BBC Light Programme
Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox broadcasting network The BBC Light Programme was a national radio station which broadcast chiefly mainstream light entertainment and light music from 1945 until 1967, when it was replaced by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.<ref name=bcglightprogramme>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It opened on 29 July 1945, taking over the long wave frequency which had earlier been used<ref name=radiorewind>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=dafyddhancock/> – prior to the outbreak of the Second World War on 1 September 1939 – by the BBC National Programme.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The service was intended as a domestic replacement for the wartime BBC General Forces Programme which had gained many civilian listeners in Britain as well as members of the British Armed Forces.<ref name=dafyddhancock>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=engineeringdev/>
HistoryEdit
The long wave signal on 200 kHz / 1500 metres was transmitted from Droitwich in the English Midlands<ref name=frequencyfinder/> (as it still is today for BBC Radio 4, although adjusted slightly to 198 kHz / 1515 metres from 1 February 1988)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and gave fairly good coverage of most of the United Kingdom, although a number of low-power medium wave transmitters (using 1215 kHz / 247 metres) were added later to fill in local blank spots.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=engineeringdev>Template:Cite report</ref> Over the course of the 1950s and 1960s, the Light Programme (along with the BBC's two other national stations – the BBC Home Service and the BBC Third Programme) gradually became available on what was known at the time as VHF, as the BBC developed a network of local FM transmitters.<ref name=engineeringdev/>
From its first day of broadcasting in 1945 until Monday 2 September 1957, the Light Programme would be on the air from 9:00 am until midnight each day, apart from Sundays when it would come on the air at 8:00 am until 11:00 pm.<ref name=asabriggs>Template:Cite book</ref>
There was, however, a period of a year when the Light Programme was forced to end its broadcasting day one hour earlier at 11:00 pm. This commenced in mid-February 1947 as an effect from the appalling winter of 1946–1947 which saw a fuel shortage in the country with the government enforcing electricity saving measures, one of which was losing one hour of broadcasting per day from the Light Programme.<ref name=johncain/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Even after the fuel shortage had ended by spring 1947, the 11:00 pm closedown each night continued as BBC Radio found itself in financial problems and needed to save money. The midnight closedown of the Light Programme resumed one year later from Sunday 11 April 1948.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The long-running soap opera The Archers was first heard nationally on the Light Programme on New Year's Day 1951,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> although a week-long pilot version had been broadcast on the Midlands Home Service in 1950.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
From Monday 2 September 1957, Template:Citation needed the Light Programme's broadcasting hours would start to increase, with a new early morning start time of 7:00 am until midnight, later moving to 6:30 am<ref name=newlookinradio>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> from Monday 29 September 1958.Template:Citation needed
In 1964, broadcasting hours were increased even more, with a new morning start time of 5:30 am from Monday 31 August. Up until September 1964, the Light Programme would always end its broadcasting day at midnight; however this changed on Sunday 27 September 1964, when a new closedown time of 2:02 am was introduced.<ref name=bbcradio1964/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=schedule195709>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=newlookinradio/>
The Light Programme closed down for the last time at 2:03 am on Saturday 30 September 1967.<ref name=schedule196709>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=frequencyfinder>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At 5:30 am, it was replaced by BBC Radio 2 and at 7:00 am by BBC Radio 1 on medium wave.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=frequencyfinder/>
ProgrammingEdit
Some programmes broadcast from the Light Programme still continue today, such as Junior Choice,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Archers,<ref name=johncain/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Pick of the Pops,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Desert Island Discs<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Woman's Hour.<ref name=johncain/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other programmes included: Template:Div col
- The Al Read Show<ref name=lightprogrammecomedy>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Appointment with Fear<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=schedule195709/>
- The Archers (1951–1967)<ref name=bbcradio1964/><ref name=johncain/><ref name=newlookinradio/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- The Beatles Invite You to Take a Ticket to Ride (1965)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=thebeatles/>
- Beyond Our Ken<ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Billy Cotton Band Show<ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Breakfast Special<ref name=schedule196709/>
- The Clitheroe Kid<ref name=bcglightprogramme/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Dick Barton – Special Agent<ref name=johncain>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Does the Team Think?<ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Desert Island Discs<ref name=simonjpotter2022/> (1945–1946)
- Easy Beat (1960–1967)<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/><ref name=demise>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Educating Archie<ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Family Favourites<ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/> (1945–1967)
- Friday Night Is Music Night<ref name=johncain/><ref name=schedule196709/> (1953–1967)
- From Us to You<ref name=demise/> (1964)
- The Goon Show Template:Small<ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Hancock's Half Hour<ref name=bcglightprogramme/><ref name=johncain/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Have a Go!<ref name=johncain/><ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Housewives' Choice<ref name=bbcradio1964>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=johncain/><ref name=asabriggs/>
- Ignorance is Bliss<ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- It's That Man Again Template:Small<ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Journey into Space (1953–1958)<ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightdrama/>
- Junior Choice (1954–1967)<ref name=lightprogrammemusic>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Life with the Lyons<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Listen with Mother<ref name=johncain/><ref name=schedule195709/> (1950–1964)
- Meet the Huggetts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Movie-Go-Round<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Midday Spin<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Mrs Dale's Diary (1948–1967)<ref name=bbcradio1964/><ref name=johncain/><ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Much Binding in the Marsh<ref name=johncain/><ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Music While You Work<ref name=patternofsound>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=schedule196709/>
- The Navy Lark<ref name=bcglightprogramme/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/>
- Orbiter X<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Pick of the Pops (1955–1967)<ref name=johncain/><ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Parade of the Pops<ref name=demise/> (1960–1967)
- Paul Temple<ref name=lightdrama>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- The Public Ear<ref name=thebeatles>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Pop Go the Beatles (1963)<ref name=thebeatles/>
- Radio Newsreel<ref name=newlookinradio/><ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Ray's a Laugh<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Richard Attenborough's Record Rendezvous<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Riders of the Range<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Round the Horne (1965–1967)<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Roundabout<ref name=bbcradio1964/><ref name=schedule196709/>
- Saturday Club (1957–1967)<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Shadow of Sumuru<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- The Showband Show<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Side by Side<ref name=demise/>
- Sing Something Simple (1959–1967)<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- The Sunday Half-Hour<ref name=1june52/> (1945–1967)
- The Slide<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Sports Report<ref name=asabriggs/>
- Take It from Here<ref name=asabriggs/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Teenager's Turn – Here We Go<ref name=demise/>
- Top Gear (1964–1967; a music show unrelated to the car franchise)
- Variety Bandbox<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Waterlogged Spa<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Welsh Rarebit<ref name=asabriggs/>
- Woman's Hour (1946–1967)<ref name=bbcradio1964/><ref name=newlookinradio/><ref name=asabriggs/>
- Workers' Playtime Template:Small<ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammecomedy/><ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Your Hundred Best Tunes<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
PresentersEdit
- Barry Alldis<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Marjorie Anderson<ref name=announcers/>
- Richard Attenborough<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Tony Blackburn<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Tim Brinton<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Michael Brooke<ref name=announcers/>
- Desmond Carrington<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Sam Costa<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Bill Crozier<ref name=2way>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Alan Dell<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Robert Dougall<ref name=1june52>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- David Dunhill<ref name=announcers/>
- John Dunn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Don Durbridge<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Simon Dee<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Franklin Engelmann<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/><ref name=announcers/>
- Peter Fettes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Alan Freeman<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Keith Fordyce<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Tim Gudgin<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Peter Haigh<ref name=patternofsound/>
- Colin Hamilton<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- David Hamilton<ref name=schedule196709/>
- Paul Hollingdale<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- David Jacobs<ref name=simonjpotter2022>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Brian Matthew<ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Jean Metcalfe<ref name=simonjpotter2022/><ref name=lightprogrammemusic/><ref name=announcers/><ref name=2way/>
- Sandy MacPherson<ref name=radiorewind/><ref name=lightprogrammemusic/>
- Roger Moffat<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=demise/>
- Ray Moore<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Pete Murray<ref name=bbcradio1964/><ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Annie Nightingale<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ray Orchard<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Robin Richmond<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Phillip Slessor<ref name=announcers/>
- Douglas Smith<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ken Sykora<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- David Symonds<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- John Webster<ref name=announcers>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Roy Williams<ref name=announcers/>
- Bruce Wyndham<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Terry Wogan<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>
- Jimmy Young<ref name=simonjpotter2022/>