Alexandra Palace: 60 years ago, today

TODAY at 19:30 hrs, 60 years ago, the first ever British television news broadcast was aired. From a site not far from us. From inside our charitable trust, Alexandra Palace.

This milestone is part of the rationale for the restoration of the first- or studio- floor of the South East wing.

The main reason for refurbishment is the beginning – 18 years earlier – of regular, scheduled broadcasts in "high-definition". That was "HD" for the 1930s: 405 lines, versus the earlier transmission of the 1936 Berlin summer Olympics at 180 lines. These compare with today's 1,080 lines and tomorrow's 2,160 lines (AKA 4K).

The first floor contained Studio A (Marconi-EMI equipment) and Studio B. For three months from November 1936, Studio B was known as The Baird Studio, that used John Logie Baird's Intermediate Film Technique.

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Here is The Telegraph's article, BBC television news celebrates its 60th birthday

This morning, Michelle Husain interviewed newsreader Richard Baker on the Today programme (Radio 4).

A little over two years ago, our Trust Board formally adopted the goal of UNESCO World Heritage for our South East wing, which is an important part of Haringey Council's (successful) Heritage Lottery Fund bid. This should see the whole east side of our building – including the Victorian Theatre – dramatically improved.

Councillor (Highgate Ward)

Liberal Democrat Party