29 September 2006 is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the BBC’s Third Programme, now known as Radio 3. The station is celebrating this anniversary with live concerts and specially commissioned programmes. From the Radio 3 website you can download a PDF file of the Radio Times containing the first week’s programmes, and there are some audio files and transcripts of early broadcasts.
on Sep 29th, 2006 at 21:42
What a great piece of graphic design (above) that is! Powerful as well as illustrative.
I can still picture those other station names on the illuminated dial — Sottens, Beromunster, Athlone, Veronica (oops no, that one came much later).
on Sep 29th, 2006 at 22:02
Sounds like post war life wasn’t much fun - e.g. on 1st October the Light Programme didn’t start until 9:00am and by 10:00am they were really letting their hair down with ‘Great Moments In Parliament’ - Repeal of the Corn Laws Debate, 1846. Wow…
on Sep 30th, 2006 at 02:53
Radio 3 has always been 60 years old!
on Oct 1st, 2006 at 09:22
Test transmissions for the Third took place in Nightingale Square, that’s the one in Balham presumably. (Some people said they heard a berkley singing there). But Nightingale Square isn’t that big an area and it’s residential. Anyone know what sort of aerial was used? A dipole strung on the roof belonging to a BBC engineer who lived there?