Yesterday's Christmas broadcast by the Queen carries on a tradition started by her grandfather, George V , in 1932 which was the first royal landmark for the fledgeling BBC. Then in 1937, George VTs coronation procession marched across several thousand small screens and 'the magic of television' had arrived.
The development of royal broadcasting is traced through a nostalgic look back over the first 50 years of the BBC's coverage, with pioneer commentators, Wynford Vaughan-Thomas ,
John Snagge , and Godfrey Talbot. And Sylvia Peters re-enacts the demonstration film she made for the Queen's first televised Christmas broadcast, 30 years ago. Written and narrated by David Jessel
Film editor CHRISTINE PANCOTT Producer MARYSE ADDISON (R)