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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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television
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The *BBC launched the world's first public high-definition service in 1936, after a period of experiment with John Logie *Baird. Transmission resumed after the war, in 1946, but the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 was the first occasion on which a large audience in Britain saw TV. Two years later the BBC lost its monopoly. A commercial channel (Independent Television or ITV) was authorized by the Television Act of 1954, and franchises were then issued to successful applicants for the different regions of the country. Two London companies were the first on the air, in September 1955 – Associated-Rediffusion on weekdays and Associated Television (ATV) at weekends. Of the original companies granted franchises for the major regions at that time only one, *Granada, is still transmitting.
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