'In on the ground floor': Women and the early BBC television service, 1932–1939. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murphy, Kate
• Is Part Of: Critical studies in television. Volume 17:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 240
• Page End: 253
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Women -- BBC -- television -- interwar -- employment -- production; Television -- Periodicals; Television criticism -- Periodicals; 384.5505
• DOI: 10.1177/17496020221103461
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-6020

Abstract

This is a working paper on women and the early BBC television service, prior to September 1939. It considers women in four main areas of work: in production roles, in secretarial/clerical support work, in Makeup and Wardrobe, and as on-screen announcers. Apart from the latter two, which were developed especially for television, it shows a clear link with radio practices, particularly the possibility of women moving through the ranks. The paper argues that, had there not been a seven year hiatus for the Second World War, women would have reached elevated positions in the television service much sooner.