A History of the BBC in 100 Blog Posts: 1966.

The 1966 FIFA Men's World Cup was held in England, and the BBC provided extensive coverage of the event. The tournament marked a historic moment for the corporation, who invested in new technology, including outside broadcast units and colour cameras, to achieve this feat (see the Pathe report below). The network broadcast all 32 matches of the World Cup live and included pre- and post-match analysis and features.

The BBC introduced new features during the coverage, such as slow-motion replays, instant analysis, and expert commentary. The network's team of commentators included renowned broadcasters such as Kenneth Wolstenholme and David Coleman, who provided insightful and engaging coverage of the tournament. Wolstenholme's famous commentary during the final match between England and West Germany, "They think it's all over...it is now!", has become a classic moment in sports broadcasting.

The final was seen by an estimated 32.3 million people in the UK, making it one of the most-watched television events in British history. England won the match 4-2 after extra time, and the victory was a significant moment in the history of soccer in England. The BBC's coverage of the World Cup in 1966 set a new standard for sport coverage and helped to establish the organization as a leading broadcaster in the world of sport and here they are, all these years later now giving the women's game the focus it deserves.


World Cup '66


"Technicians prepare BBC studios for World Cup Broadcast."
[AP]

"As the 55-year anniversary of England’s only World Cup victory approaches, Jenny Rowan considers how TV and radio companies prepared for the task of broadcasting the event."
[Science and Media Museum]

"Hear the original radio coverage of extra time from the BBC's Network 3 of the 1966 World Cup final.  Maurice Edelston and Brian Moore commentated on the match between England and West Germany for the BBC Sports service."
[BBC Sounds]

"Roger Domeneghetti explains why the 1966 tournament established the template for televised football that still holds today, even if the replays did take a little getting used to"
[The New European]


Archive


"On the occasion of the release of his 32nd film - Les Fetes Galantes - this master of the French cinema talks to Dilys Powell."
[UBUWeb]

"John Betjeman and Arthur Negus visit Frampton Court in Gloucestershire, an old manor house with roots in the Middle Ages and 17th century architecture."
[BBC Rewind]

"The shock assassination of Hendrik Verwoerd in the Cape Town Parliament causes questions to be raised about the future of South Africa.  Verwoerd was killed by a white man who thought that poor white people needed more help. Individuals from all sides of the political spectrum give their views on his assassination and the future of South Africa."
[BBC Clips]


People


"BBC Radio 1 producer Jan 1966- Dec2000.  Sound engineer, producer, editor, Head of Programmes. Executive Producer Live Music. John Peel's producer."
[The British Entertainment History Project]


Places


South Africa: Carnarvon First Programme
"What has been described as a technological miracle took place at Carnarvon six-hundred miles north of the West Australian capital of Perth today when a live television programme was beamed both ways direct between England and Australia."
[Pathe]


Programmes


Joan Bakewell addresses the controversial rescheduling of TMR and interviews its creator Serge Danot.[Charlie Bowser]

"We all know the famous sketch. A suave, young John Cleese in a bowler hat looks down on Ronnie Barker, asserting 'I look down on him, because I am upper class.' Barker in turn looks to him: 'I look up to him, because he is upper class, but I look down on him' - he turns to look down at a young Ronnie Corbett - 'because he is lower class. I am middle class,' he announces as he looks directly to camera. Corbett, comically dressed as an urchin, does the same, as he declares 'I know my place.'""
[British Comedy Guide]

"This affectionate and half-serious half-not look at the houses, buildings, shops, sheds, walls, windmills and cider presses that appeared in the BBC’s equally affectionately-remembered children’s shows Camberwick Green, Trumpton and Chigley came about as a direct consequence of that miserable first lockdown ..."
[Tim Worthington]

"An appreciation of the ground-breaking BBC television drama first broadcast 55 years ago."
[We Are Cult]

"For a magazine feature on children’s television, Jane Bown travelled to the planet Vulcan to photograph the Doctor’s greatest enemies."
[The Observer]

"An interview with Dalek creator Terry Nation."
[The Guardian]

"BBC Proms 1966 revolutionised listening at home with stereo for the first time."
[BBC Clips][BBC Programme Index]


Politics


"Ian Paisley leads a protest outside BBC headquarters in Northern Ireland protesting against the authority's decision to broadcast a nativity play."
[BBC Rewind]

"During the year under review the BBC has had to operate against a general background of financial, technical and political uncertainties.  In spite of this a good deal has been achieved, thanks to the resource, ingenuity and high morale of the staff."
[hathitrust]

"It is unusual for the Chairman and Director-General to give a News Conference on the publication of the Annual Report and Accounts of the BBC."
[World Radio History] 

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