Radio Times and Museum of London to stage a new exhibition marking 90th anniversary of the TV and radio listings magazine

London’s leading museum and the world’s longest running television and radio listings magazine partner for Cover Story: Radio Times at 90 - a free exhibition opening on Friday 2 August-Sunday 3 November 2013.

Cover Story: Radio Times at 90 celebrates the history of Radio Times and showcases some of its iconic covers from the last nine decades, which reflect the story of broadcasting in Britain. The covers featured comprise a veritable who’s who of British broadcasting, including Tony Hancock, The Goon Show, Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Call The Midwife.

The exhibition will take visitors from the BBC’s first radio transmission in London to today’s multi-channel offer, through landmark broadcasts, archive clips, broadcast artefacts and original Radio Times photography and artwork, including pieces by CRW Nevinson, John Gilroy and influential British graphic designer Abram Games.

The exhibition also features an exclusive Doctor Who display, a Radio Times regular since 1964 that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Visitors will be able to become a cover star for themselves, alongside a genuine life-size Dalek against a backdrop of Westminster Bridge, recreating the famous 2005 “Vote Dalek” Radio Times cover. This was voted most iconic cover of all time in the Periodical Publishers Association’s Great Cover Debate in 2008.

Other highlights include an illuminating original 1941 Luftwaffe Stadtplan von London map (attached) which plots Radio Times’ Waterlows printing plant in Park Royal, London, as a Nazi air-raid target alongside transport hubs, factories and landmarks. Radio Times staff had been moved to the plant from central London at the beginning of the war, and the plant, which also printed fellow BBC magazine The Listener, became a target as part of the war on propaganda. Vital to Britain’s war effort, the BBC and its journal Radio Times became strategically important targets for Nazi bombers attacking London. The map was found by an American air force intelligence officer called Captain Andrew Wilson at the Fritzlar airbase in Germany in 1944.

Ben Preston, Radio Times Editor, said, “To flick through the covers of Radio Times over the past 90 years is to watch a popular history of Britain unfold: Royal weddings; Coronations; the outbreak of war and peace; moon landings and even a victorious World Cup, household names created and stars born - all have graced the cover of Radio Times. No other magazine can rival Radio Times for showcasing the work of some of the nation’s finest artists and photographers, creating unforgettable magazine covers that resonate today. In our 90th year, it is fantastic to work with the Museum of London to celebrate Radio Times heritage and continued success.”

Jim Gledhill, Museum of London Curator said, “The history of broadcasting in Britain has strong associations with London as the birthplace of the BBC. Radio Times has been an integral part of this history, so it is fitting that the Museum of London mark its 90th anniversary.”

Sharon Ament, Museum of London Director added, “Some of the most momentous moments from Radio Times’ considerable cannon will be on our walls. That’s not only rather splendid but totally apt as this publication has its roots in London and has been a large part of much of our culture for the past 90 years. No sitting room was without this magazine; it was a weekly ritual to pore over its pages.

At the Museum of London we tell the story of the world’s greatest city and its people, and it is Londoners who have led the way as both the producers and consumers of broadcast media. Now Radio Times has a significant presence in another sort of living room - that of a vibrant and buzzing museum. I can’t wait for it to open.”

Throughout the Radio Age, the birth of colour TV and the 21st Century explosion of digital channels, Radio Times has innovated and prospered. Along the way it has showcased Britain’s finest broadcasters, writers, illustrators and photographers; including JB Priestley, Eric Fraser, Edward Ardizzone and Sir Peter Blake.

First published by the BBC in London on 28 September 1923, Radio Times has had a long, illustrious life, documenting popular culture in TV and radio and national events watched by millions. Owned by Immediate Media Co since 2011, Radio Times remains relevant in the digital age as Britain’s best-selling quality magazine with almost 900,000 weekly sales and 3 million monthly visitors to RadioTimes.com.

Cover Story: Radio Times at 90 is free to visitors, and is open from Friday 2 August 2013 until Sunday 3 November 2013 at the Museum of London.

This is one of two exhibitions this year at the Museum of London which focuses on the London’s media. Later in the year, the museum will host the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards 2013, opening in November.


About the Museum of London

Museum of London, Museum of London Docklands and Museum of London Archaeology seek to inspire a passion for London. The Museums are open daily 10am – 6pm and are FREE to all.

Explore the Museum of London with Collections online - home to over 12,000 objects with more being added.

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About Radio Times


Radio Times is the UK’s biggest selling quality magazine, selling an average 893,500 copies a week and being read by over 2.3 million people. It is the bible for the best television, radio and film coverage; with exclusive interviews with the biggest names in the business, behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive photo shoots and detailed listings for over 100 85 digital TV and radio channels. Radio Times has a wealth of critics, each renowned experts in their fields, delivering incisive recommendations to the best broadcasting has to offer every week. Radiotimes.com reaches 3 million unique users a month, and Radio Times’ Guide to Film book is the market leading title.


About Immediate Media Co
Immediate Media Co was formed on 1 November 2011 following the merger of BBC Magazines, Origin Publishing and Magicalia. With an exciting mix of market-leading brands, great talent and technology expertise, the company combines a strong publishing heritage with digital platforms and entrepreneurial flair. Its wholly-owned brands include Radio Times, olive, Homes & Antiques and highly successful specialist titles including Perfect Wedding and Prima Baby and Pregnancy. It publishes BBC Top Gear, BBC Good Food, BBC EasyCook on behalf of BBC Worldwide and a number of other titles, including BBC History, Gardeners’ World, Focus and the CBeebies portfolio, under licence. It publishes Lonely Planet Traveller magazine for NC2 Media. The company also publishes leading digital brands such as MadeForMums.com, loveyourhair.com and visordown.com. With 845 staff in London and Bristol, Immediate Media Co has over 1 million subscribers, a brand reach of over 11 million UK consumers and revenues of £150m per annum. It is owned by Exponent Private Equity.

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