Radio Newsreel
Encyclopedia
Radio Newsreel was a news programme produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation between 1940 and 1988. The programme, which eventually had four 15-minute international editions as well as a nightly 30-minute domestic version ("The News and Radio Newsreel"), broadcast in the BBC Light Programme
, was composed of taped dispatches from correspondents in the field, live and recorded actuality and such other features, borrowed from the format of the film newsreel
, as interviews with people currently in the news.
An example of the programme's early content is the coverage of Captain George Robinson's "Adventure in a lifeboat adrift in the Atlantic", broadcast on 19 August 1942.
The programme was broadcast in the United Kingdom at 19.00 each evening; transmission to North America was scheduled for 3.30 GMT, which was 10:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time and 7:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.
Radio Newsreel was created by Norman Collins
, who had worked as the head of the BBC General Forces Programme
and the BBC Light Programme.. It was first broadcast as part of the Overseas Service of the BBC, but was transferred to the Light Programme in November 1947.. In 1953, the programme had a domestic audience of over 4 million listeners. On 3 April 1970, it was broadcast in the UK for the last time, but it continued to be broadcast on the BBC World Service
for a further 18 years.
Outside the United Kingdom, the programme was also carried weekly on the Mutual Broadcasting System
in the United States during World War II
and as part of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
's radio programming in the 1970s. Until 1987, American Public Radio also carried the programme in the United States.
The programme introductory title music was "Imperial Echoes
" by Arnold Safroni.
Note: for a date range such as 1940 - 1988, it can be misleading to use "tape" as a synonym for "record". In this case, a reader might
assume that the BBC had what are now widely recognized as "tape recorders" in 1940. The only such recorders commercially available at that time were made by AEG (Germany)and used extensively by the Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft. They were not classified technology, but were essentially unknown in other countries until after Germany's surrender in May, 1945. Prior to the adoption of audio "tape recording", broadcasters in various countries recorded on film (optical and engraved), disks, and magnetic wire and steel 'band' or 'ribbon' . Some could have even used wax cylinder systems, such as then out of date home recording phonographs and their derivative office recording systems such as the Ediphone. Search terms: Philips-Miller, Magnetophon, Telegraphone, electrical transcription,
E.R.P.I., Dead Media Project, et al.
BBC Light Programme
The Light Programme was a BBC radio station which broadcast mainstream light entertainment and music from 1945 until 1967, when it was rebranded as BBC Radio 2...
, was composed of taped dispatches from correspondents in the field, live and recorded actuality and such other features, borrowed from the format of the film newsreel
Newsreel
A newsreel was a form of short documentary film prevalent in the first half of the 20th century, regularly released in a public presentation place and containing filmed news stories and items of topical interest. It was a source of news, current affairs and entertainment for millions of moviegoers...
, as interviews with people currently in the news.
An example of the programme's early content is the coverage of Captain George Robinson's "Adventure in a lifeboat adrift in the Atlantic", broadcast on 19 August 1942.
The programme was broadcast in the United Kingdom at 19.00 each evening; transmission to North America was scheduled for 3.30 GMT, which was 10:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time and 7:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.
Radio Newsreel was created by Norman Collins
Norman Collins
Norman Collins was a British writer, and later a radio and television executive, who became one of the major figures behind the establishment of the Independent Television network in the UK...
, who had worked as the head of the BBC General Forces Programme
BBC General Forces Programme
The BBC General Forces Programme was a BBC radio station from 27 February 1944 until 31 December 1946.-Foundation:Upon the outbreak of World War II, the BBC closed the existing BBC National Programme and BBC Regional Programme, combining the two to form a single channel known as the BBC Home...
and the BBC Light Programme.. It was first broadcast as part of the Overseas Service of the BBC, but was transferred to the Light Programme in November 1947.. In 1953, the programme had a domestic audience of over 4 million listeners. On 3 April 1970, it was broadcast in the UK for the last time, but it continued to be broadcast on the BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
for a further 18 years.
Outside the United Kingdom, the programme was also carried weekly on the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
in the United States during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and as part of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's radio programming in the 1970s. Until 1987, American Public Radio also carried the programme in the United States.
The programme introductory title music was "Imperial Echoes
Imperial Echoes
Imperial Echoes is the title a piece for solo piano by Arnold Safroni that was later adapted as a military march and became well-known through its frequent use on BBC radio during the Second World War and beyond.-Original composition:...
" by Arnold Safroni.
Note: for a date range such as 1940 - 1988, it can be misleading to use "tape" as a synonym for "record". In this case, a reader might
assume that the BBC had what are now widely recognized as "tape recorders" in 1940. The only such recorders commercially available at that time were made by AEG (Germany)and used extensively by the Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft. They were not classified technology, but were essentially unknown in other countries until after Germany's surrender in May, 1945. Prior to the adoption of audio "tape recording", broadcasters in various countries recorded on film (optical and engraved), disks, and magnetic wire and steel 'band' or 'ribbon' . Some could have even used wax cylinder systems, such as then out of date home recording phonographs and their derivative office recording systems such as the Ediphone. Search terms: Philips-Miller, Magnetophon, Telegraphone, electrical transcription,
E.R.P.I., Dead Media Project, et al.