1950 Aug 27

First cross-Channel broadcast

UK viewers saw special OB from Calais.  (Not seen in France)

1953 Jun 2

Coronation of Elizabeth II

Seen live in Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, as well as UK

1954 Jun 6

First Eurovision exchange

First in a series of inaugural programmes. The participating countries were Britain, Belgium, Denmark, France, W. Germany, Italy,  Netherlands and Switzerland. Opening broadcast was message from Pope Pius XII in Rome

1957 Mar 3

Eurovision Song Contest

From Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This was the 2nd of these annual contests, but the 1st one that Britain competed in

1958 Jun

World Cup Football

Live from Sweden

1958 Oct

Funeral of Pope Pius XII

Live from Rome

1958 Nov 11

Coronation of Pope John XXIII

Live from Rome

1959

Part of Saltzburg Festival

1959 Jun

Eurovision 5th anniversary

Gala programme with contribution from UK

1959 Aug 31

Eisenhower’s visit to Britain

Eisenhower’s meeting with Macmillan seen in Europe

1960 Aug-Sep

Olympic Games, Rome

First live summer Olympic coverage in UK (apart from London Olympics, 1948, broadcast to London area)

1961 Feb 15

Total solar eclipse

1st eclipse shown in Britain. Live from France, Italy, Yugoslavia

1961 Apr 14

Yuri Gagarin in Moscow

First spaceman received by Soviet leadership in Moscow. BBC commentator: Richard Dimbleby. First live broadcast from Russia seen in Britain

1961 May 1

May Day Parades, Moscow

Seen live by BBC viewers

1961 Jun 10

Trooping the Colour, London

Royal parade seen in USSR in return for the Gagarin pictures. 1st live transmission London > USSR

1963 Nov 25

Funeral of President Kennedy

For 1st time, the East European Intervision joined with Eurovision to relay part of the funeral

1964 Apr 20

BBC2 Opening Night

BBC2’s aborted opening night schedule was due to be seen in its entirety by some Eurovision networks. BBC2 Opening >>

1965 Jan 30

Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill

1966 Jul

World Cup football, England

1967 Aug 28

International Star Parade

Part of German TV’s first colour programme was screened by BBC2

1967 Oct

Start of colour TV in France shown by BBC2

1968

British sports events

Many events offered in colour for first time to Eurovision network, including Rugby union, Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, professional tennis

1968 Apr 22

Eurovision Song Contest

From London. 1st contest in colour. Seen in colour in UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Holland, Sweden. UK audience of 23.5m viewers.

1968 May 18

FA Cup Final, London

Shown in colour by 6 Eurovision countries, and in b/w only by 5 others

1968 May 29

European Cup Final, Wembley

Man U. v Benfica. Seen extensively in Europe

©