BBC Television News and Newsreel

Image: the News and Newreel opening titles with Alexandra Palace in the background.

Daily television news bulletins started on 5 July 1954, with the News and Newsreel. It began with a summary of the news, illustrated with maps and stills. Newsreaders Richard Baker and John Snagge were out of vision as it was thought their appearance would be a distraction and possibly even betray their opinions. The top story was on peace talks in Indo-China, followed by one on the French in Tunisia. The second part of the bulletin was given over to newsreel films, ending with a report on the end of rationing.

Television news was challenged to illustrate the stories it put on air, an issue that caused unfavourable comparisons with radio. Director of News Tahu Hole wrote in the Radio Times about the problems of getting news film, dependent as it often was on planes and customs restrictions. He looked forward to a time when film would be available almost instantly.

Television news grew from its shaky start. By 1955 it had twice as much airtime and with the introduction of newsreaders in vision it became increasingly popular. It really proved its worth in 1956, bringing footage of the crises in Suez and Hungary into people’s living rooms. Today the main bulletins on BBC One are augmented by the News Channel, which offers breaking news around the clock, as well as news streams available via online, mobile and tablet.