Darts and Shove Ha'penny (lost early BBC televised darts matches; 1936-1939): Difference between revisions

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(First televised darts matches. Thought I might as well write about them all in one article. Very much looking forward to the 2022 World Darts Championship in December!)
 
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'''''Darts and Shove Ha'penny ''''' is the title given to a darts match broadcast by the BBC on 29th May, 1937, which is considered by most sources as the '''first televised darts match'''. Prior to BBC Television Service ceasing transmission following the outbreak of the Second World War, it had televised a number of matches from 1937 to 1939, and a casual match was even shown as part of an Indoor Games test transmission in August 1936.
'''''Darts and Shove Ha'penny ''''' is the title given to a darts match broadcast by the BBC on 29th May 1937, which is considered by most sources as the '''first televised darts match'''. Prior to BBC Television Service ceasing transmission following the outbreak of the Second World War, it had televised a number of matches from 1937 to 1939, and a casual match was even shown as part of an Indoor Games test transmission in August 1936.


==Background==
==Background==
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==Darts Matches on BBC Television Service==
==Darts Matches on BBC Television Service==
When the BBC Television Service officially launched on 2nd November, it would take until 29th May, 1937 for a darts match to be broadcast. The programme was listed as ''Shove Ha'penny'', featured two teams from notable hostelries. Sources such as the ''Professional Darts Players Association'' determine this to be the first official televised darts programme.<ref>[https://www.pdpa.co.uk/statistics/history/ ''Professional Darts Players Association'' proclaiming the 29th May, 1937 match as the first televised darts programme.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> The title ''Shove Ha'penny'' implies that not only was regular darts shown, but also the game Shove Ha'penny, where the objective is to shove five coins up the board where points are scored for coins that are between two horizontal lines and bordering vertical lines.<ref>[https://www.mastersofgames.com/rules/shove-hapenny-rules.htm An explanation of the game Shove Ha'penny.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> Therefore, this most likely was the first televised instance of this pub game too.
When the BBC Television Service officially launched on 2nd November, it would take until 29th May, 1937 for a darts match to be broadcast. The programme was listed as ''Darts and Shove Ha'penny'', featured two teams from notable hostelries. Sources such as the ''Professional Darts Players Association'' determine this to be the first official televised darts programme.<ref>[https://www.pdpa.co.uk/statistics/history/ ''Professional Darts Players Association'' proclaiming the 29th May, 1937 match as the first televised darts programme.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> The title ''Shove Ha'penny'' implies that not only was regular darts shown, but also the game Shove Ha'penny, where the objective is to shove five coins up the board where points are scored for coins that are between two horizontal lines and bordering vertical lines.<ref>[https://www.mastersofgames.com/rules/shove-hapenny-rules.htm An explanation of the game Shove Ha'penny.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> Therefore, this most likely was the first televised instance of this pub game too.


According to ''Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history'', the occasional match would be shown from 1937 to 1939.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tXACEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=Darts+and+Shove+Ha-penny+bbc&source=bl&ots=a2dDXIQ-xC&sig=ACfU3U2OI8frOYgMNs_RE4tFpCsYqiPLfg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgkKvAovLzAhXbh1wKHVqLAQYQ6AF6BAgbEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false ''Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history'' detailing the matches shown on BBC Television Service and theorising why they were included.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> The next match was broadcast on 5th February, 1938, featuring a BBC team competing against a team of champions of the ''News of the World'' competition, one of the first organised darts tournaments.<ref>[https://www.darts501.com/Newsoftheworld.html ''Darts 501'' detailing the ''News of the World Championships''.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> A return match scheduled on 2nd April that same year; both featured commentary by Charles Garner, who was the secretary of the National Darts Association.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/84ac1a0eb9d24bc8ad81e9b0fdbc930c Issue 756 of ''Radio Times'' listing the 2nd April, 1938 match and noting Charles Garner would be the commentator.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> On 30th April, another match between BBC and Press Club teams was televised, with a return match occurring on 13th January, 1939.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/4c3e25efce474e1288664280f812ddbc Issue 797 of ''Radio Times'' listing the 13th January, 1939 match.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> On 15th October, 1938, a local derby was first shown, featuring teams from Islington and Lambeth, before a rematch was shown on 22nd July that same year. After that, no more matches were shown by the time BBC Television Centre ceased all transmission following the outbreak of the Second World War on 1st September, 1939.<ref>[https://www.transdiffusion.org/2016/09/01/au-revoir-television ''BBC Handbook for 1940'' extract published on ''Transdiffusion'', discussing BBC Television Centre ceasing all transmissions following the outbreak of the Second World War.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref>
According to ''Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history'', the occasional match would be shown from 1937 to 1939.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tXACEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=Darts+and+Shove+Ha-penny+bbc&source=bl&ots=a2dDXIQ-xC&sig=ACfU3U2OI8frOYgMNs_RE4tFpCsYqiPLfg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgkKvAovLzAhXbh1wKHVqLAQYQ6AF6BAgbEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false ''Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history'' detailing the matches shown on BBC Television Service and theorising why they were included.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> The next match was broadcast on 5th February, 1938, featuring a BBC team competing against a team of champions of the ''News of the World'' competition, one of the first organised darts tournaments.<ref>[https://www.darts501.com/Newsoftheworld.html ''Darts 501'' detailing the ''News of the World Championships''.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> A return match scheduled on 2nd April that same year; both featured commentary by Charles Garner, who was the secretary of the National Darts Association.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/84ac1a0eb9d24bc8ad81e9b0fdbc930c Issue 756 of ''Radio Times'' listing the 2nd April, 1938 match and noting Charles Garner would be the commentator.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> On 30th April, another match between BBC and Press Club teams was televised, with a return match occurring on 13th January, 1939.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/4c3e25efce474e1288664280f812ddbc Issue 797 of ''Radio Times'' listing the 13th January, 1939 match.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref> On 15th October, 1938, a local derby was first shown, featuring teams from Islington and Lambeth, before a rematch was shown on 22nd July that same year. After that, no more matches were shown by the time BBC Television Centre ceased all transmission following the outbreak of the Second World War on 1st September, 1939.<ref>[https://www.transdiffusion.org/2016/09/01/au-revoir-television ''BBC Handbook for 1940'' extract published on ''Transdiffusion'', discussing BBC Television Centre ceasing all transmissions following the outbreak of the Second World War.] Retrieved 30 Oct '21</ref>
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</gallery>
</gallery>


==See Also (Early BBC Television Media)==
==See Also==
===Early BBC Sports Television===
*[[1931 Epsom Derby (lost televised footage of horse racing event; 1931)]]
*[[1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)]]
*[[1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)]]
*[[1937 Wimbledon Championships (partially found footage of tennis tournament; 1937)]]
*[[1938 Ashes Series (partially found footage of international test cricket match; 1938)]]
*[[1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)]]
*[[1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)]]
*[[1947 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1947)]]
*[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One race; 1953)]]
*[[1955 Scottish Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1955)]]
*[[Archery (lost early televised toxophily; 1937-1938)]]
*[[Arsenal 7-1 Hibernian (lost footage of charity football match; 1952)]]
*[[Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)]]
*[[Barnet 3-2 Wealdstone (lost footage of Athenian League football match; 1946)]]
*[[The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Charlton Athletic 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (lost footage of FA Cup match; 1947)]]
*[[England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)]]
*[[England 1-1 Scotland (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)]]
*[[England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)]]
*[[England 3-0 France (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)]]
*[[England 3-0 Rest of Europe (partially found footage of international football match; 1938)]]
*[[Falkirk 3-2 Newcastle United (lost footage of football match; 1953)]]
*[[Horace Lindrum vs Willie Smith (lost footage of televised snooker; 1937)]]
*[[Scottish Universities 1-1 English Universities (lost footage of international football match; 1952)]]
*[[Woods and Jack (lost early televised lawn bowls; 1937; 1946)]]
 
===Early BBC Television===
*[[Alexandra Palace's wartime television demonstrations (lost footage of private television transmissions; 1943, 1945)]]
*[[An Inspector Calls (lost television adaptation of play; 1948)]]
*[[Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)]]
*[[Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)]]
*[[BBC Election Night (lost coverage of British general elections; 1950-1951)]]
*[[The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)]]
*[[Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[Craftsmen at Work (lost early BBC documentary show; 1938, 1946)]]
*[[Dish of the Month (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[Dish of the Month (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[First Aid (lost early BBC medical show; 1937)]]
*[[First Aid (lost early BBC medical show; 1937)]]
*[[Foundations of Cookery (lost early BBC cooking show; 1939)]]
*[[Foundations of Cookery (lost early BBC cooking show; 1939)]]
*[[Marcel Boulestin television shorts (lost early BBC programs; 1937-1939)]]
*[[Marcel Boulestin television shorts (lost early BBC programs; 1937-1939)]]
*[[Masks through the Ages (lost early BBC history talk show; 1937)]]
*[[Opening of the BBC Television Service (partially found coverage of inaugural day of high-definition television service; 1936)]]
*[[The Orchestra and its Instruments (lost early BBC music talk show; 1937)]]
*[[RCA recording of BBC Television Service (found footage of pre-Second World War BBC television broadcast; 1938)]]
*[[RCA recording of BBC Television Service (found footage of pre-Second World War BBC television broadcast; 1938)]]
*[[Sea Stories (lost early BBC talk show; 1936-1937)]]
*[[Sea Stories (lost early BBC talk show; 1936-1937)]]
*[[Spelling Bee (lost early BBC game show; 1938)]]
*[[Spelling Bee (lost early BBC game show; 1938)]]
*[[Telecrime (lost early BBC crime drama; 1938-1939; 1946)]]
*[[Telecrime (lost early BBC crime drama; 1938-1939; 1946)]]
*[[The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)]]
*[[The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)]]
*[[The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)]]
*[[Weaponless Self-Defence (lost early ju-jitsu television program; 1936-1937)]]
*[[The World of Women (lost early BBC talk show; 1937)]]


==See Also (Early Sports Television Media)==
===Early Sports Television Media===
*[[1931 Epsom Derby (lost televised footage of horse racing event; 1931)]]
*[[1934 Philo T. Farnsworth broadcasts (lost early television demonstrations; 1934)]]
*[[1934 Philo T. Farnsworth broadcasts (lost early television demonstrations; 1934)]]
*[[1936 Summer Olympics (lost television coverage of Berlin Games; 1936)]]
*[[1936 Summer Olympics (lost television coverage of Berlin Games; 1936)]]
*[[1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)]]
*[[1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)]]
*[[1937 Wimbledon Championships (partially found footage of tennis tournament; 1937)]]
*[[1938 Ashes Series (partially found footage of international test cricket match; 1938)]]
*[[1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)]]
*[[1938 Pennsylvania Quakers football season (lost early televised college football games; 1938)]]
*[[1938 Pennsylvania Quakers football season (lost early televised college football games; 1938)]]
*[[1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)]]
*[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One race; 1953)]]
*[[1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)]]
*[[1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)]]
*[[Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)]]
*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 2-5 6-1 Cincinnati Reds (lost footage of MLB doubleheader; 1939)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 2-5 6-1 Cincinnati Reds (lost footage of MLB doubleheader; 1939)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 23-14 Philadelphia Eagles (lost footage of NFL game; 1939)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 23-14 Philadelphia Eagles (lost footage of NFL game; 1939)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Columbia Lions 1-2 Princeton Tigers (partially found footage of college baseball game; 1939)]]
*[[Columbia Lions 1-2 Princeton Tigers (partially found footage of college baseball game; 1939)]]
*[[England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)]]
*[[England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)]]
*[[Fordham Rams 34-7 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (lost footage of college football game; 1939)]]
*[[Fordham Rams 34-7 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (lost footage of college football game; 1939)]]
*[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
*[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
*[[The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:53, 26 February 2022

Dartsandshovehapenny1.jpg

Jasmine Bligh and Leslie Mitchell rehearsing before appearing in front of a TV camera to commence a darts match.

Status: Lost

Darts and Shove Ha'penny is the title given to a darts match broadcast by the BBC on 29th May 1937, which is considered by most sources as the first televised darts match. Prior to BBC Television Service ceasing transmission following the outbreak of the Second World War, it had televised a number of matches from 1937 to 1939, and a casual match was even shown as part of an Indoor Games test transmission in August 1936.

Background

The distinction of the "first televised darts" depends on whether a test transmission counts. During the BBC's Indoor Games test transmissions at Alexandra Palace in August 1936 prior to the official launch of its Television Service in November later that year, it had shown a match between Jasmine Bligh and Leslie Mitchell.[1] Bligh and Mitchell, along with Elizabeth Cowell, were successful in their applications to become the first announcers for the Television Service out of 1,122 applicants, including around 700 women and over 600 men. Factors for selection included male candidates having the ideal handsomeness that avoided "gay goings on", which allegedly eliminated half of the field.[2] As for women, they had to be unmarried and lack red hair.[3] Following the selection process, Bligh and Mitchell rehearsed during the test transmissions. Not much is known about their darts match, but it was shown in one transmission, and a photo of the duo in front of a darts board during rehearsal is publicly accessible.

Darts Matches on BBC Television Service

When the BBC Television Service officially launched on 2nd November, it would take until 29th May, 1937 for a darts match to be broadcast. The programme was listed as Darts and Shove Ha'penny, featured two teams from notable hostelries. Sources such as the Professional Darts Players Association determine this to be the first official televised darts programme.[4] The title Shove Ha'penny implies that not only was regular darts shown, but also the game Shove Ha'penny, where the objective is to shove five coins up the board where points are scored for coins that are between two horizontal lines and bordering vertical lines.[5] Therefore, this most likely was the first televised instance of this pub game too.

According to Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history, the occasional match would be shown from 1937 to 1939.[6] The next match was broadcast on 5th February, 1938, featuring a BBC team competing against a team of champions of the News of the World competition, one of the first organised darts tournaments.[7] A return match scheduled on 2nd April that same year; both featured commentary by Charles Garner, who was the secretary of the National Darts Association.[8] On 30th April, another match between BBC and Press Club teams was televised, with a return match occurring on 13th January, 1939.[9] On 15th October, 1938, a local derby was first shown, featuring teams from Islington and Lambeth, before a rematch was shown on 22nd July that same year. After that, no more matches were shown by the time BBC Television Centre ceased all transmission following the outbreak of the Second World War on 1st September, 1939.[10]

Darts may have been an unusual sport to broadcast during this time period. The average viewer that could afford an then-expensive television set often were middle or upper-class in social status, and darts back then was a rather novel sport. Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history theorises that not only did the BBC ultimately decide some darts games would be worthy inclusions for its programme schedule, but also how simple it was from a technological perspective to televise the games. Their indoor nature of the games likely played a factor, considering the challenges of outside broadcasts for other sports like football and tennis.[11] All of the matches were situated at Alexandra Palace, which to this day remains as the venue for the Professional Darts Corporation's World Darts Championship.[12]

Availability

Like all early BBC programs, the darts matches were televised live and were not directly recorded, as there were no means of achieving this prior to the end of the Second World War.[13] Thus, all footage of these darts matches are now permanently missing. Nevertheless, some media, including from relevant Radio Times issues listing key darts matches and the surviving photo of Bligh and Mitchell, helped to document these missing events.

Images

See Also

Early BBC Sports Television

Early BBC Television

Early Sports Television Media

References

  1. BBC Genome Blog noting the Jasmine Bligh-Leslie Mitchell match during a test transmission and providing a surviving photo. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  2. Teletronic detailing the test transmissions, and how male television presenters were selected. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  3. Showreel detailing criteria for female television presenters. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  4. Professional Darts Players Association proclaiming the 29th May, 1937 match as the first televised darts programme. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  5. An explanation of the game Shove Ha'penny. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  6. Darts in England, 1900–39: A social history detailing the matches shown on BBC Television Service and theorising why they were included. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  7. Darts 501 detailing the News of the World Championships. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  8. Issue 756 of Radio Times listing the 2nd April, 1938 match and noting Charles Garner would be the commentator. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  9. Issue 797 of Radio Times listing the 13th January, 1939 match. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  10. BBC Handbook for 1940 extract published on Transdiffusion, discussing BBC Television Centre ceasing all transmissions following the outbreak of the Second World War. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  11. BBC discussing the challenges of outside broadcasting back in the 1930s, including for the 1937 Wimbledon Championships. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  12. Professional Darts Corporation discussing hosting the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, until at least the end of the 2024/25 event. Retrieved 30 Oct '21
  13. Web Archive article discussing how most pre-Second World War television is missing due to no means of directly recording television. Retrieved 30 Oct '21