The Radio Times

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

  TV Times

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.

  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

 BBC Genome project, details can be found here.

  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