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]
#OTD - 30 Jan 1937
The last transmission using the Baird system to be transmitted from Alexandra Palace.
The final programme was "Cabaret".
The programme ran from 9:38 to 10:03 and suffered several technical difficulties throughout the programme.
The last transmission using the Baird system to be transmitted from Alexandra Palace.
The final programme was "Cabaret".
The programme ran from 9:38 to 10:03 and suffered several technical difficulties throughout the programme.
January 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM
#OTD - 30 Jan 1937
The last transmission using the Baird system to be transmitted from Alexandra Palace.
The final programme was "Cabaret".
The programme ran from 9:38 to 10:03 and suffered several technical difficulties throughout the programme.
The last transmission using the Baird system to be transmitted from Alexandra Palace.
The final programme was "Cabaret".
The programme ran from 9:38 to 10:03 and suffered several technical difficulties throughout the programme.
#OTD - 30-31 January 1957.
On this day, spanning 30-31 January 1957, a notable colour broadcast demonstration took place for a sizable gathering of both Houses of Parliament members, using six television sets positioned in a chamber within the House of Lords.
On this day, spanning 30-31 January 1957, a notable colour broadcast demonstration took place for a sizable gathering of both Houses of Parliament members, using six television sets positioned in a chamber within the House of Lords.
January 30, 2026 at 10:01 AM
#OTD - 30-31 January 1957.
On this day, spanning 30-31 January 1957, a notable colour broadcast demonstration took place for a sizable gathering of both Houses of Parliament members, using six television sets positioned in a chamber within the House of Lords.
On this day, spanning 30-31 January 1957, a notable colour broadcast demonstration took place for a sizable gathering of both Houses of Parliament members, using six television sets positioned in a chamber within the House of Lords.
#OTD - 29 January 1939 - "Television Surveys No 2: The #InternationalTelephoneExchange".
OB from #FaradayBuildings, London.
The 25 min programme featured interviews by #LeslieMitchell, with Mr Thwaites (Chief Superintendent), Miss Pagel & Miss Spinks (Supervisors).
OB from #FaradayBuildings, London.
The 25 min programme featured interviews by #LeslieMitchell, with Mr Thwaites (Chief Superintendent), Miss Pagel & Miss Spinks (Supervisors).
January 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM
#OTD - 29 January 1939 - "Television Surveys No 2: The #InternationalTelephoneExchange".
OB from #FaradayBuildings, London.
The 25 min programme featured interviews by #LeslieMitchell, with Mr Thwaites (Chief Superintendent), Miss Pagel & Miss Spinks (Supervisors).
OB from #FaradayBuildings, London.
The 25 min programme featured interviews by #LeslieMitchell, with Mr Thwaites (Chief Superintendent), Miss Pagel & Miss Spinks (Supervisors).
Reposted by APTS Archive
Centenary day on the blog, with a Magic Rays extract, recounting JLB's 26 Jan '26 public presentation of 'true television', plus links to Don McLean's article at The Conversation, and contemporary reports at Andre Lang's History of Television website.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/centenary-day/
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/centenary-day/
Centenary day - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Happy 100th birthday, television! Exactly one hundred years ago tonight, John Logie Baird gave the first public presentation of what he called ‘true television’ in his workshop abou...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Centenary day on the blog, with a Magic Rays extract, recounting JLB's 26 Jan '26 public presentation of 'true television', plus links to Don McLean's article at The Conversation, and contemporary reports at Andre Lang's History of Television website.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/centenary-day/
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/centenary-day/
#OTD - 26 Jan
#JohnLogieBaird successfully demonstrated his mechanical #television system able to show a human face, at 22 Frith Street, Soho.
Today 100 years later an event will be held at the same location to commemorate the anniversary with JLB's grandson.
[AI image from an original photograph]
#JohnLogieBaird successfully demonstrated his mechanical #television system able to show a human face, at 22 Frith Street, Soho.
Today 100 years later an event will be held at the same location to commemorate the anniversary with JLB's grandson.
[AI image from an original photograph]
January 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM
#OTD - 26 Jan
#JohnLogieBaird successfully demonstrated his mechanical #television system able to show a human face, at 22 Frith Street, Soho.
Today 100 years later an event will be held at the same location to commemorate the anniversary with JLB's grandson.
[AI image from an original photograph]
#JohnLogieBaird successfully demonstrated his mechanical #television system able to show a human face, at 22 Frith Street, Soho.
Today 100 years later an event will be held at the same location to commemorate the anniversary with JLB's grandson.
[AI image from an original photograph]
Available for a month is "The Birth of Television," a 1976 documentary marking the 40th Anniversary of BBC Television. Leslie Mitchell explores television's origins, from the early 20th century to the first outside broadcast: the 1937 coronation of George VI. #AlexandraPalace
The Birth of Television
Leslie Mitchell traces the origins of television, from the beginning of the 20th century to the first outside broadcast - the coronation of George VI in 1937.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Available for a month is "The Birth of Television," a 1976 documentary marking the 40th Anniversary of BBC Television. Leslie Mitchell explores television's origins, from the early 20th century to the first outside broadcast: the 1937 coronation of George VI. #AlexandraPalace
Available for the next month is "The Man Who Saw The Future".
A profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication & drive made his achievements possible, presented by Malcolm Baird.
#JohnLogieBaird #TelevisionHistory #AlexandraPalace
A profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication & drive made his achievements possible, presented by Malcolm Baird.
#JohnLogieBaird #TelevisionHistory #AlexandraPalace
JLB: The Man Who Saw the Future
Profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication and drive made his achievements possible, presented by his son, Malcolm.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Available for the next month is "The Man Who Saw The Future".
A profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication & drive made his achievements possible, presented by Malcolm Baird.
#JohnLogieBaird #TelevisionHistory #AlexandraPalace
A profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication & drive made his achievements possible, presented by Malcolm Baird.
#JohnLogieBaird #TelevisionHistory #AlexandraPalace
Reposted by APTS Archive
More Magic Rays of Light, this time in the form of an article for BFI Online, which is a kind of introduction to the riches and variety of pre-war television.
www.bfi.org.uk/features/tel...
www.bfi.org.uk/features/tel...
Television turns 100: the forgotten history of Britain’s earliest TV shows
One hundred years after the birth of television in Britain, Magic Rays of Light author John Wyver looks back at the rapid development of the new medium during the 1930s – a lost era that saw a huge va...
www.bfi.org.uk
January 19, 2026 at 4:17 PM
More Magic Rays of Light, this time in the form of an article for BFI Online, which is a kind of introduction to the riches and variety of pre-war television.
www.bfi.org.uk/features/tel...
www.bfi.org.uk/features/tel...
The masterful work on pre-war television was published on 8th January. Written by my friend John Wyver, it is set to become the authority on early television. The book is thoroughly researched, well-written, and delighted that APTS contributed some images.
January 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM
The masterful work on pre-war television was published on 8th January. Written by my friend John Wyver, it is set to become the authority on early television. The book is thoroughly researched, well-written, and delighted that APTS contributed some images.
#OTD - The Open University television broadcasts begin at 1100 on BBC 2. After an introduction, the first programme is about mathematics.
Planning commenced in 1965, under the Minister of Education Jennie Lee. The university was granted a royal charter by the Privy Council on 23 April 1969.
Planning commenced in 1965, under the Minister of Education Jennie Lee. The university was granted a royal charter by the Privy Council on 23 April 1969.
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM
#OTD - The Open University television broadcasts begin at 1100 on BBC 2. After an introduction, the first programme is about mathematics.
Planning commenced in 1965, under the Minister of Education Jennie Lee. The university was granted a royal charter by the Privy Council on 23 April 1969.
Planning commenced in 1965, under the Minister of Education Jennie Lee. The university was granted a royal charter by the Privy Council on 23 April 1969.
All best wishes for a healthy and happy 2026 from the Alexandra Palace Television Society
December 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
All best wishes for a healthy and happy 2026 from the Alexandra Palace Television Society
With best wishes for a Merry Christmas 2025 and for the year ahead.
Thank you for your continued support of our social media channels during the past year.
We hope 2026 will see the APTS website back online again, with access to our unique Desmond Campbell collection of photographs and cine films.
Thank you for your continued support of our social media channels during the past year.
We hope 2026 will see the APTS website back online again, with access to our unique Desmond Campbell collection of photographs and cine films.
December 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
With best wishes for a Merry Christmas 2025 and for the year ahead.
Thank you for your continued support of our social media channels during the past year.
We hope 2026 will see the APTS website back online again, with access to our unique Desmond Campbell collection of photographs and cine films.
Thank you for your continued support of our social media channels during the past year.
We hope 2026 will see the APTS website back online again, with access to our unique Desmond Campbell collection of photographs and cine films.
#OTD - 17 Dec 1949 - BBC Television expanded to The Midlands, with the Sutton Coldfield transmitter being the first to broadcast outside of London and the world's most powerful at the time.
Sylvia Peter's in-vision continuity was superb for 1949!
Sylvia Peter's in-vision continuity was superb for 1949!
Opening of BBC Television Transmitter - Sutton Coldfield
On December 17, 1949, the transmitter at Sutton Coldfield became the first television transmitter to broadcast outside London and the Home Counties, bringing BBC Television to viewers outside of the…
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#OTD - 17 Dec 1949 - BBC Television expanded to The Midlands, with the Sutton Coldfield transmitter being the first to broadcast outside of London and the world's most powerful at the time.
Sylvia Peter's in-vision continuity was superb for 1949!
Sylvia Peter's in-vision continuity was superb for 1949!
A fantastic new experience at Alexandra Palace starting in February 2026!
The UK’s highest rooftop adventure is set to open next year, as visitors will soon be able to walk across the roof of Alexandra Palace, 130 metres above sea level.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/ale...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/ale...
Alexandra Palace unveils UK’s highest roof climb
The UK's highest rooftop adventure is set to open next year, as visitors will soon be able to walk across the roof of Alexandra Palace, 130 metres above sea level.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A fantastic new experience at Alexandra Palace starting in February 2026!
A recent digital addition to the APTS Archive is a fascinating diary from the Lines Termination Room at Alexandra Palace - Oct 1937 to Oct 1938. Contains 40 pages of notes on equipment usage, operation times, & faults, also early mention of BBC engineer Mr. Harry Rantzen, father of @ERantzen.
December 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A recent digital addition to the APTS Archive is a fascinating diary from the Lines Termination Room at Alexandra Palace - Oct 1937 to Oct 1938. Contains 40 pages of notes on equipment usage, operation times, & faults, also early mention of BBC engineer Mr. Harry Rantzen, father of @ERantzen.
A must-have for anyone interested in photographs of Derby through the years.
Sales of these books provides the Winter Heritage Trust with funds to continue the digitisation of their extensive archive holdings.
Sales of these books provides the Winter Heritage Trust with funds to continue the digitisation of their extensive archive holdings.
Struggling to find that last-minute Christmas gift?
Our book of old Derby photographs from the W W Winter archive is perfect for those interested in Derby history.
Available for £10 at our Midland Rd studio in Derby.
#WWWinter #DerbyHistory #ChristmasPresent #LastMinutePresent
Our book of old Derby photographs from the W W Winter archive is perfect for those interested in Derby history.
Available for £10 at our Midland Rd studio in Derby.
#WWWinter #DerbyHistory #ChristmasPresent #LastMinutePresent
December 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A must-have for anyone interested in photographs of Derby through the years.
Sales of these books provides the Winter Heritage Trust with funds to continue the digitisation of their extensive archive holdings.
Sales of these books provides the Winter Heritage Trust with funds to continue the digitisation of their extensive archive holdings.
#OTD - 2nd December 1953
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
#OTD - 2nd December 1953
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
A must-watch documentary for anyone interested in the history of children's television programmes, with 'Whirligig' being one of the first.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
Exactly 75 years ago, BBC Television had just begun regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes, with the opening episode of Whirligig at 5pm.
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A must-watch documentary for anyone interested in the history of children's television programmes, with 'Whirligig' being one of the first.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
#OTD - 23 November 1938 - "How Divers are Trained"
#OutsideBroadcast from the #SiebeGorman diving tank, Westminster Bridge Road, London.
#JohnSnagge in a diving suit received instruction on descending into the diving tank.
Commentary by #PhilipDorte
Presentation by #HaroldCox
#OutsideBroadcast from the #SiebeGorman diving tank, Westminster Bridge Road, London.
#JohnSnagge in a diving suit received instruction on descending into the diving tank.
Commentary by #PhilipDorte
Presentation by #HaroldCox
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD - 23 November 1938 - "How Divers are Trained"
#OutsideBroadcast from the #SiebeGorman diving tank, Westminster Bridge Road, London.
#JohnSnagge in a diving suit received instruction on descending into the diving tank.
Commentary by #PhilipDorte
Presentation by #HaroldCox
#OutsideBroadcast from the #SiebeGorman diving tank, Westminster Bridge Road, London.
#JohnSnagge in a diving suit received instruction on descending into the diving tank.
Commentary by #PhilipDorte
Presentation by #HaroldCox
November 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
#OTD - 11 November 1938 - #TheWhiteChateau was televised.
Starring: #AntoinetteCellier, #MaryHinton, #ErikChitty, #AndrewOsborn, #JoanKempWelch.
A location in Belgium that was known as the "White Chateau" by British soldiers and was the site of intense fighting.
Starring: #AntoinetteCellier, #MaryHinton, #ErikChitty, #AndrewOsborn, #JoanKempWelch.
A location in Belgium that was known as the "White Chateau" by British soldiers and was the site of intense fighting.
November 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
#OTD - 11 November 1938 - #TheWhiteChateau was televised.
Starring: #AntoinetteCellier, #MaryHinton, #ErikChitty, #AndrewOsborn, #JoanKempWelch.
A location in Belgium that was known as the "White Chateau" by British soldiers and was the site of intense fighting.
Starring: #AntoinetteCellier, #MaryHinton, #ErikChitty, #AndrewOsborn, #JoanKempWelch.
A location in Belgium that was known as the "White Chateau" by British soldiers and was the site of intense fighting.
#OTD - Experimental Band V, 405-line broadcasts from Crystal Palace begin.
This film 'The Phoenix Tower' tells the story of the Crystal Palace and the building of the transmitting tower.
buff.ly/wDNjaR0
This film 'The Phoenix Tower' tells the story of the Crystal Palace and the building of the transmitting tower.
buff.ly/wDNjaR0
Crystal Palace Transmitter - The Phoenix Tower
Arqiva's Crystal Palace Transmitting Station - built in 1956 is the main TV transmitter for the London area. The tower stands 219 meters tall on the site of the sad demise of the Crystal Palace by…
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#OTD - Experimental Band V, 405-line broadcasts from Crystal Palace begin.
This film 'The Phoenix Tower' tells the story of the Crystal Palace and the building of the transmitting tower.
buff.ly/wDNjaR0
This film 'The Phoenix Tower' tells the story of the Crystal Palace and the building of the transmitting tower.
buff.ly/wDNjaR0
#OTD - 11th November 1937
The first outside broadcast of the Service of Remembrance from the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Views of members of the Cabinet, #KingGeorge VI, #DukeofGloucester & #DukeofKent, the King laying a wreath on the #Cenotaph.
The television coverage lasted from 10:30 until 11:10am.
The first outside broadcast of the Service of Remembrance from the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Views of members of the Cabinet, #KingGeorge VI, #DukeofGloucester & #DukeofKent, the King laying a wreath on the #Cenotaph.
The television coverage lasted from 10:30 until 11:10am.
November 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#OTD - 11th November 1937
The first outside broadcast of the Service of Remembrance from the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Views of members of the Cabinet, #KingGeorge VI, #DukeofGloucester & #DukeofKent, the King laying a wreath on the #Cenotaph.
The television coverage lasted from 10:30 until 11:10am.
The first outside broadcast of the Service of Remembrance from the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Views of members of the Cabinet, #KingGeorge VI, #DukeofGloucester & #DukeofKent, the King laying a wreath on the #Cenotaph.
The television coverage lasted from 10:30 until 11:10am.
Reposted by APTS Archive
OTD in early British television
After yesterday’s post about Television Comes to London, let’s stay in the first week of the official high definition television from Alexandra Palace, and turn our attention to the afternoon of Friday 6 November 1936.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
After yesterday’s post about Television Comes to London, let’s stay in the first week of the official high definition television from Alexandra Palace, and turn our attention to the afternoon of Friday 6 November 1936.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 6 November 1936 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: After yesterday’s post about Television Comes to London, let’s stay in the first week of the official high definition television from Alexandra Palace, and turn our attention to the...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
OTD in early British television
After yesterday’s post about Television Comes to London, let’s stay in the first week of the official high definition television from Alexandra Palace, and turn our attention to the afternoon of Friday 6 November 1936.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
After yesterday’s post about Television Comes to London, let’s stay in the first week of the official high definition television from Alexandra Palace, and turn our attention to the afternoon of Friday 6 November 1936.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
Reposted by APTS Archive
Today's post reverts to the 'On this day in early British television' format, and considers the film documentary 'Television Comes to London', shown on the afternoon of Thursday 5 November 1936.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 5 November 1936 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: The high definition television service from Alexandra Palace was just three days old on Bonfire Night 1936. That afternoon, after a performance under the name of the Mercury Ballet ...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Today's post reverts to the 'On this day in early British television' format, and considers the film documentary 'Television Comes to London', shown on the afternoon of Thursday 5 November 1936.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...