Daily News

History UK News 1st November 2022

BBC Celebrates
100 Years
What was the first television programme for
children on the BBC?

• The first children’s programme was aired on

9th June 1946. It was called ‘For the Children’.
The show featured a puppet character called
‘Hank the Mule’.

• Unlike television today, children had to wait a

whole month for the next programme.

Photo: BBC Television Centre.

The BBC is celebrating 100 years. To celebrate
the centenary they have been airing a series
of special programmes and tributes to the
organisation.
The BBC was formed on 18th October 1922 by
a group of radio experts. Around a month later,
on 14th November, the BBC started regular radio
broadcasts.
At the end of the year, a man called John
Reith took charge of the BBC. He decided that the
company should be run on three principles. To
inform, educate and entertain. These are still the
principles by which the BBC is run today.
The schedule at first was filled with news,
talks, music and drama. However, this was only
for a few hours every day.
In 1936 the BBC began broadcasting
television shows. The BBC delivered its
programmes from Alexandra Palace in London.
The programmes featured sports, drama and
cartoons. Only stopping for a brief period during
the Second World War, the BBC has broadcasted
television ever since.
During the last 100 years, the BBC has
made countless radio and TV programmes that
have entertained the nation. These include
‘Doctor Who’, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Blue
Peter’. They have also aired important national
occasions such as the coronation of Elizabeth
II in 1953.
To celebrate the anniversary, the BBC has
been airing special programmes. These included
a very special edition of ‘The Repair Shop’ which
included King Charles III.
A new competition has also been launched.
It’s called 15 Seconds of Fame. The winners
of the competition will appear briefly as
background actors in one of their favourite
shows. This could be in ‘Eastenders’, ‘Casualty’
or even ‘Doctor Who’!
So, after 100 years much has changed on
the BBC. What do you think it will look like in
another 100 years?
Glossary
mule A cross between a horse and a
donkey.
centenary 100-year anniversary of an
event.
broadcast To show a programme on
television or radio.
coronation A ceremony where a monarch
is crowned.

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 Questions
1. When did the BBC first begin regularly broadcasting radio programmes?


2. Look at this sentence: To inform, educate and entertain. What is meant by the word
‘inform’?





3. Do you think the BBC has changed since it was first founded? Explain your answer.





4. Why do you think the competition is called 15 seconds of fame?





5. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
The BBC started broadcasting television in 1922.
The BBC broadcast the coronation of Elizabeth II.
The BBC started broadcasting children’s television programmes in 1999.
The BBC is 150 years old.

6. Summarise the key information from the article in 15 words or fewer.





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 Answers
1. When did the BBC first begin regularly broadcasting radio programmes?

14th November 1922

2. Look at this sentence: To inform, educate and entertain. What is meant by the word
‘inform’?

Accept any reasonable answer which suggests that inform means to give someone
information, e.g. I think inform means to tell someone some facts.

3. Do you think the BBC has changed since it was first founded? Explain your answer.

Accept any reasonable answer with an explanation, e.g. I think the BBC has changed a
lot because it used to only be on the radio for a few hours a day and now you can watch
television all the time.

4. Why do you think the competition is called 15 seconds of fame?

Accept any reasonable answer that suggests you won’t be on the screen very long, e.g, I
think because you are just in the background you will only be seen for a few seconds on
television.

5. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
The BBC started broadcasting television in 1922. 
The BBC broadcast the coronation of Elizabeth II. 
The BBC started broadcasting children’s television programmes in 1999. 
The BBC is 150 years old. 


6. Summarise the key information from the article in 15 words or fewer.

Accept any reasonable answer which summarises the key information in the article in 15
words or fewer, e.g. The BBC is celebrating 100 years of broadcasting.

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