Image: David Butler, R. B. McCallum and Chester Wilmot at Alexandra Palace, February 1950.
The first time that General Election results were reported on television was on 23 February 1950. The results programme started at 10.45 and ran until 1am, much later than the usual television service, which habitually finished just after 10.30 each night. The election programme was the work of Grace Wyndham Goldie, but BBC concerns about impartiality meant that its scope was restricted, and there was no television coverage of the preceding campaign.
The programme was presented by Richard Dimbleby. Commentary was provided by R B McCallum, David Butler and Chester Wilmot, and the results were illustrated with diagrams and maps. Analysis of the results was permitted but political forecasting was forbidden. Added interest was provided by an outside broadcast from Trafalgar Square, where crowds gathered to watch the latest returns projected on a huge screen.
The audience for the 1950 election programme was not large as only 350,000 television licences were held. However the Coronation of 1953 led to a huge increase in the number of sets in the country and television became a powerful medium, appreciated by politicians and public alike. Subsequent elections built on the pioneering work of 1950, so today election campaigns and results are covered in depth on all platforms.
Further reading
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100 Voices: Elections
The BBC's role in the events that changed the nation, told by its key players.
February anniversaries
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Blue Peter 5000th edition
1 February 2018 -
Face to Face
4 February 1959 -
First TV Sports commentary
4 February 1937 -
The Wombles
5 February 1973 -
A Night of Comic Relief
5 February 1988 -
Greenwich Time Signal - the 'pips'
5 February 1924 -
Grange Hill
8 February 1978 -
BBC Three is launched
9 February 2003 -
Doomwatch
9 February 1970 -
Bagpuss
12 February 1974 -
The EBU - European Broadcasting Union formed
12 February 1950 -
Potter's Wheel Interlude
16 February 1953 -
Start of Six-Five Special
16 February 1957 -
The Apprentice
16 February 2005 -
Hospital Watch
17 February 1986 -
Elizabeth R
17 February 1971 -
One Man and His Dog
17 February 1976 -
Antiques Roadshow
18 February 1979 -
Tonight launched
18 February 1957 -
Wogan
18 February 1985 -
EastEnders first episode
19 February 1985 -
Open All Hours
20 February 1976 -
First national broadcast of prices for farmers
20 February 1925 -
General Election results televised for the first time
23 February 1950 -
Civilisation
23 February 1969 -
Yes Minister
25 February 1980 -
Mr Benn
25 February 1971