Television History

Sites in this category:

Alexandra Palace TV Society
The society aims to preserve the oral and written history of the pioneers of the television service broadcast from Alexandra Palace from 1936. Site holds details of the society's archive, a selection of photographs from the archive, films of the early TV programmes and information on the UK TV web ring and how to join.
The BBC Story
An overview and detailed articles about the BBC's history. Also, information about BBC research facilities and collections.
BBC Written Archives Centre
Information about the BBC's Written Archives Centre which holds thousands of files, scripts and working papers from as far back as the BBC's formation in 1922, together with information about past programmes and the history of broadcasting.
The British Sitcom Guide
Includes a directory of British sitcoms listing over 800 titles, with cast and crew credits. Also news, forum, competitions and section on writing sitcom.
Cherished Television
Cherished Television is dedicated to the history of its author's favourite TV shows. Features a section on the invention of television.
Elstree Calling
Dedicated to Elstree Studios, the site covers the ongoing history of the Studios, detailing past and current productions.
Elstree FIlm & Television Heritage Group
Details the work of Elstree Film & Television Heritage Group, which is dedicated to preserving the memory of film and television production at Elstree Studios.
The Encyclopedia of Television
Hosted on the website of Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications, The Encyclopedia of Television includes more than 1,000 original essays from more than 250 contributors and examines specific programs and people, historic moments and trends, major policy disputes and such topics as violence, tabloid television and the quiz show scandal. It also includes histories of major television networks as well as broadcasting systems around the world and is complemented by resource materials, photos and bibliographical information.
FIAT: International Federation of Television Archives
A non-profit professional association, established in 1977. FIAT provides cooperation among television archives, multimedia and audiovisual archives and libraries. The website lists all members and FIAT newsletters.
Independent Tele Web
ITW focuses on the history of independent commercial television in the UK. Each TV company features separate sections on its history, programmes and addresses.
Kaleidoscope
'Kaleidoscope is a voluntary, non-profit organisation devoted to the appreciation of classic and vintage British television.' Based in the West Midlands, the group organize and assist various TV events. Focusing on TV history, the site provides information on selected classic series from the 1960s and 1970s via reviews, articles and production material. Plus a retrospective TV review and TV news section, recent news items, links pages and feedback.
Museum of the Broadcast Television Camera
Site includes photos and technical details of all European and American television cameras that have been used for broadcasting.
National Museum of Photography, Film and TV
Site of the National Museum which holds historical material on the start of TV, film and photography, plus an IMAX cinema and the only publicly accessible Cinerama cinema worldwide. Provides information on Special Exhibitions, 'TV Heaven' (which holds best and worst of British TV) and on film and photography sections in the Museum. Also provides details of film festivals hosted by NMPFT.
NeTWork 21
Brief history of London's only pirate TV station, which broadcast from April to December in 1986.
Russian TVdata Video Catalogue
TVdata provides stock footage and research services for Russian related topics, such as Kremlin interiors, the Chernobyl disaster, and the Chechen war. Search the catalogue online, with viewable clips.
Television History
US focused website, though covering Britain and Europe, on TV history from pre-1935 to 2000. Outlines the development of television in relation to technical progress and design. Reviews books on TV from the 1920s, holds information on TV magazines, patents, TV advertising and profiles the early inventors.
thechestnut.com
Thechestnut.com is a television nostalgia site concentrating on children's programmes. It includes a good range of stills as well as background information and cast and credit lists for around 80 titles.
Transdiffusion Broadcasting History
Transdiffusion Broadcasting History is a not-for-profit historical society dedicated to the documentation and preservation of broadcasting history. The site is part of a network including over three dozen websites covering all aspects of broadcasting history.
TV Ark
'Started in Nov. 1998, this site is an Online Museum, dedicated to British television Logos, Idents, Programmes and Presentation'. Images and logos are focused on rather than credits or details of programmes, yet credits go back to 1950s. Covers TV channels, presenters, news and sport etc. Also holds a select database of TV comedy, sport, children's TV and adverts.
TV Dawn
Focussing on the beginning of the television age, TV Dawn features very early TV recordings and detailed historical information.