Writing About The History Of A British Television Programme

Hi All! First time post, so thanks for reading!

I'm about to start a book project writing about the history of a British television programme, and I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of where I can get copies of previously aired British television programmes?

It is proving difficult to get hold of the original broadcast version of the programme!

Many thanks to anyone that can help!

Hi there.

People would be more likely to be able to help you if they knew what the programme you were looking for is, as that determines what the best move for you is in acquiring it.

At the moment, we have no idea if it was something from 10 years ago or 50 years ago or whether it’s ever been commercially released or even if any copies are likely to exist.

First of all - good luck with your writing. Hope you find it enjoyable and rewarding.

Second - it would help to know what the programme was - or if you don't want to say yet, what the genre was, and when it was originally broadcast and by which broadcaster. It may help cut out time spent on a fruitless search in the archives.

Reason is that a lot of archive programmes were wiped by both BBC and ITV in the 60's and 70's. Live programmes that weren't of historical archiving value or could be sold overseas were not recorded, and a lot of other programming even if they were recorded were erased and the vt reused for another programme.

Some editions (or parts of) may turn up on You Tube, but that's only because they were recorded 'off air' by a private collector at the time.

And if it was made by TVS, well....

There is also the danger that the programme in question may have acquired a bad reputation or have been mired in controversy. Shows such as "The Black and White Minstrel Show" and "Love Thy Neighbour" come to mind.

Another show that has a controversial story is "Big Breadwinner Hogg" starring Peter Egan which can be claimed to to be the 60's equivalent of "Gangs Of London"

Which programme are you looking for?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Breadwinner_Hog