Up to the Hour was a programme on BBC Radio 4 that ran from May 1977 to June 1978. There were two editions every weekday morning, each 25 minutes long and finishing at 7am and 8am respectively (hence the title). Both parts were followed by the Today programme, which during this period was also broadcast in two parts. Rather than hire a separate presenter, the programme was presented by the duty announcer. The first presenter was Laurie Macmillan,[1] the last John Marsh;[2] other presenters included Peter Donaldson, Harriet Cass, Peter Jefferson and future television newsreader Moira Stuart.
In 1977 the then-controller of Radio 4, Ian McIntyre, cut the length of a number of news and current affairs programmes, in the belief that this would improve their overall quality. In the case of the breakfast programme Today, the reduction from two hours to one was achieved by splitting the programme into two.[4] The gaps created were filled by Up to the Hour, which consisted of lighter items such as music, sport and trailers for upcoming programmes. It also incorporated the existing religious slot, Thought for the Day.
The new format was unpopular with BBC staff, including Peter Donaldson who on at least one occasion openly ridiculed the programme on air.[5] It also provoked comments in the diary columns of the daily newspapers. From July 1978 Today returned to its previous length and Up to the Hour was dropped.[6]
Referencesedit
^"BBC Radio 4 FM - 2 May 1977". BBC Genome Project. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
^"BBC Radio 4 FM - 30 June 1978". BBC Genome Project. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
^McCreary, Matthew (17 December 2009). "He's still blowing strong at 70". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
^Abramsky, Jenny (25 November 2002). "Public Service Radio: Phoenix or Albatross - the James Cameron Memorial Lecture". BBC Press Office. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
^"'Voice of Radio 4' Peter Donaldson dies at 70". BBC News. 3 November 2015.
hour, programme, radio, that, from, 1977, june, 1978, there, were, editions, every, weekday, morning, each, minutes, long, finishing, respectively, hence, title, both, parts, were, followed, today, programme, which, during, this, period, also, broadcast, parts. Up to the Hour was a programme on BBC Radio 4 that ran from May 1977 to June 1978 There were two editions every weekday morning each 25 minutes long and finishing at 7 am and 8 am respectively hence the title Both parts were followed by the Today programme which during this period was also broadcast in two parts Rather than hire a separate presenter the programme was presented by the duty announcer The first presenter was Laurie Macmillan 1 the last John Marsh 2 other presenters included Peter Donaldson Harriet Cass Peter Jefferson and future television newsreader Moira Stuart Up to the HourGenreMagazineRunning time60 minutes in two 30 minute parts Country of originUnited KingdomLanguage s EnglishHome stationBBC Radio 4Hosted byLaurie Macmillan John Marsh Peter Donaldson Harriet Cass Peter Jefferson Moira Stuart and othersOriginal release2 May 1977 30 June 1978Opening themeTambourinEnding themeTambourinThe original theme tune was Tambourin by Francois Joseph Gossec performed by James Galway 3 History editIn 1977 the then controller of Radio 4 Ian McIntyre cut the length of a number of news and current affairs programmes in the belief that this would improve their overall quality In the case of the breakfast programme Today the reduction from two hours to one was achieved by splitting the programme into two 4 The gaps created were filled by Up to the Hour which consisted of lighter items such as music sport and trailers for upcoming programmes It also incorporated the existing religious slot Thought for the Day The new format was unpopular with BBC staff including Peter Donaldson who on at least one occasion openly ridiculed the programme on air 5 It also provoked comments in the diary columns of the daily newspapers From July 1978 Today returned to its previous length and Up to the Hour was dropped 6 References edit BBC Radio 4 FM 2 May 1977 BBC Genome Project Retrieved 11 November 2014 BBC Radio 4 FM 30 June 1978 BBC Genome Project Retrieved 11 November 2014 McCreary Matthew 17 December 2009 He s still blowing strong at 70 Belfast Telegraph Retrieved 27 July 2010 Abramsky Jenny 25 November 2002 Public Service Radio Phoenix or Albatross the James Cameron Memorial Lecture BBC Press Office Retrieved 27 July 2010 Voice of Radio 4 Peter Donaldson dies at 70 BBC News 3 November 2015 Purves Libby 23 October 2007 Today turns 50 Times Online Retrieved 27 July 2010 nbsp nbsp This article about a radio show or programme in the United Kingdom is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Up to the Hour amp oldid 1163392660, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
