Special Events
'Well, gentlemen, you have now invented the biggest time-waster of all time. Use it well.' So said Isaac Shoenberg to his development team at EMI following a successful demonstration of their first electronic television camera in 1934. Over three-quarters of a century later, the Emitron camera he was referring to forms part of the world's largest collection of television technology, housed at the National Media Museum.
However, the story of television begins decades before EMI's technological achievement. Our collection takes you back to the late 19th century, when television was just a dream of inventors and the word 'television' didn't even exist. In our archive we have the Inventions and discoveries that were to become the building blocks of television as we know it today.
The television collection continues to represent the development of the medium from the first flickering 30-line pictures, through to digital high definition pictures broadcast around the world. This fascinating story is illustrated with over 200 objects from the collection in our new gallery, Experience TV.
Experience TV also explores the impact and influence of the ever expanding medium, exploring the first 'shared experiences' and questioning its impact on our lives today.
In TV Heaven programmes from all genres highlight television's continuing ability to 'inform, educate and entertain.'
Television Collections
Our Television Collection
Explore an online selection of the Museum’s extensive Television collection.
Evolve
Evolve
Evolve is the flexible temporary exhibition space, currently displaying the story of satellite TV, sponsored by by Pace Micro Technology plc..
Experience TV
Experience TV
Experience TV is the Museum’s permanent gallery telling the story of television.
TV Heaven
TV Heaven
Over 900 programmes can be viewed free of charge. Search our database and see if the programme you want to watch is available before you visit TV Heaven.
Resources
Television Events
- Tomorrow
TV Heaven Talk: Up Pompeii - Thu, 8 Apr
TV Heaven Talk: The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Fri, 23 Apr
TV Heaven Talk: The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Thu, 6 May
TV Heaven Talk: Sitcom, Satire and Spin - Fri, 21 May
TV Heaven Talk: Sitcom, Satire and Spin - Thu, 3 Jun
TV Heaven Talk: Big Brother is Watching You - Fri, 18 Jun
TV Heaven Talk: Big Brother is Watching You - Thu, 8 Jul
TV Heaven Talk: Nostalgic Children’s Television - Fri, 23 Jul
TV Heaven Talk: Nostalgic Children’s Television - Thu, 5 Aug
TV Heaven Talk: Schools Out - Fri, 20 Aug
TV Heaven Talk: Schools Out