This is a list of events from British radio in 1950.

Contents

• Events
• Debuts
• Continuing radio programmes
• 1930s
• 1940s
• Births
• See also
• References

Events

• 29 May – The Archers pilot episodes debut on BBC radio, aired on the Midlands opt-out of the BBC Home Service; ^[1] the series will still be running 75 years later.
• 6 June – the BBC Light Programme first broadcasts Educating Archie , featuring ventriloquist Peter Brough and his schoolboy dummy Archie Andrews (sic.); the series runs for 10 years and averages 15 million listeners. ^[2]
• 5 November – the BBC Light Programme first broadcasts Life with the Lyons , the UK's first sitcom, featuring British-domiciled American couple Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels.
• 3 December – the BBC Light Programme first broadcasts the magazine and variety programme Calling All Forces featuring Ted Ray; his catchphrase "You should use stronger elastic" originates. ^[3]
• Gracie Fields' radio show transfers from the BBC to Radio Luxembourg, where it is sponsored by Wisk soap powder.

Debuts

• 16 January – Listen with Mother , on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1982) ^[2]
• 6 June – Educating Archie , on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1960)
• 7 June – The Archers , pilot episode (1950–Present)
• 5 November – Life with the Lyons , on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1961)
• 3 December – Calling All Forces, on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1952)

Continuing radio programmes

Births

• 2 February – Libby Purves, radio presenter.
• 12 May – Jenni Murray, journalist, presenter of Woman's Hour
• 5 June – Jonathan Fryer, foreign correspondent, writer and politician (died 2021)
• 8 July – Sarah Kennedy, radio presenter
• Bob Oliver Rogers, comedy producer (died 1979)

See also

• 1950 in British music
• 1950 in British television
• 1950 in the United Kingdom
• List of British films of 1950

References