Points of View

Image: Kenneth Robinson, Anne Robinson and Robert Robinson (with Barry Took on the stamp) in 1991.

The first edition of the viewer feedback programme Points of View aired on 2 October 1961. It was presented by Robert Robinson, who asked viewers to send their letters; "I hope they will be highly critical and frightfully disobedient, and so help television from one of its besetting sins, which is complacency." The resulting letters were frequently funny and - combined with Robinson's witty presentation - ensured the programme was entertaining even as it held the BBC to account.

Points of View has been presented by Anne Robinson, Kenneth Robinson, Barry Took, Carol Vorderman, and Terry Wogan, amongst others, over the years, the most recent being Jeremy Vine. The programme features clips from television shows, and in the days before video recorders this gave viewers a chance to catch a favourite clip again, or to see a continuity error or funny moment that had been spotted by an eagle eyed correspondent.

Points of View has evolved over the years while remaining unchanged in essence. Today viewers can communicate by phone or email, as well as on message boards. Programme Executives frequently appear on the programme, and Points of View is happy to ask them the difficult questions that viewers want answered.