The Alpha Television Studios have from the beginning been a centre of professional skill, of television craft. From the floors and through the controls, from the planners, the producers and the crews, have come good television programmes, both bright and thoughtful, some heading for the network, some building a link between all those who live in the Midlands, and between them and Independent Television.

Alpha is part of the life of the Midlands. Perhaps that is the most important thing about it. From the start, it has been the policy of the ITA to spread television, not to let it grow only in London, with the rest of the country at the passive receiving end, but to create centres of regional television life, with Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Southampton, Newcastle, Norwich and Belfast as television towns.

Alpha was the first big step in this policy: and what a success it has been.

The post Sir Robert Fraser OBE appeared first on THIS IS ALPHA from Transdiffusion.

Providing entertainment for such a public was not an easy task and it is no easier today now that I am concerned with television programmes instead of the music hall. That is why I find it most rewarding to know that the Midlands has the highest I.T.A./B.B.C. viewing ratio in the country. It means that we are still on the right lines so far as Midland viewers are concerned and we know that you will soon tell us when we are not.

The Midland studios have now become part of the life of the Midlands, and I am delighted to be associated with this website which tells of the work behind the scenes. I feel it will contribute towards a better appreciation of the programmes presented from Aston and of the work of the technicians, directors and artistes who work there.

The post Val Parnell appeared first on THIS IS ALPHA from Transdiffusion.

From these studios we have presented many programmes on the national network as well as on our Midland channel — programmes ranging from variety to the teenage youth club programme ‘Sunday Break’ which was first produced here, and many of the Saturday afternoon serials, religious discussion programmes, musicals and new talent shows like ‘Bid for Fame’. Currently we are presenting from these studios amongst other programmes, the quiz show “For Love or Money” and with A.T.V., the biggest networking operation in this country, “Let’s Go”, in fact everything from a simple Epilogue to an elaborate play has been, and will continue to be produced in these compact studios.

Alpha enjoys a reputation for being the busiest studio of its size in the country, and the skill, enthusiasm and determination of all its staff is equal to that of any television studio in the world.

We of A.B.C. Television are proud to be part of the Alpha Television Studios.

The post Howard Thomas appeared first on THIS IS ALPHA from Transdiffusion.