In addition to carrying out original research, this project aims to draw upon the substantial knowledge and expertise found in many existing personal websites which document the history of British television broadcasting.
If you know of – or own – a website which you would like to see added to this list, please email adapt@rhul.ac.uk.
On The Air
Website of Steve Harris, restorer of vintage television and radio equipment, including BBC Colour Mobile Control Unit ‘North 3’.
BBCeng.info
A wide-ranging website covering the history of the BBC Engineering department.
Noticeboard for former BBC staff
Active forum discussing various aspects of broadcasting past, present and future.
The Tech-ops History Site
A rich site which boasts numerous pictures and stories of past events.
Alexandra Palace Television Society
Although not updated for some time, the Society’s website includes a variety of archival material and oral history realting to television production at Alexandra Palace.
BBC VT – a record
An extensive informal record of the history of videotape as used at the BBC, including equipment pictures and scanned documentation and brochures.
TelOBians
This site’s wide range of photographs and memoirs offers a unique insight into the day-to-day realities of BBC Outside Broadcast operations.
BBC TV LPU 1
This site documents an effort by television history enthusiasts to restore a 1970s BBC Location Production Unit (LPU). Site includes some oral history relating to operation of LPU.
Golden Age TV Recreations
The website of Dicky Howett (ex-BBC) and Paul Marshall (ex-Marconi), offering loans of vintage TV equipment for screen and stage etc.
An incomplete history of London’s television studios
Photos and oral history relating to London’s television studios through the ages.
ORBEM (Old BBC Radio Broadcasting Equipment and Memories)
Although this website is primarily focused on radio and sound focused, it also offers valuable insights into television – see, for example, Colin Berwick’s reminiscences)
Transdiffusion
One of the most detailed websites currently available on various aspects of television history, including some rich accounts of technology and engineering history. In this respect, Roddy Buxton’s article on ATV at Elstree is a particular strength.
Audiowise – Ted Scott
The personal website of Ted Scott, an ex-ATV television audio engineer. Includes some highly detailed accounts of television production at Elstree.
Pebble Mill
Vanessa Jackson’s website about the history of BBC Pebble Mill studios, including video reminiscences from former Pebble Mill staff.
The Elstree Project
An ongoing oral history project, run by Howard Berry of the University of Hertfordshire, which aims to “showcase the rich and fascinating history of the various film and television studios which have existed in Elstree and Borehamwood”.
History Project – BECTU
A substantial effort to document the history of television through numerous interviews, many of which offer “behind the scenes” insights into the technologies behind television production.
BBC Research and Development
This website includes hundreds of historical research publications (stretching back to 1940s). An important start towards digitising the written archives of the BBC.