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Entertaining the UK

'Entertain': the third part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's mission. Drawing on unique interviews from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Oral History Collection, this collections explores the varied landscape of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ broadcast entertainment, and the men and women behind the scenes and in front of the camera and microphone who made it happen, often facing a diverse array of challenges.

It ranges right across the genres: from Saturday night 'shiny floor' entertainment which drew the nation together, to natural history programmes that both educated and entertained at one and the same time, and on to political satire, sitcoms, drama and music. Enjoy – and be entertained!

Curated by Professor Jamie Medhurst, Aberystwyth University; Dr Siân Nicholas, Aberystwyth University; Dr Anthony McNicholas, University of Westminster; Professor Richard Haynes, University of Stirling, under the aegis of Professor David Hendy and Dr Alban Webb, University of Sussex.

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday nights have always been about family viewing and relaxation, a night off after a hard working week.
  • Comedy and Satire

    The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has a long and proud history of radio and television comedy, many of which broke new ground - and rattled politicians.
  • Natural History

    More than any other form of programming, Natural History has an innate ability to inform, educate, and entertain, making it the ideal genre for a public service broadcaster.
  • EastEnders

    Launched in February 1985, Eastenders has become one of the most popular programmes in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One schedule. With its mix of strong characters and gritty storylines, the serial has entertained the nation for over 35 years.
  • Popular Drama

    Fantasy, costume drama, science fiction, realist plays... popular drama has always been a key part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's schedules and continues to play a significant part in the Corporation's output today.
  • Sports

    England’s World Cup triumph in 1966 continues to hold the record for the UK’s largest television audience. This followed two decades of innovation in the coverage of sport by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s Outside Broadcasting Department.
  • Events that bind the Nation

    From local to global events, from ceremonial to sports, over the past hundred years ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ radio and television coverage has been the means of binding the nation together as a single audience.
  • Music

    From Elgar to Eurovision, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has provided an eclectic mix of musical entertainment since the earliest days of broadcasting. Although jazz wasn’t always welcome on the airwaves.
  • Entertaining the Nations

    In his 1924 book, Broadcast over Britain, John Reith spelt out his vision for the way in which broadcasting would ‘make the nation as one man’. But what nation?
  • From working class east London, via Asia, Nigeria and Manchester, five women comedians explore their stories of bringing comedy to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. The highs, the lows, and all the funny bits in between.
  • Share Your Memories

    Tell us how the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has entertained you over the years. Do the comedy classics such as Morecambe and Wise and the Two Ronnies tigger happy memories? How have the regular TV ‘soaps’ held your attention over the years, and who would you like to see entertaining the UK over the next 100 years?
  • Background to the Project

    Emeritus Professor David Hendy of the University of Sussex explains how the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Oral History Collection is used in the Voices of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ project, and Frank Gillard founder of the original collection explores its beginnings.

Editorial Note

The Entertaining the UK collection contains excerpts and programmes from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ services at specific moments in time. The material should be viewed in this context and with the understanding that it reflects the attitudes and standards of that period – not those of today.

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