BBC News Debuts

#OnThisDay 1922 

British Broadcasting Company (became Corporation in 1927) then owned by six telecommunications companies: Marconi, Radio Communication Company, Metropolitan-Vickers (MetroVick), General Electric, Western Electric, and British Thomson-Houston (BTH) began its first experimental radio news broadcast on 14 November, 1922 from Marconi House located on the Strand.

The BBC at that time with the staff of only four chose the director of programmes, Arthur Burrows to read the bulletin twice a quick one at six o’clock and a slow one at nine, it also asked its listeners to inform their preference to the company. 

“This is 2LO calling, the London station of the British Broadcasting Company calling. This is 2LO calling”, were the first words uttered on the news.

The first bulletins included details of the opening of the Old Bailey sessions, a speech by the Conservative leader Bonar Law, the aftermath of a "rowdy meeting" involving Winston Churchill, a train robbery, the sale of a Shakespearean first folio, fog in London - and "the latest billiards scores”.

Pictures-

Marconi House Plaque

Arthur Burrows

BBC old Coat of Arms

BBC old sign

Broadcasting house