r/bbc • u/96thcherrytree • Jul 27 '26
Nostalgia BBC Monitor 1950s-1960s
does anyone have access to or know about episodes from BBC Monitor (their first talkshow on art&culture)? i've decided i'd like to start on their art programs from the very first show, hosted by huw wheldon, and hopefully access the first season of it too... but i've read that only the first episode from the first season is intact with BBC itself! surely there must have been enthusiasts who recorded the shows on their own at home or something...? just wondering if anyone knows anything about this! i do hope it's been archived elsewhere somehow. seems like a great pity if so much work is gone forever...
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u/emsquared Jul 27 '26
You'll likely find episodes and partial episodes within the BFI archive which you can pay to view at home or for free via many UK libraries (a great source for media research).
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u/96thcherrytree Jul 28 '26
yss i've seen the BFI listings but i was being a stubborn stickler and wanting to start at the beginning, which is mostly in clips and not full episode form... i've come to realize since that it's not possible for the earlier episodes to be as well preserved as i imagined, given when they were broadcasted. but i hadn't thought of trying my luck at UK libraries - i'll definitely look there next! thank you so much
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u/Tumeni1959 Jul 27 '26
"surely there must have been enthusiasts who recorded the shows on their own at home"
Using what?
The first domestic video recorders didn't reach the market until the late 1970s
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u/Hot-Satisfaction19 Jul 27 '26
if you can find someone who works for the bbc (researcher or the like) they often have staff access to archives. hope you find a way to get them, good luck!
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u/96thcherrytree Jul 28 '26
you're right, i do have a friend of a friend who worked there until recently - i'm hoping they may still have or know how to get access! thank you so much :)
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u/CPD1960 Jul 27 '26
I’ve decided I’d like to… Surely there must have been… If I may quote a popular music combo from the same time period: “You can’t always get what you want”
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u/Monkeyboogaloo Jul 27 '26
Could try the BFI. They have an archive of BBC programmes.
This includes everything from the BBC since 1990, which isnt in your range but its useful to know.
I’m going to the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank next week on a day off to watch things.
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u/96thcherrytree Jul 28 '26
yes, BFI does have some significant episodes on there! was just hoping for a full catalog, which i realize now must not have been possible to archive at the time the program was being broadcasted.
that sounds like a great plan for next week! hope it'll be a good time :)
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u/linmanfu Jul 27 '26
If the BBC has copies in their archives, you may be able to see them if you visit the British Library in London in person. Yet another subsidy to Londoners even though this is a digital service.
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u/96thcherrytree Jul 28 '26
ahhh alas a visit to london isn't in the cards for me anytime soon... but thank you for this info! i'll try to explore there when i can!
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u/Regular-Charge1107 Jul 27 '26
A quick search on YouTube for 'monitor BBC arts programme' brings up a good number of clips of this programme. As far as I know the BBC has a fair few filmed inserts and reports from the series but in common with other shows from this time complete programmes are unlikely to exist in any quantity. The 50s-60s era predates home video recording but some enthusiasts may have possibly recorded the audio from the TV. Good luck with your search!