The history of television for public showing in cinemas in the united kingdom

When J.L. Baird, in 1923, commenced his work on television, he had in mind the development of a system which would enable people to sit in a cinema and see on the screen the finish of the Derby, or some other topical event. Subsequently, he demonstrated a crude form of large-screen television in July 1930, and, on 1st June 1932, at a special demonstration given in the Metropole Cinema, London, he reproduced televised images of the Derby. The first large-screen reproduction of a 405-line BBC television programme was shown on 7th December 1937 at the Palais-de-Luxe cinema, Bromley and further demonstrations were given in 1938 and 1939. These demonstrations stimulated much public interest in cinema television and, by September 1939, five London theatres had been equipped with large-screen television equipment. Scophony Ltd. also developed cinema television apparatus, and elsewhere, particularly in the USA and Germany, similar work was undertaken. Although considerable technical advances were made prior to the commencement of the 1939¿1945 World War, and immediately afterwards, the proposed introduction of television in cinemas led to much debate between the BBC and the various film trade associations. The subject was considered by the Broadcasting Committee, 1949, by the Daniel Committee, 1952, and by the Pilkington Committee, 1960; but eventually the latter committee recommended against the introduction of a service of television for public showing. The paper considers the various technical and political factors which led to this decision.