Twenty-four hours – an imaginary but perfectly possible day in the operation of the then world’s largest broadcasting organisation (1959/1960).

It shows glimpses of the vast activity behind the radio and television programs. There is a cast of 1200, some famous, most unknown, and locations vary from the complications of a television studio during a spectacular variety show (“The B;ack and White Minstrel Show”) and a drama production (“Mother Courage”) to a lonely coast where a BBC news correspondent is reporting of the search for a missing aircraft. There is no commentary or background music, simply the ordinary announcements, program music and conversation of people on the job.

The last segment of the film is in colour: – “TV colour tests”.

The film won an award: The British Film Academy Award – “Best Specialised Film of 1959”).

The programme can be found on YouTube under the APTS Archive or just search for “This is the BBC”

Here is a version of the film: it has been prepared for web display.

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