2 November 2011Last updated at 03:14

In pictures: BBC's 75th anniversary broadcast

The Alexandra Palace tower became the iconic representation of television throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s

The BBC and Alexandra Palace in north London are to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the very first broadcast of the corporation's continuous television service on 2 November, 1936 with a free exhibition this weekend.

A script conference in Studio B at Alexandra Palace immediately before rehearsal and transmission

Initially the single channel was broadcast as the BBC Television Service which was shortened to BBC tv until it was joined in 1964 by its sister channel - named BBC Two, whereupon it became BBC1. The spelling of BBC One was adopted in 1997.

Studio preparations being made to cover a general election

Programming was halted during WWII when the transmitter was used to jam the navigation systems of German bombers. But following the war, Alexandra Palace became the BBC's primary production centre for television until the mid 1950s. This picture shows preparations for the coverage of a general election.

Muffin the Mule and his sidekick Annette Mills made their first appearance in June 1946. The early children's TV show ran for nine years.

Another shot from inside a BBC studio as presenters prepare for broadcast

Visitors to the exhibition on 5-6 November will be able to be made up in authentic 1930s TV style, with blue lips and eyes and white pancake facepaint - necessary to provide adequate contrast on the primitive equipment. A menu inspired by 1930s cuisine will also be available from the "BBC canteen".

A female presenter stands before a camera.

Matt Cooke, chair of Alexandra Park And Palace Trust said the first broadcast in 1936 "not only paved the way for a new kind of social entertainment, but it also prompted technological advancements in the way we communicate with each other which still impact on us today".

Entertainment & Arts

In pictures: BBC's 75th anniversary broadcast

Share this page

Services

About BBC News