Social History of British Broadcasting

Paddy Scannell was educated at Ratcliffe and Wadham College, Oxford. He is one of the founding editors of the journal Media Culture and Society. David Cardiff at Eton and New College, Oxford. Both have worked since the late sixties, at the University of Central London, teaching media studies in the School of Communication, and have written many articles on broadcasting.

"Their work promises to change irreversibly our perception of both the history of British broadcasting and of its place in the wider political, cultural and social history of Britain." Sight and Sound "This admirably balanced new study . . . deserves the attention of lay readers as well as scholars . . an important piece of work." The Independent on Sunday". . . an impressive volume . . . informed by concepts." The Guardian"This is a quite outstanding book: a social history of radio broadcasting in Britain up to 1939. It is a work of sustained scholarship but, although more that 150,000 words long, an immensely enjoyable read." Tom Nossiter, London School of Economics." A truly magisterial work, unlikely to be bettered for a generation." Screen

• Preface. Introduction.1. Public Service Broadcasting part 1.Part I: Broadcasting and Politics: .2. The Containment of Controversy.3. The Management of News and Political Debate.4. Broadcasting and Unemployment.5. Broadcasting and Foreign Affairs.Part II: The Production of Information: News, Features and Talks:.6. News Values and Practices.7. Features and Social Documentaries.8. Forms of Talk.Part III: The Production of Entertainment and Culture: Music and Variety:.9. Music Policy.10. Musical Tastes.11. Time and Money, Entertainment and Culture.12. Styles of Variety.Part IV: Broadcasting and its Audiences:.13. The National Culture.14. Local and Regional Broadcasting.15. Manchester and its Programmes.16. The Listener.Bibliography and References.Footnotes.