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Nationwide

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4 Extra Debut. Paul Jackson’s story of pioneering Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ current affairs TV show Nationwide. With Sue Lawley and Michael Barratt. From 2013.

What was the impact and legacy of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s popular current affairs programme that launched Sue Lawley’s TV career, and spawned the birth of TV consumer journalism?

Series in which Paul Jackson celebrates innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history.

Paul talks to Nationwide’s first presenter, Michael Barratt and the first director, Keith Clement, who recall the early technical mishaps which threatened to take it off air. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ circuit system wasn’t quite up to speed with the technical ambition of the programme. When linking to Glasgow, viewers would see wavy lines and hear technical clunks. But within six months, and ever increasing audience numbers, the programme found its feet.

Popular across the nation because of its inclusion of the regions, Sue Lawley explains its success. She also recalls THAT interview with Mrs Thatcher when housewife, Mrs Diana Gould persisted in questioning the prime minister on the decision to sink Argentinian war ship, Belgrano when it 'was sailing away' during the Falklands War.

Producer: Sarah Taylor.

First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in May 2013.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 Sep 2019 05:30

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 4 May 2013 10:30
  • Mon 10 Aug 2015 23:30
  • Sat 7 Sep 2019 07:30
  • Sat 7 Sep 2019 17:30
  • Sun 8 Sep 2019 05:30