A Happy New Year and Good Morning (lost 2LO and 2ZY coverage of New Year celebrations; 1922-1923): Difference between revisions

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(In fewer than three hours, 2022 will soon become 2023 in the United Kingdom. So to celebrate, why not finish off 2022 with perhaps the first ever dedicated New Year coverage in the United Kingdom? A century since 2ZY, and to a lesser extent 2LO, celebrated 1922 becoming 1923, with many eager to see how just far radio would go!)
 
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==Background==
==Background==
2ZY's origins dated back to 15th May 1922 when Metropolitan-Vickers (Metrovick) started conducting experimental broadcasts from a studio situated within its Metropolitan Vickers’ Research Department in Old Trafford.<ref name="atoz">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_A_to_Z_of_British_Radio/wAEk9veAhpAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA50&printsec=frontcover ''The A to Z of British Radio'' summarising the founding of 2ZY, 2LO, and the BBC.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="science">[https://blog.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/100-years-bbc-manchester/ ''Science and Industry Museum'' detailing the formation of 2ZY.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> At the time, Metrovick was one of the six biggest radio manufacturers in the country, the others being Marconi, the General Electric Company, the Radio Communication Company, the Western Electric Company, and the British Thomson Houston Company.<ref name="fun">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Radio_Fun_and_the_BBC_Variety_Department/-_1uDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA15&printsec=frontcover ''Radio Fun and the BBC Variety Department'' detailing the formation of the BBC.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> Later that same month, the six companies agreed that radio broadcasting within the United Kingdom would be best-suited under the operations of a joint venture.<ref name="atoz"/><ref name="fun"/><ref name="science"/> Thus, it led to the creation of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) in October 1922, with it received £100,000 in financial backing, £10,000 each provided by the big six.<ref name="fun"/><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> As a result, 2ZY was transferred under the BBC's control, although broadcasts would still emerge from Metropolitan Vickers’ Research Department.<ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> On 15th November, the first public broadcasts emerged.<ref name="science"/><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="fun"/> Later, 2ZY would broadcast ''Kiddies Corner'', the first UK program dedicated to children.<ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> 2LO meanwhile was officially airing coverage from 20th July 1922, having started experimental programming on 11th May that same year.<ref name="marconi">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Marconi/RqVHDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA493&printsec=frontcover ''Marconi'' summarising the launch of 2MT and 2LO.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/>
2ZY's origins dated back to 15th May 1922 when Metropolitan-Vickers (Metrovick) started conducting experimental broadcasts from a studio situated within its Metropolitan Vickers’ Research Department in Old Trafford.<ref name="atoz">[https://google.co.uk/books/edition/The_A_to_Z_of_British_Radio/wAEk9veAhpAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA50&printsec=frontcover ''The A to Z of British Radio'' summarising the founding of 2ZY, 2LO, and the BBC.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="science">[https://blog.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/100-years-bbc-manchester/ ''Science and Industry Museum'' detailing the formation of 2ZY.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> At the time, Metrovick was one of the six biggest radio manufacturers in the country, the others being Marconi, the General Electric Company, the Radio Communication Company, the Western Electric Company, and the British Thomson Houston Company.<ref name="fun">[https://google.co.uk/books/edition/Radio_Fun_and_the_BBC_Variety_Department/-_1uDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA15&printsec=frontcover ''Radio Fun and the BBC Variety Department'' detailing the formation of the BBC.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> Later that same month, the six companies agreed that radio broadcasting within the United Kingdom would be best-suited under the operations of a joint venture.<ref name="atoz"/><ref name="fun"/><ref name="science"/> Thus, it led to the creation of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) in October 1922, with it received £100,000 in financial backing, £10,000 each provided by the big six.<ref name="fun"/><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> As a result, 2ZY was transferred under the BBC's control, although broadcasts would still emerge from Metropolitan Vickers’ Research Department.<ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> On 15th November, the first public broadcasts emerged.<ref name="science"/><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="fun"/> Later, 2ZY would broadcast ''Kiddies Corner'', the first UK program dedicated to children.<ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/> 2LO meanwhile was officially airing coverage from 20th July 1922, having started experimental programming on 11th May that same year.<ref name="marconi">[https://google.co.uk/books/edition/Marconi/RqVHDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA493&printsec=frontcover ''Marconi'' summarising the launch of 2MT and 2LO.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="atoz"/><ref name="science"/>


Radio was in its infancy in Britain, with Marconi launching the first regular broadcast radio station 2MT on 14th February 1922.<ref name="marconi"/><ref name="science"/> Thus, no official celebrations of the New Year are known to have occurred on British radio until 1922 changed to 1923. While ''Radio Times'' had yet to start operations and thus could not list radio broadcasts during this time period, research from ''BBC Genome'' indicates that two radio stations had somewhat provided coverage celebrating the New Year.<ref name="2lo">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_rt_2lo/1922-12-31#at-23.50 ''BBC Genome'' detailing 2LO's coverage, including a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne".] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="2zy">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_rt_2zy/1922-12-31 ''BBC Genome'' detailing 2ZY's coverage, ending with "A Happy New Year and Good Morning".] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/faqs#span-of-the-data ''BBC Genome'' noting ''Radio Times'' did not start publishing until 1923.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> 2LO notably had Kenneth Ellis play "Auld Lang Syne" on the bass.<ref name="2lo"/> Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song connected to a poem Robert Burns wrote in 1788, being published posthumously in 1796.<ref name="auld">[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Auld-Lang-Syne ''Britannica'' detailing the origins of "Auld Lang Syne".] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> According to Burns, he had taken the words "from an old man's singing", this individual ultimately being lost to time.<ref name="auld"/> Since then, the song has traditionally been used in New Year celebrations, despite the song having no direct references to changing of the year.<ref name="auld"/> Aside from this, 2LO had Ellis play "Oh God our holy in ages past" on the bass, the bagpipes were played by Richard Marshall, while L. Stanton Jefferies finished off the broadcast with a piano solo.<ref name="2lo"/>
Radio was in its infancy in Britain, with Marconi launching the first regular broadcast radio station 2MT on 14th February 1922.<ref name="marconi"/><ref name="science"/> Thus, no official celebrations of the New Year are known to have occurred on British radio until 1922 changed to 1923. While ''Radio Times'' had yet to start operations and thus could not list radio broadcasts during this time period, research from ''BBC Genome'' indicates that two radio stations had somewhat provided coverage celebrating the New Year.<ref name="2lo">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_rt_2lo/1922-12-31#at-23.50 ''BBC Genome'' detailing 2LO's coverage, including a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne".] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="2zy">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_rt_2zy/1922-12-31 ''BBC Genome'' detailing 2ZY's coverage, ending with "A Happy New Year and Good Morning".] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/faqs#span-of-the-data ''BBC Genome'' noting ''Radio Times'' did not start publishing until 1923.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> 2LO notably had Kenneth Ellis play "Auld Lang Syne" on the bass.<ref name="2lo"/> Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song connected to a poem Robert Burns wrote in 1788, being published posthumously in 1796.<ref name="auld">[https://britannica.com/topic/Auld-Lang-Syne ''Britannica'' detailing the origins of "Auld Lang Syne".] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> According to Burns, he had taken the words "from an old man's singing", this individual ultimately being lost to time.<ref name="auld"/> Since then, the song has traditionally been used in New Year celebrations, despite the song having no direct references to changing of the year.<ref name="auld"/> Aside from this, 2LO had Ellis play "Oh God our holy in ages past" on the bass, the bagpipes were played by Richard Marshall, while L. Stanton Jefferies finished off the broadcast with a piano solo.<ref name="2lo"/>


2ZY's coverage was more extensive. Starting from 22:15, it would broadcast a variety of gramophone records from Sir Harry Lauder.<ref name="2zy"/> This included "A Wee Deoch An' Doris", "Bonnie Maggie Tamson", "The Last Rose of Summer", and "I’m going to get wed in the Summer", with Marche Funebre playing the piano.<ref name="2zy"/> Four minutes after the New Year arose, 2ZY broadcast a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne", with an apparent three cheers being given to the "Listeners-in" who were still eagerly present for the broadcast.<ref name="2zy"/> A rendition of the national anthem was played two minutes later, before a segment titled "A Happy New Year and Good Morning" was aired.<ref name="2zy"/> Not much is known about the final broadcast, although it would naturally be fair to assume it consisted of an announcer wishing viewers a successful 1923 starting from that point onwards. New Year celebrations would become more extensive over the years, especially as television arose. One of the earliest known BBC Television Service broadcasts dedicated to New Year celebrations occurred as 1946 changed to 1947.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_television_service/1946-12-31#at-23.30 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the BBC's coverage of it celebrating 1946 changing to 1947.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> A century following ''A Happy New Year and Good Morning'', the BBC along with other major UK channels provided significant coverage from both its radio and television platforms celebrating the beginning of 2023.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2022/bbc-new-years-eve-whats-on-iplayer-tv-radio-sounds ''BBC'' promoting its New Year's Eve coverage celebrating 2022 changing to 2023.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref>
2ZY's coverage was more extensive. Starting from 22:15, it would broadcast a variety of gramophone records from Sir Harry Lauder.<ref name="2zy"/> This included "A Wee Deoch An' Doris", "Bonnie Maggie Tamson", "The Last Rose of Summer", and "I’m going to get wed in the Summer", with Marche Funebre playing the piano.<ref name="2zy"/> Four minutes after the New Year arose, 2ZY broadcast a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne", with an apparent three cheers being given to the "Listeners-in" who were still eagerly present for the broadcast.<ref name="2zy"/> A rendition of the national anthem was played two minutes later, before a segment titled "A Happy New Year and Good Morning" was aired.<ref name="2zy"/> Not much is known about the final broadcast, although it would naturally be fair to assume it consisted of an announcer wishing viewers a successful 1923 starting from that point onwards. New Year celebrations would become more extensive over the years, especially as television arose. One of the earliest known BBC Television Service broadcasts dedicated to New Year celebrations occurred as 1946 changed to 1947.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_television_service/1946-12-31#at-23.30 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the BBC's coverage of it celebrating 1946 changing to 1947.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> A century following ''A Happy New Year and Good Morning'', the BBC along with other major UK channels provided significant coverage from both its radio and television platforms celebrating the beginning of 2023.<ref>[https://bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2022/bbc-new-years-eve-whats-on-iplayer-tv-radio-sounds ''BBC'' promoting its New Year's Eve coverage celebrating 2022 changing to 2023.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref>


==Availability==
==Availability==
Ultimately, the broadcasts occurred when radio recordings seldom occurred.<ref name="mcleod">[https://www.old-time.com/mcleod/mcleod3.html ''Documenting Early Radio'' noting no authenticated recordings exist between 1920 to 1922.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> In fact, research from Elizabeth McLeod as part of ''Documenting Early Radio'' found that no authenticated recordings from 1920 to 1922 are known to have survived.<ref name="mcleod"/> The oldest, as also affirmed by the National Archives, is President Woodrow Wilson's Armistice Day Speech in 1923.<ref>[https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2005/nr05-60.html ''National Archives'' stating that the oldest surviving regular radio recording is President Woodrow Wilson's 1923 Armistice Day Speech.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="mcleod"/> Thus, the New Year celebration broadcasts are most likely permanently missing.
Ultimately, the broadcasts occurred when radio recordings seldom occurred.<ref name="mcleod">[https://old-time.com/mcleod/mcleod3.html ''Documenting Early Radio'' noting no authenticated recordings exist between 1920 to 1922.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref> In fact, research from Elizabeth McLeod as part of ''Documenting Early Radio'' found that no authenticated recordings from 1920 to 1922 are known to have survived.<ref name="mcleod"/> The oldest, as also affirmed by the National Archives, is President Woodrow Wilson's Armistice Day Speech in 1923.<ref>[https://archives.gov/press/press-releases/2005/nr05-60.html ''National Archives'' stating that the oldest surviving regular radio recording is President Woodrow Wilson's 1923 Armistice Day Speech.] Retrieved 31st Dec '22</ref><ref name="mcleod"/> Thus, the New Year celebration broadcasts are most likely permanently missing.


==References==  
==References==  

Latest revision as of 19:48, 31 January 2023

Ahappynewyearandgoodmorning1.jpg

2ZY logo.

Status: Lost

A Happy New Year and Good Morning refers to coverage from BBC radio station 2ZY, which celebrated the beginning of 1923. It is one of the earliest-known broadcasts dedicated to New Year celebrations in the United Kingdom, alongside a smaller-scale 2LO broadcast.

Background

2ZY's origins dated back to 15th May 1922 when Metropolitan-Vickers (Metrovick) started conducting experimental broadcasts from a studio situated within its Metropolitan Vickers’ Research Department in Old Trafford.[1][2] At the time, Metrovick was one of the six biggest radio manufacturers in the country, the others being Marconi, the General Electric Company, the Radio Communication Company, the Western Electric Company, and the British Thomson Houston Company.[3][1][2] Later that same month, the six companies agreed that radio broadcasting within the United Kingdom would be best-suited under the operations of a joint venture.[1][3][2] Thus, it led to the creation of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) in October 1922, with it received £100,000 in financial backing, £10,000 each provided by the big six.[3][1][2] As a result, 2ZY was transferred under the BBC's control, although broadcasts would still emerge from Metropolitan Vickers’ Research Department.[1][2] On 15th November, the first public broadcasts emerged.[2][1][3] Later, 2ZY would broadcast Kiddies Corner, the first UK program dedicated to children.[1][2] 2LO meanwhile was officially airing coverage from 20th July 1922, having started experimental programming on 11th May that same year.[4][1][2]

Radio was in its infancy in Britain, with Marconi launching the first regular broadcast radio station 2MT on 14th February 1922.[4][2] Thus, no official celebrations of the New Year are known to have occurred on British radio until 1922 changed to 1923. While Radio Times had yet to start operations and thus could not list radio broadcasts during this time period, research from BBC Genome indicates that two radio stations had somewhat provided coverage celebrating the New Year.[5][6][7] 2LO notably had Kenneth Ellis play "Auld Lang Syne" on the bass.[5] Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song connected to a poem Robert Burns wrote in 1788, being published posthumously in 1796.[8] According to Burns, he had taken the words "from an old man's singing", this individual ultimately being lost to time.[8] Since then, the song has traditionally been used in New Year celebrations, despite the song having no direct references to changing of the year.[8] Aside from this, 2LO had Ellis play "Oh God our holy in ages past" on the bass, the bagpipes were played by Richard Marshall, while L. Stanton Jefferies finished off the broadcast with a piano solo.[5]

2ZY's coverage was more extensive. Starting from 22:15, it would broadcast a variety of gramophone records from Sir Harry Lauder.[6] This included "A Wee Deoch An' Doris", "Bonnie Maggie Tamson", "The Last Rose of Summer", and "I’m going to get wed in the Summer", with Marche Funebre playing the piano.[6] Four minutes after the New Year arose, 2ZY broadcast a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne", with an apparent three cheers being given to the "Listeners-in" who were still eagerly present for the broadcast.[6] A rendition of the national anthem was played two minutes later, before a segment titled "A Happy New Year and Good Morning" was aired.[6] Not much is known about the final broadcast, although it would naturally be fair to assume it consisted of an announcer wishing viewers a successful 1923 starting from that point onwards. New Year celebrations would become more extensive over the years, especially as television arose. One of the earliest known BBC Television Service broadcasts dedicated to New Year celebrations occurred as 1946 changed to 1947.[9] A century following A Happy New Year and Good Morning, the BBC along with other major UK channels provided significant coverage from both its radio and television platforms celebrating the beginning of 2023.[10]

Availability

Ultimately, the broadcasts occurred when radio recordings seldom occurred.[11] In fact, research from Elizabeth McLeod as part of Documenting Early Radio found that no authenticated recordings from 1920 to 1922 are known to have survived.[11] The oldest, as also affirmed by the National Archives, is President Woodrow Wilson's Armistice Day Speech in 1923.[12][11] Thus, the New Year celebration broadcasts are most likely permanently missing.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 The A to Z of British Radio summarising the founding of 2ZY, 2LO, and the BBC. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Science and Industry Museum detailing the formation of 2ZY. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Radio Fun and the BBC Variety Department detailing the formation of the BBC. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Marconi summarising the launch of 2MT and 2LO. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 BBC Genome detailing 2LO's coverage, including a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne". Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 BBC Genome detailing 2ZY's coverage, ending with "A Happy New Year and Good Morning". Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  7. ↑ BBC Genome noting Radio Times did not start publishing until 1923. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Britannica detailing the origins of "Auld Lang Syne". Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  9. ↑ BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues detailing the BBC's coverage of it celebrating 1946 changing to 1947. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  10. ↑ BBC promoting its New Year's Eve coverage celebrating 2022 changing to 2023. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Documenting Early Radio noting no authenticated recordings exist between 1920 to 1922. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
  12. ↑ National Archives stating that the oldest surviving regular radio recording is President Woodrow Wilson's 1923 Armistice Day Speech. Retrieved 31st Dec '22
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