The TV Times archive is now online

Discover the stars and stories of telly's golden era and relive your favourite childhood memories with iconic television listings magazine TV Times, the latest addition to our ever-expanding newspaper archive.

The most comprehensive digital archive of TV Times from 1955 to 1980 is now fully searchable online on Findmypast and our sister site, the British Newspaper Archive. We'll add issues from 1981 to 2009 in due course, extending this unique insight into British history and culture into the 21st century.

TV Times joins Findmypast as part of our partnership with publishing giant Future, the name behind market-leading media brands and some of the world's most popular titles. The fascinating Country Life was also added to the Findmypast newspaper collection through this exciting collaboration, with more to come. 

The TV Times archive offers a fascinating glimpse into what our relatives were watching over the decades, but it's also a goldmine of social history and pop culture. Editions from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s capture the era's most iconic moments, including the rise of rock 'n' roll, the moon landing, and Margaret Thatcher's historic election as Britain's first female Prime Minister.

TV Times, 19 July 1969. Explore the full issue.

With the online archive, you can relive the nostalgia of classic TV shows from your past, such as Take Your Pick, On the Buses, and The Avengers. You can also explore the history of long-running favourites like Coronation Street and Thunderbirds. 

TV Times, 21 June 1973. Explore the full issue.

It also offers fascinating glimpses into the stars who shone on the small screen across the generations, with in-depth features on everyone from the Royal Family to Dick Van Dyke, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Beatles. 

The history of TV Times magazine 

TV Times first hit newsstands on 22 September 1955, just as ITV launched its new television station. By 1960, it was selling over four million copies a week. Initially, the publication only covered London. However, as ITV expanded across the country, TV Times introduced regional editions and became a nationwide publication in 1968. 

For 27 years, TV Times only listed ITV shows. BBC Radio Times, on the other hand, included listings for BBC stations. Our relatives would've had to buy both magazines to get a complete overview of their weekly TV viewing. Channel 4 programming was added to TV Times when it launched in 1982, but it wasn't until deregulation in 1991 that the main TV magazines could list shows for all channels. 

The first issue

TV Times launched with its 40-page first edition in September 1955, the same day ITV started broadcasting. The front cover showcased actresses Patricia Dainton and Lucille Ball, who were profiled inside.

TV Times first edition, September 1955. Explore the full issue.

The introduction at the start of the publication heralded its arrival as;

Highlights in the first issue included photos of Gracie Fields, Norman Wisdom, and Tony Hancock, a guide on why television sets and aerials needed to be adjusted to receive ITV, as well as articles on sport and children's programmes. 

ITV listings for Saturday 24 September 1955. Explore more.

Must-watch TV that week included Hands About the House, Sports Club and ‘Round the World with Orson Welles.

Whether you're a TV history buff or just curious about British culture from days gone by, TV Times sheds light on the shared moments that shaped Britain and its people. In his 2013 book, An Introduction to Television Studies, Jonathan Bignell perfectly captures the benefits of exploring the archive of this famous magazine;

What was your family watching in post-war Britain? How did their favourite TV programmes influence their worlds? Delve into the TV Times archive to gain a deeper understanding.

About the author

Niall Cullen