The British Broadcasting Century podcast
@bbcentury.bsky.social
Informing, educating + entertaining re British broadcasting's origin story: the first firsts of radio, early BBC, interwar bits & pieces + occasional pictures of Reith looking grumpy.
By paulkerensa.bsky.social
Podcast/tour/book: paulkerensa.com/oldradio
By paulkerensa.bsky.social
Podcast/tour/book: paulkerensa.com/oldradio
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
A lovely preview in Who Do You Think You Are mag:
"The perfect festive treat to listen to while you're peeling your vegetables... a charming tale of creativity and optimism."
Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, R4. Tune in! (or click buttons/ask Alexa, whatever you kids do nowadays with your newfangled gizmos)
"The perfect festive treat to listen to while you're peeling your vegetables... a charming tale of creativity and optimism."
Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, R4. Tune in! (or click buttons/ask Alexa, whatever you kids do nowadays with your newfangled gizmos)
December 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
A lovely preview in Who Do You Think You Are mag:
"The perfect festive treat to listen to while you're peeling your vegetables... a charming tale of creativity and optimism."
Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, R4. Tune in! (or click buttons/ask Alexa, whatever you kids do nowadays with your newfangled gizmos)
"The perfect festive treat to listen to while you're peeling your vegetables... a charming tale of creativity and optimism."
Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, R4. Tune in! (or click buttons/ask Alexa, whatever you kids do nowadays with your newfangled gizmos)
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
Christmas @radiotimes.bsky.social is out! Highlighter time...
And 'Today's Choices' for Christmas Eve, my new radio drama about the first radio drama:
The Truth about Phyllis Twigg
Just before Nine Lessons & Carols (I deliberately made the last minute extra good for anyone tuning into that early...)
And 'Today's Choices' for Christmas Eve, my new radio drama about the first radio drama:
The Truth about Phyllis Twigg
Just before Nine Lessons & Carols (I deliberately made the last minute extra good for anyone tuning into that early...)
December 8, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Christmas @radiotimes.bsky.social is out! Highlighter time...
And 'Today's Choices' for Christmas Eve, my new radio drama about the first radio drama:
The Truth about Phyllis Twigg
Just before Nine Lessons & Carols (I deliberately made the last minute extra good for anyone tuning into that early...)
And 'Today's Choices' for Christmas Eve, my new radio drama about the first radio drama:
The Truth about Phyllis Twigg
Just before Nine Lessons & Carols (I deliberately made the last minute extra good for anyone tuning into that early...)
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
Ahead of our Christmas radio drama about the first radio drama, here's a lovely article about both of those things. The writer's done his research!
downthetubes.net/the-truth-ab...
downthetubes.net/the-truth-ab...
“The Truth About Phyllis Twigg” lifts the lid on secrets of early BBC radio
A Christmas audio treat from B7 Media and friends
downthetubes.net
December 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Ahead of our Christmas radio drama about the first radio drama, here's a lovely article about both of those things. The writer's done his research!
downthetubes.net/the-truth-ab...
downthetubes.net/the-truth-ab...
Nice things on Patreon.com/paulkerensa a-coming. As to what... you'll have to join to see.
Thanks for your support, matrons + patrons! I shall wear it always.
(£5/mth, all supports this broadcasting history project)
Thanks for your support, matrons + patrons! I shall wear it always.
(£5/mth, all supports this broadcasting history project)
Get more from The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa on Patreon
creating podcasts, writing and videos
Patreon.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Nice things on Patreon.com/paulkerensa a-coming. As to what... you'll have to join to see.
Thanks for your support, matrons + patrons! I shall wear it always.
(£5/mth, all supports this broadcasting history project)
Thanks for your support, matrons + patrons! I shall wear it always.
(£5/mth, all supports this broadcasting history project)
I just recorded an 8th interview for our festive podcast special: The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg.
Chats with cast, director, composer + descendants of the characters in our radio drama about the first radio drama, on Radio 4 this Christmas Eve:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Chats with cast, director, composer + descendants of the characters in our radio drama about the first radio drama, on Radio 4 this Christmas Eve:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, The Truth About Phyllis Twigg
A light-hearted Christmas drama about giving credit where credit’s due.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I just recorded an 8th interview for our festive podcast special: The Truth About The Truth About Phyllis Twigg.
Chats with cast, director, composer + descendants of the characters in our radio drama about the first radio drama, on Radio 4 this Christmas Eve:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Chats with cast, director, composer + descendants of the characters in our radio drama about the first radio drama, on Radio 4 this Christmas Eve:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
A couple of nice old pics of Gaiety Theatre/Marconi House on Aldwych/Strand - the first BBC studios being on the 7th floor, around the date of the first picture.
The shows on the theatre front help date these to 1922 and 1924.
The shows on the theatre front help date these to 1922 and 1924.
November 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A couple of nice old pics of Gaiety Theatre/Marconi House on Aldwych/Strand - the first BBC studios being on the 7th floor, around the date of the first picture.
The shows on the theatre front help date these to 1922 and 1924.
The shows on the theatre front help date these to 1922 and 1924.
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
In which I wizz through the long history of the BBC in 17 director generals & 35mins. Thanks Paul for having me on.
New podcast ahoy!
Ep 109 of The British Broadcasting Century
Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills (@tommills.bsky.social)
From Oct 1923 (Reith asks both PM and King on the air; both refuse) to Nov 2025 (Davie's resignation) via Milne, Birt & co
Hear here:
pod.fo/e/35c09b
Ep 109 of The British Broadcasting Century
Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills (@tommills.bsky.social)
From Oct 1923 (Reith asks both PM and King on the air; both refuse) to Nov 2025 (Davie's resignation) via Milne, Birt & co
Hear here:
pod.fo/e/35c09b
The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa: #109 Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills
In October 1923, first BBC General Manager John Reith wrote to both 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, inviting the Prime Minister and the King to broadcast on the near year-old BBC. Both ref...
pod.fo
November 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
In which I wizz through the long history of the BBC in 17 director generals & 35mins. Thanks Paul for having me on.
New podcast ahoy!
Ep 109 of The British Broadcasting Century
Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills (@tommills.bsky.social)
From Oct 1923 (Reith asks both PM and King on the air; both refuse) to Nov 2025 (Davie's resignation) via Milne, Birt & co
Hear here:
pod.fo/e/35c09b
Ep 109 of The British Broadcasting Century
Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills (@tommills.bsky.social)
From Oct 1923 (Reith asks both PM and King on the air; both refuse) to Nov 2025 (Davie's resignation) via Milne, Birt & co
Hear here:
pod.fo/e/35c09b
The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa: #109 Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills
In October 1923, first BBC General Manager John Reith wrote to both 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, inviting the Prime Minister and the King to broadcast on the near year-old BBC. Both ref...
pod.fo
November 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
New podcast ahoy!
Ep 109 of The British Broadcasting Century
Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills (@tommills.bsky.social)
From Oct 1923 (Reith asks both PM and King on the air; both refuse) to Nov 2025 (Davie's resignation) via Milne, Birt & co
Hear here:
pod.fo/e/35c09b
Ep 109 of The British Broadcasting Century
Reith to Davie: 17 BBC Directors General - with Dr Tom Mills (@tommills.bsky.social)
From Oct 1923 (Reith asks both PM and King on the air; both refuse) to Nov 2025 (Davie's resignation) via Milne, Birt & co
Hear here:
pod.fo/e/35c09b
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
Huge thanks TBI Media for having us and looking after this marvellous radio sanctuary, and to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show team for being so welcoming.
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
November 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Huge thanks TBI Media for having us and looking after this marvellous radio sanctuary, and to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show team for being so welcoming.
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
Here are some artefacts I stopped by on the way in...
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
...Here are some selected highlights from my 3/4 century whizzthrough of Pause for Thought + its predecessor Five to Ten, inc. previous voices from Paul Simon to Barbara Cartland:
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
...Here are some selected highlights from my 3/4 century whizzthrough of Pause for Thought + its predecessor Five to Ten, inc. previous voices from Paul Simon to Barbara Cartland:
I was asked to give a talk on 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme yesterday, in front of an audience of fellow Pause for Thought-ers (I've been doing it for 15 years or so).
Paul Simon, Barbara Cartland and Derek Nimmo all couldn't be there though...
Paul Simon, Barbara Cartland and Derek Nimmo all couldn't be there though...
Pause for Thought annual get-together yesterday - what a great squad to be part of.
Chatted to many fine folks: bishops, rabbis, Scott Mills, R2 boss Helen and dozens more!
I was delighted to be asked to do a history of 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme too...
Chatted to many fine folks: bishops, rabbis, Scott Mills, R2 boss Helen and dozens more!
I was delighted to be asked to do a history of 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme too...
November 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I was asked to give a talk on 75 years of the God slot on Radio 2/Light Programme yesterday, in front of an audience of fellow Pause for Thought-ers (I've been doing it for 15 years or so).
Paul Simon, Barbara Cartland and Derek Nimmo all couldn't be there though...
Paul Simon, Barbara Cartland and Derek Nimmo all couldn't be there though...
British Broadcasting Century Podcast ep 109 is out soon: a history of 17 Directors General.
Ep 108 is our latest then: a full fab cast re-enactment of a lost 1925 broadcast - a bizarre celebrity attempt at telepathy.
Catch it if y'aven't:
pod.fo/e/350fce
Ep 108 is our latest then: a full fab cast re-enactment of a lost 1925 broadcast - a bizarre celebrity attempt at telepathy.
Catch it if y'aven't:
pod.fo/e/350fce
The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa: #108 Mass Telepathy: Re-enacted - A Centenary Dramatisation of a BBC Broadcast
On 12 November 1925, the BBC broadcast one of its most bizarre programmes yet:'MASS TELEPATHY: An Experiment in Thought Reading in which every Listener will be invited to assist'On 12 November 2025...
pod.fo
November 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
British Broadcasting Century Podcast ep 109 is out soon: a history of 17 Directors General.
Ep 108 is our latest then: a full fab cast re-enactment of a lost 1925 broadcast - a bizarre celebrity attempt at telepathy.
Catch it if y'aven't:
pod.fo/e/350fce
Ep 108 is our latest then: a full fab cast re-enactment of a lost 1925 broadcast - a bizarre celebrity attempt at telepathy.
Catch it if y'aven't:
pod.fo/e/350fce
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
See one of BBC radio's early stars, Richard "Stinker" Murdoch on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 5am tomorrow in "It Happened in Soho" (1948). Our guest when we spoke about this back in ep 34 was @paulkerensa.bsky.social, host of @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast www.sohobitespodcast.com/episode/34
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 AM
See one of BBC radio's early stars, Richard "Stinker" Murdoch on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 5am tomorrow in "It Happened in Soho" (1948). Our guest when we spoke about this back in ep 34 was @paulkerensa.bsky.social, host of @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast www.sohobitespodcast.com/episode/34
Thanks for the kind words about the forthcoming Radio 4 drama (about the first radio drama) - more about how it came to be on m'latest Patreon video.
(£5/mth, all helps buy books etc... which have led to this radio drama! So thanks all who support there)
www.patreon.com/posts/vid-tr...
(£5/mth, all helps buy books etc... which have led to this radio drama! So thanks all who support there)
www.patreon.com/posts/vid-tr...
VID: The Truth about The Truth about Phyllis Twigg - coming soon to BBC Radio 4! | The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa
Get more from The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Thanks for the kind words about the forthcoming Radio 4 drama (about the first radio drama) - more about how it came to be on m'latest Patreon video.
(£5/mth, all helps buy books etc... which have led to this radio drama! So thanks all who support there)
www.patreon.com/posts/vid-tr...
(£5/mth, all helps buy books etc... which have led to this radio drama! So thanks all who support there)
www.patreon.com/posts/vid-tr...
News just in! My new radio drama about the first radio drama! On wireless sets this Christmas...
I can finally announce!
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
November 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
News just in! My new radio drama about the first radio drama! On wireless sets this Christmas...
The BBC's Mass Telepathy Broadcast of 1925: Re-enacted in 2025
Our centenary dramatisation of a bizarre lost broadcast - so how authentic was it?
My latest Substack: paulkerensa.substack.com/p/the-bbcs-m...
(+ listen to the re-enactment: pod.fo/e/350fce)
Our centenary dramatisation of a bizarre lost broadcast - so how authentic was it?
My latest Substack: paulkerensa.substack.com/p/the-bbcs-m...
(+ listen to the re-enactment: pod.fo/e/350fce)
The BBC's Mass Telepathy Broadcast of 1925: Re-enacted in 2025
Our centenary dramatisation of a bizarre lost broadcast - so how authentic was it?
paulkerensa.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM
The BBC's Mass Telepathy Broadcast of 1925: Re-enacted in 2025
Our centenary dramatisation of a bizarre lost broadcast - so how authentic was it?
My latest Substack: paulkerensa.substack.com/p/the-bbcs-m...
(+ listen to the re-enactment: pod.fo/e/350fce)
Our centenary dramatisation of a bizarre lost broadcast - so how authentic was it?
My latest Substack: paulkerensa.substack.com/p/the-bbcs-m...
(+ listen to the re-enactment: pod.fo/e/350fce)
With my BBC present hat on, I'll be on BBC1 Sunday Morning Live tomorrow for the news review.
With my BBC past hat on, a new podcast too at podfollow.com/BBCentury and a new Substack coming this week to paulkerensa.substack.com
Do read/listen/watch
With my BBC past hat on, a new podcast too at podfollow.com/BBCentury and a new Substack coming this week to paulkerensa.substack.com
Do read/listen/watch
I'll be back on the BBC Sunday Morning Live sofa tomorrow, Sunday, morning, live, BBC1, 10:45ish, with my trademark sideways glance (and it is trademarked - no nicking) at news stories of the week, with @dawnneesom.bsky.social @seanfletchertv.bsky.social Jennifer Reoch
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC One - Sunday Morning Live, Series 16, 23/11/2025
Have refugees become political scapegoats? And is now a good time for a wealth tax?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
With my BBC present hat on, I'll be on BBC1 Sunday Morning Live tomorrow for the news review.
With my BBC past hat on, a new podcast too at podfollow.com/BBCentury and a new Substack coming this week to paulkerensa.substack.com
Do read/listen/watch
With my BBC past hat on, a new podcast too at podfollow.com/BBCentury and a new Substack coming this week to paulkerensa.substack.com
Do read/listen/watch
Leigh Graham's Youtube channel has a nice new video on early BBC star Mabel Constanduros, and the birth of sitcom...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqBO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqBO...
Mabel Constanduros and the Birth of Sitcom
YouTube video by Upstaged by a Dog
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Leigh Graham's Youtube channel has a nice new video on early BBC star Mabel Constanduros, and the birth of sitcom...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqBO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqBO...
Apropos of nothing, here's 'The Fair of the Air' - Earls Court's Great Radio Show 1959
November 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Apropos of nothing, here's 'The Fair of the Air' - Earls Court's Great Radio Show 1959
Next few podcasts (podfollow.com/BBCentury), if you like a plan (we're zipping back and forth for a few specials):
#109 (out late Nov) - Nov 1923 - Reith tries to get the King + the PM onto the BBC. Fails. So it's a good time to look at a history of DGs and politics. What can possibly go wrong...
#109 (out late Nov) - Nov 1923 - Reith tries to get the King + the PM onto the BBC. Fails. So it's a good time to look at a history of DGs and politics. What can possibly go wrong...
podfollow.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Next few podcasts (podfollow.com/BBCentury), if you like a plan (we're zipping back and forth for a few specials):
#109 (out late Nov) - Nov 1923 - Reith tries to get the King + the PM onto the BBC. Fails. So it's a good time to look at a history of DGs and politics. What can possibly go wrong...
#109 (out late Nov) - Nov 1923 - Reith tries to get the King + the PM onto the BBC. Fails. So it's a good time to look at a history of DGs and politics. What can possibly go wrong...
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
Happy Friday podcast loving friends. Edition no. 338 of Find That Pod is out!
Discover 5 great podcasts:
🎙️ Deep Dream State
🎙️ The Last Invention
🎙️ Not Another Medical Podcast
🎙️ The British Broadcasting Century @bbcentury.bsky.social
🎙️ Havoc Town
Till next week.
Discover 5 great podcasts:
🎙️ Deep Dream State
🎙️ The Last Invention
🎙️ Not Another Medical Podcast
🎙️ The British Broadcasting Century @bbcentury.bsky.social
🎙️ Havoc Town
Till next week.
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Happy Friday podcast loving friends. Edition no. 338 of Find That Pod is out!
Discover 5 great podcasts:
🎙️ Deep Dream State
🎙️ The Last Invention
🎙️ Not Another Medical Podcast
🎙️ The British Broadcasting Century @bbcentury.bsky.social
🎙️ Havoc Town
Till next week.
Discover 5 great podcasts:
🎙️ Deep Dream State
🎙️ The Last Invention
🎙️ Not Another Medical Podcast
🎙️ The British Broadcasting Century @bbcentury.bsky.social
🎙️ Havoc Town
Till next week.
Happy 103rd birthday, BBC!
(...well, I hope it's happy)
Here are our podcasts on:
🎙️ How it began: tiny.cc/bbcentury037
📻 Its first day (inc re-enactment) - 14 Nov 1922: tiny.cc/bbcentury018
🔊100 years in 100 minutes: tiny.cc/bbcentury057
Thanks for so much, Beeb.
Here's to the next, er, 103 years?
(...well, I hope it's happy)
Here are our podcasts on:
🎙️ How it began: tiny.cc/bbcentury037
📻 Its first day (inc re-enactment) - 14 Nov 1922: tiny.cc/bbcentury018
🔊100 years in 100 minutes: tiny.cc/bbcentury057
Thanks for so much, Beeb.
Here's to the next, er, 103 years?
The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa: #037 SPECIAL: The Prehistory of the BBC (extended cut)
It's the BBC’s 99th birthday! Well it was on the day this episode landed. So for episode 37, here’s the podcast’s story so far... Between season 2 (covering the BBC in 1922) and season 3 (th...
tiny.cc
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Happy 103rd birthday, BBC!
(...well, I hope it's happy)
Here are our podcasts on:
🎙️ How it began: tiny.cc/bbcentury037
📻 Its first day (inc re-enactment) - 14 Nov 1922: tiny.cc/bbcentury018
🔊100 years in 100 minutes: tiny.cc/bbcentury057
Thanks for so much, Beeb.
Here's to the next, er, 103 years?
(...well, I hope it's happy)
Here are our podcasts on:
🎙️ How it began: tiny.cc/bbcentury037
📻 Its first day (inc re-enactment) - 14 Nov 1922: tiny.cc/bbcentury018
🔊100 years in 100 minutes: tiny.cc/bbcentury057
Thanks for so much, Beeb.
Here's to the next, er, 103 years?
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
Had a lot of fun being a part of this, recorded in almost a single take.
Our fab cast:
Sir Alfred Robbins - @adrianmackinder.bsky.social
Cecil Lewis - @willvoice.it
Lady Tree - @helenlloyd.bsky.social
Zena Dare - @nattychisholm.bsky.social
Phyllis Twigg - Carina Saner, playing her own great-grandmother!
Dorothy Warren - @martadasilva.bsky.social
...
Sir Alfred Robbins - @adrianmackinder.bsky.social
Cecil Lewis - @willvoice.it
Lady Tree - @helenlloyd.bsky.social
Zena Dare - @nattychisholm.bsky.social
Phyllis Twigg - Carina Saner, playing her own great-grandmother!
Dorothy Warren - @martadasilva.bsky.social
...
November 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Had a lot of fun being a part of this, recorded in almost a single take.
Reposted by The British Broadcasting Century podcast
This episode written (and recreated by @paulkerensa.bsky.social) directed and edited by me, all put together in just over a week! Have a listen, it’s lots of fun.
In a tough week for BBC present, there's a centenary of BBC past on Wed.
12 Nov 1925 saw a bizarre broadcast:
'Mass Telepathy: An Experiment in Thought Reading In which every listener will be invited to assist'
We're recreating it on the podcast.
Subscribe to get it, free:
podfollow.com/bbcentury
12 Nov 1925 saw a bizarre broadcast:
'Mass Telepathy: An Experiment in Thought Reading In which every listener will be invited to assist'
We're recreating it on the podcast.
Subscribe to get it, free:
podfollow.com/bbcentury
November 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This episode written (and recreated by @paulkerensa.bsky.social) directed and edited by me, all put together in just over a week! Have a listen, it’s lots of fun.