WHAT:
Television Centre
WHERE:
Television Centre, Wood Ln, London W12 7FW, UK
LOCATION:
WHEN:
29th June 1960
WHO:
Graham Dawbarn
DETAILS:
The BBC’s former flagship Television Centre has been accredited as a World Origin Site for being The World’s First Purpose Built Television Production Facility in time for its 65th anniversary in July 2025. Still partly used for productions today its design by Graham Dawbarn was driven by the process of television production which created a distinctive London landmark. This accreditation was supported by Sir David Attenborough.
Designed by architect Graham Dawbarn, BBC Television Centre in Shepherd’s Bush, London, became operational on 29 June 1960. At that time, it was one of the most technically advanced production hubs globally. The complex is situated four miles west of central London on a site previously used for the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908.
Television Centre, or TVC as staff called it, was the third purpose-built television production facility to open—following ABC in Australia and Granada Television in Manchester—but it was the first to be conceived.
The building’s distinctive circular design, often referred to as the ‘doughnut,’ housed technical areas, artist facilities, and administrative offices. This unique layout contributed to its reputation as the “Hollywood” of the small screen.
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