Scotland On-Air

Celebrating 100 years of broadcasting in Scotland — BBC and commercial. Curated by Graham Stewart.

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

Article in today's Courier magazine: https://t.co/461WtVgh50

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

What happened at the launch of the BBC's 5SC this week in 1923? Scotland On-Air's Graham Stewart explains in the latest episode of Paul Kerensa's podcast, The British Broadcasting Century: https://t.co/1lxN37zAxM

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

Glasgow Herald, 5 March 1923: It is announced that the opening of the Glasgow broadcasting station will be relayed to an audience in the Berkeley Hall, Glasgow, tomorrow night.

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

3/3 — Meanwhile, successful tests were carried out from the transmitter at Port-Dundas tonight, consisting of short messages and news items. The studio in Bath Street is still not fully kitted-out yet — and it's only 5 days until launch!

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

1/3 — Earlier tonight in London, John Reith gave Herbert Carruthers, the new Glasgow station director, dinner in the Cavendish Club. He told him to acquire a library of music and engage a small number of musicians.

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

2/3 — As luck would have it, on his way back to the railway station Carruthers found a music shop which had closed down, knocked on the door and bought the whole catalogue of music.

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

7/7 — The original opening date of 19 March has been brought forward to Tuesday 6 March so that the station is ready by the time the British National Opera Company's performances are transmitted from the Coliseum.

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

1/7 — Let’s bring you up to date on what was happening 100 years ago. The newly-formed British Broadcasting Company was formed in October 1922. The first radio stations launched in London (14 Nov), Birmingham, Manchester (15 Nov), Newcastle (24 Dec), and Cardiff (13 Feb 1923).

[Scotland On-Air @ScotlandOnAir]

6/7 — 21 Feb 1923: Herbert Carruthers, organist at Park Church, is appointed Glasgow station director on a salary of £425 per annum. The 31 year-old was educated at Heriot's College, Edinburgh, and Edinburgh University.