Children's Newsreel was introduced on 23 April 1950 as a lighter counterpart to the regular Television Newsreel, although suitable material culled from the main newsreel films was used. The lead story of the first edition was titled Brumas the Bear, about the first polar bear cub born and raised at London Zoo, which was a celebrated attraction at the time. The film showed the crowds as well as Brumas.
The title sequence of Children's Newsreel featured the transmitter at Alexandra Palace, but it was amongst the first programmes to be made at Lime Grove. The producer was Donald Smith and the main commentators were Mary Malcolm and Stephen Grenfell. One of the early films featured a look behind the scenes at the studios.
Other stories featured in the first weeks included: Cleaning Railway Coaches; The Miniature Railway at Alexandra Park; Making Humbugs; If You Lost Your Dog; Making Cricket Bats; Princess Margaret Inspects Sea Rangers at Portsmouth.
Children's Newsreel ended in 1961 but many of the films were later recycled and used in Play School. Current affairs programming for children resumed in 1972 with John Craven's Newsround, - now just Newsround - which explained the background to the news of the day.
April anniversaries
-
Radiophonic Workshop founded
1 April 1958 -
The Boat Race first televised
2 April 1927 -
The Family first episode
3 April 1974 -
The Good Life
4 April 1975 -
New radio branding
4 April 1970 -
Newsround
4 April 1972 -
The Money Programme
5 April 1966 -
American Half Hour
6 April 1935 -
PM and The World Tonight
6 April 1970 -
Pogle鈥檚 Wood
7 April 1966 -
How Does Your Garden Grow?
9 April 1947 -
First episode of The Two Ronnies
10 April 1971 -
Launch of 大象传媒 Networking Club
11 April 1994 -
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
11 April 1972 -
Blue Peter Royal Safari
11 April 1971 -
Citizen Smith
12 April 1977 -
Animal Magic
13 April 1962 -
Demonstration of VERA Video Recorder on Panorama
14 April 1958 -
After Henry
17 April 1985 -
Hamlet at Elsinore
19 April 1964 -
First night of 大象传媒 Two
20 April 1964 -
Play School
21 April 1964 -
First episode of Top Gear
22 April 1977 -
Children's Newsreel
23 April 1950 -
The Sky at Night
24 April 1957 -
An Age of Kings
28 April 1960 -
First Episode of Waggoners' Walk
28 April 1969 -
The FA Cup Final is first televised
30 April 1938