Jeremy Rogers
@jezmrogers.bsky.social
Still traveling & dreaming
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
Comcast holds talks about acquiring ITV’s television business on.ft.com/4oUhmNs
Comcast holds talks about acquiring ITV’s television business
US media giant sees potential to create a leading streaming service in the UK
on.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Comcast holds talks about acquiring ITV’s television business on.ft.com/4oUhmNs
With Dick Van Dyke nearing 100, maybe the BBC will one day clear up the Scunthorpe problem they have with his name in their programme index. (It is the Dyke part of his name that's the problem rather than the Dick if that matters.)
October 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
With Dick Van Dyke nearing 100, maybe the BBC will one day clear up the Scunthorpe problem they have with his name in their programme index. (It is the Dyke part of his name that's the problem rather than the Dick if that matters.)
This article, probably understandably, omits the role of David Grugeon of the Socialist Education Association & the National Extension College as a moving force in this experiment. There were some additional closed-circuit lectures mounted that week as well as the broadcast ones.
Breakfast television arrives this week on ITV... in 1963. Wake up each morning at 7:15am to educational programming like The Mathematics of Violence with Fred Hoyle and Concentration and Attention with Donald Broadbent.
Dawn University
A new experiment from the Independent Television Authority and Anglia TV
transdiffusion.org
October 20, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This article, probably understandably, omits the role of David Grugeon of the Socialist Education Association & the National Extension College as a moving force in this experiment. There were some additional closed-circuit lectures mounted that week as well as the broadcast ones.
As a contrast early ITV stockpiled film drama before it started through a scarcity of multi-camera studios for making it live. They apologised promising they'd make more studio stuff as soon as they could. That was what TV was thought to be - a performance. Even tape recording didn't change that.
The death of multi-camera TV: a thread. I know most of you will know the technical parts of this (and may have read it in the other place) but bear with me. 1/ 🧵
October 12, 2025 at 7:35 PM
As a contrast early ITV stockpiled film drama before it started through a scarcity of multi-camera studios for making it live. They apologised promising they'd make more studio stuff as soon as they could. That was what TV was thought to be - a performance. Even tape recording didn't change that.
As shown here the notional coverage area of BBCtv Holme Moss 2V was vast. However, particularly in summer the effective area could become very much less, down to no more than 30 miles arising in the main from Sporadic E interference. Band III relays helped later from Winter Hill & Belmont.
More Holme Moss: this undated BBC leaflet (very probably from 1962) explains the station's operations.
Holme Moss
All you ever needed to know about an engineering achievement high in the Pennines
transdiffusion.org
October 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM
As shown here the notional coverage area of BBCtv Holme Moss 2V was vast. However, particularly in summer the effective area could become very much less, down to no more than 30 miles arising in the main from Sporadic E interference. Band III relays helped later from Winter Hill & Belmont.
Aerial photography. One really heavy pigeon doing all the damage.
October 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Aerial photography. One really heavy pigeon doing all the damage.
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
BBC News currently showing what looks like an interesting report, but the subtitles are underneath the banner for most of it. Does anyone from the control room keep an eye on what *actually* goes out?
October 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
BBC News currently showing what looks like an interesting report, but the subtitles are underneath the banner for most of it. Does anyone from the control room keep an eye on what *actually* goes out?
The 2000 crowd that turned up for the opening would have known Sid James but not many would be familiar with Tesco as this store in Leicester was the first outside of the Hone Counties.
"Need some fruit? Step right in and pick up a nice juicy pear. Nyak nyak nyak"
October 8, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The 2000 crowd that turned up for the opening would have known Sid James but not many would be familiar with Tesco as this store in Leicester was the first outside of the Hone Counties.
Network Three & later the Music Programme were in part BBC defences against a perceived threat that as the Third Programme only occupied a few hours at night the frequencies could always be removed at least during daytime & used for a commercial station. The money for these extra services was scant.
Happy birthday to BBC Network Three, born on this day in 1957. Network Three will be something of an odd-sock drawer, picking up things like adult education and sport that don't fit well on the Home Service, Light Programme or Third Programme, and is pitched as being a station for people's hobbies.
September 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Network Three & later the Music Programme were in part BBC defences against a perceived threat that as the Third Programme only occupied a few hours at night the frequencies could always be removed at least during daytime & used for a commercial station. The money for these extra services was scant.
Wow & flutter off the scale supposedly. Lots of non standard tape recorders in the 1950s as manufacturers did their own thing without considering people might want to pass tapes to others. Even Grundig with their earlier models
Todays #RetroTech
Gramdeck - Reel to Reel Deck that uses your Turntable
1959 Made by Andrew Merryfield Ltd, UK
7.5ips at 78rpm
Running at 45 & 33 rpm, resulted in Non Standard Speeds
Yours, for just £13 & 12 Schillings, with Easy Payments too - that’s equivalent to about £300 today
Gramdeck - Reel to Reel Deck that uses your Turntable
1959 Made by Andrew Merryfield Ltd, UK
7.5ips at 78rpm
Running at 45 & 33 rpm, resulted in Non Standard Speeds
Yours, for just £13 & 12 Schillings, with Easy Payments too - that’s equivalent to about £300 today
September 16, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Wow & flutter off the scale supposedly. Lots of non standard tape recorders in the 1950s as manufacturers did their own thing without considering people might want to pass tapes to others. Even Grundig with their earlier models
They'd managed to invent the world's first variable polarisation transmitter. Often vertical to the west and horizontal to the east but not always. The replacement was a more conventional design. The later UHF antenna was also non standard, being panels low down to the sides of the mast but worked.
Meanwhile, the problems with the Black Hill transmitter design have been overcome, according to The Scotsman. Alas they're wrong, with the polarisation still being weird and the coverage pattern diverging considerably from plans. Eventually it was dismantled and another built to replace it.
August 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
They'd managed to invent the world's first variable polarisation transmitter. Often vertical to the west and horizontal to the east but not always. The replacement was a more conventional design. The later UHF antenna was also non standard, being panels low down to the sides of the mast but worked.
If you see this, post a TV ident
August 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM
If you see this, post a TV ident
This predates adopting the "switch over" concept of BBC(1) & ITV to UHF. Adorian was never in favour of a national UHF network because of the cost of 1000+ stations. His solution was to wait for satellite instead, which he thought would be viable by 1980.
Full coverage or a third programme? (1961)
There’s a choice looming: 100% coverage for BBC-1 and ITV, or a BBC or ITV-2… but not both
There’s a choice looming: 100% coverage for BBC-1 and ITV, or a BBC or ITV-2… but not both
Full coverage or a third programme?
There's a choice looming: 100% coverage for BBC-1 and ITV, or a BBC or ITV-2… but not both
transdiffusion.org
August 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
This predates adopting the "switch over" concept of BBC(1) & ITV to UHF. Adorian was never in favour of a national UHF network because of the cost of 1000+ stations. His solution was to wait for satellite instead, which he thought would be viable by 1980.
Pretty much the only readily seen consequence of the otherwise ghostly 1974 franchise extensions. Belmont had always carried BBC North as its VHF function for them was effectively a fill-in for Holme Moss particularly in areas affected by interference in the summer.
On this day in 1974, the Lynn News & Advertiser reports that dealers in north Norfolk and south Lincolnshire are "swamped" by calls from viewers who want to point their aerials away from Belmont, which is switching from Anglia to Yorkshire Television.
July 29, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Pretty much the only readily seen consequence of the otherwise ghostly 1974 franchise extensions. Belmont had always carried BBC North as its VHF function for them was effectively a fill-in for Holme Moss particularly in areas affected by interference in the summer.
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
#OnThisDay 21 July 1961
Adverts in the press announce:
BORDER TV IS COMING!
Bringing you top shows like . . . "weekly drama" Emergency Ward 10 and "domestic comedy" #CoronationStreet. Get ready to switch to Border TV!
Adverts in the press announce:
BORDER TV IS COMING!
Bringing you top shows like . . . "weekly drama" Emergency Ward 10 and "domestic comedy" #CoronationStreet. Get ready to switch to Border TV!
July 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
#OnThisDay 21 July 1961
Adverts in the press announce:
BORDER TV IS COMING!
Bringing you top shows like . . . "weekly drama" Emergency Ward 10 and "domestic comedy" #CoronationStreet. Get ready to switch to Border TV!
Adverts in the press announce:
BORDER TV IS COMING!
Bringing you top shows like . . . "weekly drama" Emergency Ward 10 and "domestic comedy" #CoronationStreet. Get ready to switch to Border TV!
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
We’re pleased to announce that we will be publishing the first full-length biography of prolific Doctor Who writer and script editor Terrance Dicks, written by Simon Guerrier with the cooperation of Terrance’s family. Written by Terrance Dicks is provisionally scheduled for publication in 2026.
July 19, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We’re pleased to announce that we will be publishing the first full-length biography of prolific Doctor Who writer and script editor Terrance Dicks, written by Simon Guerrier with the cooperation of Terrance’s family. Written by Terrance Dicks is provisionally scheduled for publication in 2026.
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
ABC Weekend TV didn't do much children's output, but what they did do – including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Snip and Snap, and Emerald Soup – are in our new book! Back it now on Indiegogo for delivery in September! --> www.indiegogo.com/projects/loo...
July 19, 2025 at 11:42 AM
ABC Weekend TV didn't do much children's output, but what they did do – including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Snip and Snap, and Emerald Soup – are in our new book! Back it now on Indiegogo for delivery in September! --> www.indiegogo.com/projects/loo...
Aerial photography. Most obvious a double-5 Band III array used for fringe area reception of Croydon. An early UHF aerial for Oxford, maybe 50+ years still in service & in the middle a horizontal dipole for the old Band I Ch2 Oxford relay. Many survivors of these around, next door had one as well.
July 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Aerial photography. Most obvious a double-5 Band III array used for fringe area reception of Croydon. An early UHF aerial for Oxford, maybe 50+ years still in service & in the middle a horizontal dipole for the old Band I Ch2 Oxford relay. Many survivors of these around, next door had one as well.
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
95% of the way there with our 2nd 2025 Transdiffusion Print project! So, there's the 180-page A5 bookazine digesting the ITA/IBA yearbooks 1963-88 on ITV for children (~£10 inc p&p) and the PLUS PACK (~£20 inc the book) of reprints. [1/4]
July 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
95% of the way there with our 2nd 2025 Transdiffusion Print project! So, there's the 180-page A5 bookazine digesting the ITA/IBA yearbooks 1963-88 on ITV for children (~£10 inc p&p) and the PLUS PACK (~£20 inc the book) of reprints. [1/4]
Reposted by Jeremy Rogers
Coming soon from Transdiffusion Print! A 180+page softback book digesting all the ITA/IBA yearbooks' coverage of ITV programmes for children 1963-88. Plus! Stickers! Ephemera reprints! A bookmark that's also a fridge magnet somehow! Stay tuned!
July 7, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Coming soon from Transdiffusion Print! A 180+page softback book digesting all the ITA/IBA yearbooks' coverage of ITV programmes for children 1963-88. Plus! Stickers! Ephemera reprints! A bookmark that's also a fridge magnet somehow! Stay tuned!
Aerial photography. A collection observed in Reading. Four UHF pointed towards Hannington of various vintages plus one for Crystal Palace. Band II for London FM. Plus a Band III relic for Croydon.
June 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Aerial photography. A collection observed in Reading. Four UHF pointed towards Hannington of various vintages plus one for Crystal Palace. Band II for London FM. Plus a Band III relic for Croydon.
The British Government had a poor track record of cluttering up what were broadcasting frequencies elsewhere with other "official" users. This was done in Band III as well as Band II. The former delayed the potential expansion of ITV as for some years only 3 channels were cleared.
The Geneva Plan (1986)
Your weekend long read, if you can bear to read in this heat: All change on FM
Your weekend long read, if you can bear to read in this heat: All change on FM
The Geneva Plan
All change on FM
transdiffusion.org
June 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The British Government had a poor track record of cluttering up what were broadcasting frequencies elsewhere with other "official" users. This was done in Band III as well as Band II. The former delayed the potential expansion of ITV as for some years only 3 channels were cleared.
Aerial photography. Size isn't everything. Short yagis were often used in the early UHF days in areas of good reception. This dinky Group C/D one is on a thick pole which probably originally held a much more hefty VHF array. Recent channel changes have made some of these no longer adequate.
June 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Aerial photography. Size isn't everything. Short yagis were often used in the early UHF days in areas of good reception. This dinky Group C/D one is on a thick pole which probably originally held a much more hefty VHF array. Recent channel changes have made some of these no longer adequate.
Back to aerial photography, from the roof of a chip shop. Two Oxford UHF aerials on an old pole with a redundant "1 and 7", the Band I dipole for Crystal Palace & the Band III yagi for Croydon.
June 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Back to aerial photography, from the roof of a chip shop. Two Oxford UHF aerials on an old pole with a redundant "1 and 7", the Band I dipole for Crystal Palace & the Band III yagi for Croydon.
Some historical curiosities in the radio listings:
"Test Match Special" listed as its own Service not Network 3.
Rediffusion Channel B being Net3 sport only + foreign selections. Cable not carrying the evening Third Programme was criticised by the Pilkington Committee. Luxembourg more profitable!
"Test Match Special" listed as its own Service not Network 3.
Rediffusion Channel B being Net3 sport only + foreign selections. Cable not carrying the evening Third Programme was criticised by the Pilkington Committee. Luxembourg more profitable!
Looking for something else, we stumble upon the Bristol Evening Post's TV guide for this day in 1965. Looks like ABC and ATV were bickering, given 'Redcap' is on Westward & 'The Human Jungle' is on Southern on a Thursday.
(Evening paper, no progs before 5pm shown; BBC-2 hasn't reached the area yet)
(Evening paper, no progs before 5pm shown; BBC-2 hasn't reached the area yet)
June 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Some historical curiosities in the radio listings:
"Test Match Special" listed as its own Service not Network 3.
Rediffusion Channel B being Net3 sport only + foreign selections. Cable not carrying the evening Third Programme was criticised by the Pilkington Committee. Luxembourg more profitable!
"Test Match Special" listed as its own Service not Network 3.
Rediffusion Channel B being Net3 sport only + foreign selections. Cable not carrying the evening Third Programme was criticised by the Pilkington Committee. Luxembourg more profitable!