the #BBCTelevisionService closed down.
No closing announcement was made.
Contrary to claims, the #MickeyMouse cartoon was shown in full, with the transmitters not being powered down for another 20+ minutes.
Ahead of the impending declaration of #WWII on 3 Sep 1939, the #BBCTelevisionService closed down.
No closing announcement was made.
Contrary to claims, the #MickeyMouse cartoon was shown in full, with the transmitters not being powered down for another 20+ minutes.
September 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM
#OTD - 1 Sep 1939.
Ahead of the impending declaration of #WWII on 3 Sep 1939, the #BBCTelevisionService closed down.
No closing announcement was made.
Contrary to claims, the #MickeyMouse cartoon was shown in full, with the transmitters not being powered down for another 20+ minutes.
Ahead of the impending declaration of #WWII on 3 Sep 1939, the #BBCTelevisionService closed down.
No closing announcement was made.
Contrary to claims, the #MickeyMouse cartoon was shown in full, with the transmitters not being powered down for another 20+ minutes.
#OTD 26 July 1937
BBC #TelevisionDemonstrationFilm aired for the first time — it was shown another 1,277 times between 26 July 1937 and 21 October 1939. Viewers wrote to the #RadioTimes asking for something other than the dreaded Demonstration Film they'd learned by heart.
BBC #TelevisionDemonstrationFilm aired for the first time — it was shown another 1,277 times between 26 July 1937 and 21 October 1939. Viewers wrote to the #RadioTimes asking for something other than the dreaded Demonstration Film they'd learned by heart.
Television Demonstration Film: Vintage Trade Transmission.
One of the very first television demonstration films made by the BBC and broadcast from London's Alexandra Palace. The Second World War was looming and the station was about to close down to re-focus…
buff.ly
July 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 26 July 1937
BBC #TelevisionDemonstrationFilm aired for the first time — it was shown another 1,277 times between 26 July 1937 and 21 October 1939. Viewers wrote to the #RadioTimes asking for something other than the dreaded Demonstration Film they'd learned by heart.
BBC #TelevisionDemonstrationFilm aired for the first time — it was shown another 1,277 times between 26 July 1937 and 21 October 1939. Viewers wrote to the #RadioTimes asking for something other than the dreaded Demonstration Film they'd learned by heart.
#OTD 26 July 1937.
The #BBCTelevisionService at #AlexandraPalace closed for three weeks for equipment overhaul.
Meanwhile views of Alexandra Palace, the #DemonstrationFilm and #Newreels were transmitted.
#OutsideBroadcasts of the #DavisCup from #Wimbledon were transmitted 26–27 July.
The #BBCTelevisionService at #AlexandraPalace closed for three weeks for equipment overhaul.
Meanwhile views of Alexandra Palace, the #DemonstrationFilm and #Newreels were transmitted.
#OutsideBroadcasts of the #DavisCup from #Wimbledon were transmitted 26–27 July.
July 26, 2026 at 9:01 AM
#OTD 26 July 1937.
The #BBCTelevisionService at #AlexandraPalace closed for three weeks for equipment overhaul.
Meanwhile views of Alexandra Palace, the #DemonstrationFilm and #Newreels were transmitted.
#OutsideBroadcasts of the #DavisCup from #Wimbledon were transmitted 26–27 July.
The #BBCTelevisionService at #AlexandraPalace closed for three weeks for equipment overhaul.
Meanwhile views of Alexandra Palace, the #DemonstrationFilm and #Newreels were transmitted.
#OutsideBroadcasts of the #DavisCup from #Wimbledon were transmitted 26–27 July.
July 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#OTD - 20 July 1953
The Good Old Days debuted on #BBCTelevision. Produced by #BarneyColehan and running until 31 December 1983, it recreated Victorian–Edwardian music hall at Leeds City Varieties with period songs & sketches. Audiences in costume joined the closing #DownAtTheOldBullAndBush.
The Good Old Days debuted on #BBCTelevision. Produced by #BarneyColehan and running until 31 December 1983, it recreated Victorian–Edwardian music hall at Leeds City Varieties with period songs & sketches. Audiences in costume joined the closing #DownAtTheOldBullAndBush.
July 20, 2026 at 12:30 PM
#OTD - 20 July 1953
The Good Old Days debuted on #BBCTelevision. Produced by #BarneyColehan and running until 31 December 1983, it recreated Victorian–Edwardian music hall at Leeds City Varieties with period songs & sketches. Audiences in costume joined the closing #DownAtTheOldBullAndBush.
The Good Old Days debuted on #BBCTelevision. Produced by #BarneyColehan and running until 31 December 1983, it recreated Victorian–Edwardian music hall at Leeds City Varieties with period songs & sketches. Audiences in costume joined the closing #DownAtTheOldBullAndBush.
Reposted by APTS Archive
Join us a week today at #DerbyMarketHall to celebrate photography with the #PhotographyShow, in conjunction with Snap & Chat Connect & London Camera Exchange.
Make a pinhole camera, see cameras from across the decades, and hear from our Trustees about the Winter Heritage Trust.
Make a pinhole camera, see cameras from across the decades, and hear from our Trustees about the Winter Heritage Trust.
July 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Join us a week today at #DerbyMarketHall to celebrate photography with the #PhotographyShow, in conjunction with Snap & Chat Connect & London Camera Exchange.
Make a pinhole camera, see cameras from across the decades, and hear from our Trustees about the Winter Heritage Trust.
Make a pinhole camera, see cameras from across the decades, and hear from our Trustees about the Winter Heritage Trust.
#OTD - 18th July 1953
The first episode of The #QuatermassExperiment took to the screens.
Broadcast live from studio A at @Yourallypally, written by #NigelKneale, & directed by #RudolphCartier the series changed TV Science Fiction forever.
The first episode of The #QuatermassExperiment took to the screens.
Broadcast live from studio A at @Yourallypally, written by #NigelKneale, & directed by #RudolphCartier the series changed TV Science Fiction forever.
July 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM
#OTD - 18th July 1953
The first episode of The #QuatermassExperiment took to the screens.
Broadcast live from studio A at @Yourallypally, written by #NigelKneale, & directed by #RudolphCartier the series changed TV Science Fiction forever.
The first episode of The #QuatermassExperiment took to the screens.
Broadcast live from studio A at @Yourallypally, written by #NigelKneale, & directed by #RudolphCartier the series changed TV Science Fiction forever.
#OTD 14th July 1930
First play to be shown on British experimental broadcast television - "The Man with the Flower in his Mouth" by #LuigiPirandello.
First production to have any details published in the #RadioTimes.
#TheManWithTheFlowerInHisMouth #THWTFIHM #FirstTelevisionPlay
First play to be shown on British experimental broadcast television - "The Man with the Flower in his Mouth" by #LuigiPirandello.
First production to have any details published in the #RadioTimes.
#TheManWithTheFlowerInHisMouth #THWTFIHM #FirstTelevisionPlay
July 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 14th July 1930
First play to be shown on British experimental broadcast television - "The Man with the Flower in his Mouth" by #LuigiPirandello.
First production to have any details published in the #RadioTimes.
#TheManWithTheFlowerInHisMouth #THWTFIHM #FirstTelevisionPlay
First play to be shown on British experimental broadcast television - "The Man with the Flower in his Mouth" by #LuigiPirandello.
First production to have any details published in the #RadioTimes.
#TheManWithTheFlowerInHisMouth #THWTFIHM #FirstTelevisionPlay
#OTD 11 July 1962
The first live transatlantic tv transmissions via the Telstar satellite are received at Goonhilly Earth station in Cornwall and broadcast live on BBC tv.
buff.ly/yTVXQKL
#Telstar #TransatlanticTransmission #Goonhilly #BBCTelevision #BBCTV
The first live transatlantic tv transmissions via the Telstar satellite are received at Goonhilly Earth station in Cornwall and broadcast live on BBC tv.
buff.ly/yTVXQKL
#Telstar #TransatlanticTransmission #Goonhilly #BBCTelevision #BBCTV
The First Live TV from America | The Satellite Story | BBC Studios
Discover key moments from history and stories about fascinating people on the Official BBC Documentary channel: http://bit.ly/BBCDocs_YouTube_Channel
Fantastic BBC documentary video from 'The…
buff.ly
July 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 11 July 1962
The first live transatlantic tv transmissions via the Telstar satellite are received at Goonhilly Earth station in Cornwall and broadcast live on BBC tv.
buff.ly/yTVXQKL
#Telstar #TransatlanticTransmission #Goonhilly #BBCTelevision #BBCTV
The first live transatlantic tv transmissions via the Telstar satellite are received at Goonhilly Earth station in Cornwall and broadcast live on BBC tv.
buff.ly/yTVXQKL
#Telstar #TransatlanticTransmission #Goonhilly #BBCTelevision #BBCTV
#OTD - 11 July 1950 Andy Pandy began on BBC Television as part of the For the Children strand. Created by Freda Lingstrom and Maria Bird. Andy never spoke; Audrey Atterbury operated him with visible strings, and Janet Ferber provided the songs. Each episode ended with "Time to go home".
July 11, 2026 at 9:30 AM
#OTD - 11 July 1950 Andy Pandy began on BBC Television as part of the For the Children strand. Created by Freda Lingstrom and Maria Bird. Andy never spoke; Audrey Atterbury operated him with visible strings, and Janet Ferber provided the songs. Each episode ended with "Time to go home".
#OTD - 8 July 1952
The BBC transmitted the first live television programmes from Paris to the UK, called "Paris Week".
Because France and Britain used incompatible broadcasting standards, engineers relied on an early BBC standards converter to bridge the gap.
#ParisWeek #Eurovision
The BBC transmitted the first live television programmes from Paris to the UK, called "Paris Week".
Because France and Britain used incompatible broadcasting standards, engineers relied on an early BBC standards converter to bridge the gap.
#ParisWeek #Eurovision
July 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#OTD - 8 July 1952
The BBC transmitted the first live television programmes from Paris to the UK, called "Paris Week".
Because France and Britain used incompatible broadcasting standards, engineers relied on an early BBC standards converter to bridge the gap.
#ParisWeek #Eurovision
The BBC transmitted the first live television programmes from Paris to the UK, called "Paris Week".
Because France and Britain used incompatible broadcasting standards, engineers relied on an early BBC standards converter to bridge the gap.
#ParisWeek #Eurovision
#OTD - 5 July 1954
BBC launched its first daily television news bulletin, News and Newsreel, replacing Television Newsreel. Read by Richard Baker from Alexandra Palace, it combined live news with filmed reports, marking the birth of modern BBC TV news.
#BBCTelevision #BBCTVNews
BBC launched its first daily television news bulletin, News and Newsreel, replacing Television Newsreel. Read by Richard Baker from Alexandra Palace, it combined live news with filmed reports, marking the birth of modern BBC TV news.
#BBCTelevision #BBCTVNews
July 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD - 5 July 1954
BBC launched its first daily television news bulletin, News and Newsreel, replacing Television Newsreel. Read by Richard Baker from Alexandra Palace, it combined live news with filmed reports, marking the birth of modern BBC TV news.
#BBCTelevision #BBCTVNews
BBC launched its first daily television news bulletin, News and Newsreel, replacing Television Newsreel. Read by Richard Baker from Alexandra Palace, it combined live news with filmed reports, marking the birth of modern BBC TV news.
#BBCTelevision #BBCTVNews
#OTD - 1 July 1958
BBC Test Card C modified with BBC identification and extra centre arrows
#BBC #BBCTestCard #BBCTestCards #TestCard #TestCardHistory #TestCardC
BBC Test Card C modified with BBC identification and extra centre arrows
#BBC #BBCTestCard #BBCTestCards #TestCard #TestCardHistory #TestCardC
July 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#OTD - 1 July 1958
BBC Test Card C modified with BBC identification and extra centre arrows
#BBC #BBCTestCard #BBCTestCards #TestCard #TestCardHistory #TestCardC
BBC Test Card C modified with BBC identification and extra centre arrows
#BBC #BBCTestCard #BBCTestCards #TestCard #TestCardHistory #TestCardC
#OTD 29 June 1960
BBC Television Centre officially opened, becoming the world’s first purpose-built television production complex. It became the heart of BBC television, housing studios, news, drama, entertainment & technical innovation for over 50 years.
#BBCTelevision #TelevisionCentre #TVHistory
BBC Television Centre officially opened, becoming the world’s first purpose-built television production complex. It became the heart of BBC television, housing studios, news, drama, entertainment & technical innovation for over 50 years.
#BBCTelevision #TelevisionCentre #TVHistory
June 29, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 29 June 1960
BBC Television Centre officially opened, becoming the world’s first purpose-built television production complex. It became the heart of BBC television, housing studios, news, drama, entertainment & technical innovation for over 50 years.
#BBCTelevision #TelevisionCentre #TVHistory
BBC Television Centre officially opened, becoming the world’s first purpose-built television production complex. It became the heart of BBC television, housing studios, news, drama, entertainment & technical innovation for over 50 years.
#BBCTelevision #TelevisionCentre #TVHistory
#OTD 25 June 1967
"Our World" was the first live international satellite TV broadcast. Seen by an estimated 400–700 million people in 24 countries, it featured global cultural segments, including All You Need Is Love performed live by The Beatles.
#OurWorld #InternationalTelevision
buff.ly/E80B0FN
"Our World" was the first live international satellite TV broadcast. Seen by an estimated 400–700 million people in 24 countries, it featured global cultural segments, including All You Need Is Love performed live by The Beatles.
#OurWorld #InternationalTelevision
buff.ly/E80B0FN
June 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#OTD 25 June 1967
"Our World" was the first live international satellite TV broadcast. Seen by an estimated 400–700 million people in 24 countries, it featured global cultural segments, including All You Need Is Love performed live by The Beatles.
#OurWorld #InternationalTelevision
buff.ly/E80B0FN
"Our World" was the first live international satellite TV broadcast. Seen by an estimated 400–700 million people in 24 countries, it featured global cultural segments, including All You Need Is Love performed live by The Beatles.
#OurWorld #InternationalTelevision
buff.ly/E80B0FN
#OTD 24 June 1946.
The BBC released "Television Is Here Again", a pictorial record of pre-war television productions, and also a look to what the future might contain.
This was used as a test film for engineers installing new television receivers, and for retailers to demonstrate new receivers.
The BBC released "Television Is Here Again", a pictorial record of pre-war television productions, and also a look to what the future might contain.
This was used as a test film for engineers installing new television receivers, and for retailers to demonstrate new receivers.
June 24, 2026 at 5:01 PM
#OTD 24 June 1946.
The BBC released "Television Is Here Again", a pictorial record of pre-war television productions, and also a look to what the future might contain.
This was used as a test film for engineers installing new television receivers, and for retailers to demonstrate new receivers.
The BBC released "Television Is Here Again", a pictorial record of pre-war television productions, and also a look to what the future might contain.
This was used as a test film for engineers installing new television receivers, and for retailers to demonstrate new receivers.
#OTD 24 June 1946
#LesBalletsNègres, Europe and Britain's first Black dance company, made their BBC Television debut. Founded that year by Jamaicans #BertoPasuka and Richie Riley, the multiracial troupe broadcast two dance-dramas: "They Came" and "Market Day".
#TVHistory
#LesBalletsNègres, Europe and Britain's first Black dance company, made their BBC Television debut. Founded that year by Jamaicans #BertoPasuka and Richie Riley, the multiracial troupe broadcast two dance-dramas: "They Came" and "Market Day".
#TVHistory
June 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#OTD 24 June 1946
#LesBalletsNègres, Europe and Britain's first Black dance company, made their BBC Television debut. Founded that year by Jamaicans #BertoPasuka and Richie Riley, the multiracial troupe broadcast two dance-dramas: "They Came" and "Market Day".
#TVHistory
#LesBalletsNègres, Europe and Britain's first Black dance company, made their BBC Television debut. Founded that year by Jamaicans #BertoPasuka and Richie Riley, the multiracial troupe broadcast two dance-dramas: "They Came" and "Market Day".
#TVHistory
#OTD 20 June 1960: Nan Winton (1925–2019) became BBC TV's first female newsreader, breaking gender barriers and paving the way for others despite resistance. (The first on British TV was Barbara Mandell on ITV in 1955).
June 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#OTD 20 June 1960: Nan Winton (1925–2019) became BBC TV's first female newsreader, breaking gender barriers and paving the way for others despite resistance. (The first on British TV was Barbara Mandell on ITV in 1955).
RIP #TeddieBeverley
Last surviving member of the Beverley Sisters, has died aged 99. The close-harmony trio rose from wartime radio to become Britain’s most beloved 1950s girl group, earning chart success, TV fame and an MBE. Her death marks the end of a landmark era in British entertainment.
Last surviving member of the Beverley Sisters, has died aged 99. The close-harmony trio rose from wartime radio to become Britain’s most beloved 1950s girl group, earning chart success, TV fame and an MBE. Her death marks the end of a landmark era in British entertainment.
June 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM
RIP #TeddieBeverley
Last surviving member of the Beverley Sisters, has died aged 99. The close-harmony trio rose from wartime radio to become Britain’s most beloved 1950s girl group, earning chart success, TV fame and an MBE. Her death marks the end of a landmark era in British entertainment.
Last surviving member of the Beverley Sisters, has died aged 99. The close-harmony trio rose from wartime radio to become Britain’s most beloved 1950s girl group, earning chart success, TV fame and an MBE. Her death marks the end of a landmark era in British entertainment.
#OTD 16 June 1956.
The first TV pictures from inside a submerged submarine aired on "Saturday Night Out". The Royal Navy let the BBC join an English Channel exercise between H.M. Submarine Tapir and frigate H.M.S. Grenville; cameras relayed the submarine's signals via the frigate to shore.
The first TV pictures from inside a submerged submarine aired on "Saturday Night Out". The Royal Navy let the BBC join an English Channel exercise between H.M. Submarine Tapir and frigate H.M.S. Grenville; cameras relayed the submarine's signals via the frigate to shore.
June 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 16 June 1956.
The first TV pictures from inside a submerged submarine aired on "Saturday Night Out". The Royal Navy let the BBC join an English Channel exercise between H.M. Submarine Tapir and frigate H.M.S. Grenville; cameras relayed the submarine's signals via the frigate to shore.
The first TV pictures from inside a submerged submarine aired on "Saturday Night Out". The Royal Navy let the BBC join an English Channel exercise between H.M. Submarine Tapir and frigate H.M.S. Grenville; cameras relayed the submarine's signals via the frigate to shore.
#OTD 15 June 1953.
BBC Television achieved a major milestone by broadcasting the first live television relay from a ship at sea. The BBC transmitted a stable signal from a moving vessel to land transmitters, letting millions watch the fleet review live.
BBC Television achieved a major milestone by broadcasting the first live television relay from a ship at sea. The BBC transmitted a stable signal from a moving vessel to land transmitters, letting millions watch the fleet review live.
June 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#OTD 15 June 1953.
BBC Television achieved a major milestone by broadcasting the first live television relay from a ship at sea. The BBC transmitted a stable signal from a moving vessel to land transmitters, letting millions watch the fleet review live.
BBC Television achieved a major milestone by broadcasting the first live television relay from a ship at sea. The BBC transmitted a stable signal from a moving vessel to land transmitters, letting millions watch the fleet review live.
#OTD 14 June 1946 - John Logie Baird died aged 57.
Best known for pioneering television and demonstrating the world’s first working TV system, he spent his final years developing advanced colour and large-screen television technologies that were decades ahead of their time.
#JohnLogieBaird #TV
Best known for pioneering television and demonstrating the world’s first working TV system, he spent his final years developing advanced colour and large-screen television technologies that were decades ahead of their time.
#JohnLogieBaird #TV
June 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 14 June 1946 - John Logie Baird died aged 57.
Best known for pioneering television and demonstrating the world’s first working TV system, he spent his final years developing advanced colour and large-screen television technologies that were decades ahead of their time.
#JohnLogieBaird #TV
Best known for pioneering television and demonstrating the world’s first working TV system, he spent his final years developing advanced colour and large-screen television technologies that were decades ahead of their time.
#JohnLogieBaird #TV