The Paranoid Purge: BBC's Archive Wiping Practices in the 1970s

The early days of broadcasting in the 1970s saw a significant shift in the way television archives were managed, particularly in the United Kingdom. This was a time when resources were scarce, and the focus on new programming often meant that older shows were destined for oblivion. One of the most notable victims of this practice was the BBC, which famously destroyed much of its archive, including episodes of Doctor Who and other iconic series. Let's delve into the reasons behind this practice and its impact on broadcasting history.

A Common Practice in Early Broadcasting

During the 1960s and 1970s, the destruction of television archives was a common practice, not just limited to the BBC but also prevalent across many broadcasters. Storage was expensive, and there was a limited amount of space. As a result, old recordings were often wiped or destroyed to make room for new programming. This was a time when there was a lack of perception of value in keeping old shows, as people saw them as outdated once they had aired.

Noteable Victims of the Archive Purge

Doctor Who: A significant number of episodes from the original series (1963-1989) fell victim to this practice, particularly those from the first two decades. Approximately 97 episodes are currently missing. Top of the Pops: Many iconic music performances from this show, particularly from the 1970s and 1980s, are now lost. numerous episodes of The Avengers, Dad's Army, and the police drama Z-Cars have also been wiped. Additionally, many episodes of children's show The Magic Roundabout are now missing, especially in its original French version.

Reasons for the Loss

Cost: There was little perceived value in keeping old shows, as they were seen as outdated once they had aired. Storage: Tape storage was expensive, forcing networks to prioritize newer content over older programs. Preservation Awareness: There was a lack of awareness about the cultural and historical significance of these shows, which has since changed.

A Growing Interest in Media Preservation

In recent years, there has been a significant shift. Efforts have been made to recover and restore lost episodes where possible. This has led to a growing interest in media preservation, with organizations and enthusiasts working to rescue these lost treasures.

Evolution of Video Tape Usage

The mindset of viewing video tape as a temporary safety net rather than a means to preserve shows was slow to change. Before the invention of video recording, television programmes were performed live, similar to theatre shows. If a Saturday night drama was repeated the following Wednesday, the entire cast and crew had to go back into the studio and perform the show again!

Initially, video tape was a tool to record the original as it was transmitted live and show it as a repeat. However, this eventually led to the idea of using video tape for retakes and ensuring that the show was broadcast faultlessly. The mindset that video tape was for ephemeral live performances continued for a long time before the idea of using it for long-term preservation took hold.

Today, the importance of preserving these archived materials is widely recognized. Many efforts are being made to recover and restore lost episodes, ensuring that these valuable pieces of cultural history are not lost forever.

Summary: The 1970s saw a widespread destruction of television archives by the BBC and other broadcasters. This was driven by a combination of cost concerns, lack of storage space, and a perceived lack of value in preserving old shows. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards media preservation, with significant efforts being made to recover and restore lost episodes. This evolution highlights the cultural and historical significance of these shows and the importance of safeguarding our broadcasting heritage.