The First Edition September 1923
First Published on the 28nd September 1923, the Radio Times
contained schedules for BBC radio programmes, there was a
requirement for this because newspapers at the time refused to
print radio listings, apprehensive that interest in this new medium called
'the wireless' would increase and as a consequence affect their
circulation.
Before 1991, when there was deregulation of television listings,the
Radio Times only printed programme information for BBC radio and
television channels. Athe the same time , the
independent television's published magazine, only contained television
programme
listings for commercial television, which from 1982 also included the
new fledgling Channel 4?
Today both publications carry listings for all major terrestrial ,cable and
satellite television channels in the United Kingdom, and they have been
joined by a plethora of other magazines, from other independent
publishers.
Radio Times 23rd October 1936
Radio Times 15th March 1937
Radio Times 7th October 1938
In recent years there was chorus of disapproval from these other
listings magazines stating that the Radio Times was being advertised on
the BBC (a non commercial broadcaster) and arguing that it gave
unreasonable sales advantage to the publication.
The other publishers took the matter to court, and the outcome was
that as the Radio Times had to cease ties with the BBC, however it
would be allowed to be promoted by the organisation on the proviso
only a still picture of the cover was shown, and that the clear
disclaimer "Other television listings magazines are available" be given.
More recently, advertisements for the publication had become
infrequent on the Beeb, and all BBC magazines, including the Radio
Times, have not been advertised on BBC television and radio channels
since 2005, following a commercial review by the Broadcaster.
Don't forget to pay your Wireless licence ...a bargain at £1 a year
Radio Times 4th September 1939
Radio Times 22nd December 1940
Arguably, the Radio Times still is regarded as the most complete
printed resource of UK broadcaster listings, carrying more Radio and
Television scheduals
than any of its competitors, and its press
deadline is obeyed by all the major broadcasters as their 'cut off' time
for releasing their schedules.
Published every Tuesday it carries listings for the following Saturday
through to Friday before 1960, the issues ran Sunday to Saturday; a
similar change around that time took place at the TV Times.
After the Christmas of 1969, both the Radio and TV Times published a
double-sized issue containing listings for two weeks of programmes.
over the Christmas and New Year period
Radio Times 29th September 1946
Radio Times 21st December 1946
Radio Times 22nd December 1956
Radio Times 20th December 1959
Radio Times 26th February 1960
Radio Times 21st December 1963
Radio Times 18th April 1964
Like the TV Times, it used to publish several different regional versions,
adopting the old ITV regional names, e.g. , Granada for the North West.
As there are now less defined regions, they print less variations and
have merged several areas. A recent example of this is when the
Midlands and London/Anglia versions merged into one in August 2007.
All copies carry listing for both Radio and Television for overlapping
regions.
Radio Times listings for publications between 1923 and 2009 can be
found via the
Radio Times 13th February 1965
Radio Times 25th December 1965
Radio Times 1st October 1966
Radio Times 5th November 1966
Radio Times 26th November 1966
Radio Times 15th April 1967
Radio Times 2nd September 1967
Radio Times 30th September 1967
Radio Times 21st December 1968
Radio Times 25th January 1969
Radio Times 1st March 1969
Radio Times 8th March 1969
Radio Times 6th March 1970
Radio Times 14th March 1970
Radio Times 13th March 1971
Radio Times 24th April 1971
Radio Times 15th December 1973
Radio Times 12th November 1977
Radio Times 24th December 1977
Radio Times 18th November 1978
Radio Times 22nd December 1979