The 大象传媒's landmark central London premises, Broadcasting House, officially opened on 15 May 1932. It was designed by Val Myer, with the 大象传媒's civil engineer Marmaduke Tudsbery. Together, they overcame the restrictions imposed by the location on Portland Place to create a building that contained 22 sound insulated radio studios and a concert hall, and is still in use today.
The south end of Broadcasting House, looking down regent Street, was the focal point. This was emphasised with a clock tower and a mast, and a 10 foot tall sculpture of Prospero and Ariel above the imposing main entrance. Eric Gill carved the figures on the instruction of the 大象传媒 Governors, who suggested that the spirit Ariel could serve as the personification of broadcasting. However, Gill gave Ariel stigmata, and said "in my view the figures... are as much God the father and Son as they are Shakespeare's characters."
Broadcasting House survived the war despite being hit by a bomb which killed 7 people. It was granted Grade II* listed status in 1981. At the start of the 21st century a major refurbishment of the building accompanied the development of a massive extension, by architects MJP, which fitted Broadcasting House for life in the future. It now houses 大象传媒 News, 大象传媒 Television, 大象传媒 Radio, and the World Service.
May anniversaries
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Bread
1 May 1986 -
Top of the Form
1 May 1948 -
First VHF transmitter opens at Wrotham
2 May 1955 -
Horizon first transmitted
2 May 1964 -
Luther
4 May 2010 -
The Ascent of Man first broadcast
5 May 1973 -
Wedding of Princess Margaret
6 May 1960 -
VE Day broadcasts
8 May 1945 -
First gardening programme
9 May 1931 -
The Queen鈥檚 Hall destroyed by bombing
10 May 1941 -
Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
12 May 1937 -
First episode of Bucknell's House
14 May 1962 -
Broadcasting House opens
15 May 1932 -
Strictly Come Dancing
15 May 2004 -
The Debussy film debuts
18 May 1965 -
Beatrice Harrison, cello and nightingale duet
19 May 1924 -
Churchill's first broadcast as Prime Minister
19 May 1940 -
Thomas Woodrooffe at the Coronation Fleet Review
20 May 1937 -
Opening of Lime Grove Studios
21 May 1950 -
Eurovision first broadcast
24 May 1956 -
That's Life
26 May 1973 -
The Goon Show
28 May 1951 -
The Great War
30 May 1964 -
Tumbledown
31 May 1988