Introducing television to Australia, 1956

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Introduction

Television was introduced into Australia in September 1956. Since then it has had a major impact on the lifestyles of all Australians. This introduction was controlled largely by government policy, and derived from the findings of the Royal Commission on Television.

The Royal Commission (1953–1954) was established to report on matters such as the number of national commercial television stations which could be effectively established and operated and the standards to be observed in programs to ensure the best use of television broadcasting in the public interest.

This fact sheet identifies records held by the National Archives that were created by agencies actively involved in introducing television into Australia.

Records relating to the introduction of television into Australia

Canberra – Royal Commission on Television (CA 2641)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Transcripts of proceedings – by sessions 1953 CP357/1
Transcripts of proceedings in chronological sequence 1953 CP357/2
Transcripts of proceedings, in camera 1953 CP357/3
Summaries of evidence on major issues 1953 CP357/4
Copies of exhibits (not including confidential exhibits) 1953 CP357/5
Exhibits – confidential 1953 CP357/6
Working papers – including drafts of report and printer's copies 1953–54 CP357/9
Files opened by the Commission 1953–54 CP357/10

Canberra – Department of the Senate (CA691) and VS Vincent (CP196)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Personal papers mainly relating to Senate Select Committee on the encouragement of Australian productions for television 1954–64 AA1980/216

Canberra – Prime Minister's Department (CA 12)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Correspondence files 1951–55 A462
Correspondence files 1956–ongoing A463

Canberra – Secretary to the Cabinet/Cabinet Secretariat [I] (CA 3)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Menzies and Holt Ministries – Cabinet files 'C' 1949–67 A4940

Canberra – Attorney-General's Department, Central Office (CA 5)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Correspondence files 1929–ongoing A432

Sydney – Australian Broadcasting Commission, Head Office (CA 251)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
General files and other records relating to external enquiries involving the ABC 1932–ongoing C1737
Press cuttings and written publicity, general television and radio 1938–68 SP1011/2
Photographs – Miscellaneous personalities: TV, radio, stage, concert artists etc, including some publicity matter in regard to television 1940–68 SP1011/1
General correspondence files [Talks Department] 1943–ongoing C1979
(A) General correspondence and policy files and (B) special subject files 1949–54 SP341/1
ABC audience research reports (radio and television) 1950–70 SP1044/1
Correspondence files relating to television 1955–73 C1574
Correspondence files re television programs 1955–ongoing C2218
Correspondence – television 1955–65 SP727/2
Correspondence re television 1955–63 SP724/2
Correspondence re television programs 1955–74 SP1299/2

Sydney – Bobby Limb (CP 504)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Program and script for the first television broadcast in Australia 1956–ongoing M2529

Melbourne – Royal Commission on Television (CA 2641)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Exhibits and transcripts of evidence 1953–54 MP1228/3

Melbourne – Australian Broadcasting Control Board, Head Office (CA 124)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
General correspondence (TR/5/– relates to the Royal Commission on Television) 1931–60 MP544/2
Policy and general matters regarding broadcasting 1949–70 MP1170/3
Anderson Analysis Radio – surveys for all cities and country areas 1944–63 MP634/1
Booklets containing results of radio and television audience surveys (also known as McNair/Anderson reports) 1949–77 B2591
Policy and general in regards to television 1949–70 MP1170/4
Television inquiries – exhibits including applications 1953–58 MP1228/4
Correspondence files 1956–82 B3430
Anderson Analysis Television – surveys for all cities 1957–63 MP634/2
Television station files relating to technical, programming and licence aspects, which are of historical nature to Australian television media 1955–70 B2152