A brief history of Music on TV...

Music on Television.........

The way we watch music on TV has changed dramatically over the years, as technology has advanced, viewing habits have changed. We can access music from many different places, at any time and more than that we can decide which era, genre, artist, song we want to see.

This blog will attempt to guide you through a brief history of music on television and analyse the different codes and conventions of the genre(s).

In 1952 The Hit Parade was launched and the songs were not performed by the original artists but by a group of resident singers, led by Petula Clark. You might no Petula Clark for singing this song,.......


In 1955, Off the Record was launched, a programme about music which included, pop news, behind the scenes footage and interviews.


From 1955 onwards, music became popular on children's TV shows, including Blue Peter, which many of you will know and Crackerjack.....



1955-67 Sunday Night at the London Palladium



....presented originally by Bruce Forsyth
and including a game called 'Beat The Clock'
- later to grow into the 'Generation Game'.

Often featured pop stars of the time. Biggest audience was for Cliff Richard and the Shadows in 1960 (over 20 million viewers)

The term 'Beatlemania' was invented by the press after the group's performance here in October 1963 when hundreds of screaming girls gathered outside the theatre.

1957 (February) - BBC -'Six-Five-Special'

..... ended a period of 'toddler truce' between 6-7 p.m. Aimed at young people for the first time, including live music and a live audience.


In 19589 came Juke box Jury, the idea was to judge a contemporary song, the format continuesd for many years on radio and children's TV.
Do you recognise anyone in this clip? What are people doing on this panel show that you would very rarely see on similiar shows today?


1963 (August) - ITV - 'Ready Steady Go'
.... started as a local London show but, in 1964, became national.



1963 - Example of 'The Royal Variety Show'

This show began in 1912 as a way of raising money for the 'entertainment artistes benevolent fund'. Top artists were invited to entertain the Royal Family.

On November 4th 1963, The Beatles became popular with all age groups after their appearance.......