BBC Tests Skegness Signal Strength for TV Broadcast

Written by Angela Gooch on February 19th, 2008 in Social History.

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TV DIRECT FROM SKEGNESS ?
TESTS BY B.B.C. FROM SEAFRONT SITE
BUT RESULT SECRET

OFFICIALS of Skegness Foreshore Department were still waiting on Tuesday to hear the result of tests carried out in the resort last week by engineers of the B.B.C.’s Television Outside Broadcast Department.
The tests were to determine whether or not a signal of sufficient strength could be beamed from Skegness into the national network, and if successful it will mean that for the first time there will be the possibility of direct television broadcasts from the town.
The portable reflector tower set up near the Embassy was one of a series of three, it is understood between the town and the Holme Moss transmitter. The immediate object was to test the possibility of a transmission from Skegness for a holiday feature programme later in the season ; but the success of the tests would mean that obstacles which previously stood in the way of transmissions from the resort would be removed.
Negotiations with a view to securing a broadcast from Skegness have been going ahead for some time.
The resort has featured in direct broadcasts on sound radio on a number of occasions and has also been featured on television, but only through the medium of film taken locally and sent to the B.B.C. at Manchester.

“Private” Report?
Last Thursday’s tests have been shrouded in secrecy to some degree for it is understood that they were the subject of a report to the Council during the private session which followed public business on Wednesday.
This report was made by the Foreshore Director (Mr. Willan G. Bosworth), but Mr. Bosworth was unable to comment on the result of the tests.
He said that he is expecting to hear more when he is visited by an official of the Outside Broadcast Department, and would make an announcement later.
If successful the tests will place Skegness on a footing almost similar to that of west coast resorts and others who are nearer to the transmitter. Blackpool, for example, has permanent “reflector” apparatus on an ideal spot—the famous tower itself. On the East Coast, Great Yarmouth is much better situated for such broadcasts.
Hopes of local experts are not high. They point out that even the smallest factors can affect the strength of signals transmitted over such distances as were involved in the recent tests.
The fact that the B.B.C. were willing to attempt such a transmission, however, seems a point in the resort’s favour. Indications are that the chances of success or failure are about even.
Pictures were certainly being received from Skegness, but it is their quality which will be the subject of further report.

1958 local news story