Alexandra Palace has been awarded world origin site status as the birthplace of broadcast television in the UK.

November marks 90 years since the British Broadcasting Corporation – now better known as the BBC – made its first televised broadcast from the hilltop landmark, making it the first regular public high-definition television service in the world.

On that day, Leslie Mitchell addressed audiences in their homes with the now-famous words: ‘This is direct television from the studios at Alexandra Palace.’

On November 2, a plaque commemorating the milestone was unveiled in Ally Pally’s east court.

A series of events titled ‘BBC TV 90 at Ally Pally’ has already begun at the entertainment and sports venue this autumn.

This includes screenings, talks and performances celebrating the pioneering spirit that made the historic site what it is and transformed broadcasting forever.

Kirsten Forrest, curatorial and interpretation manager at Alexandra Palace, said: ‘Receiving the world origin site plaque is a wonderful recognition of Alexandra Palace’s place in broadcasting history.

‘What began here in 1936 went on to change the way people across the world experience news, entertainment and culture.

‘It’s an extraordinary part of our history, and the plaque helps keep that story alive and at the forefront of the cultural conversation.’

Matt Brittin, BBC Director-General, said in a post on LinkedIn: ‘Innovation to serve audiences defined the BBC from the start.

‘We must tap into that pioneering spirit to re-imagine the BBC for the future.’

Today, the venue is run by a charity and hosts a range of theatre performances, gigs and sporting events. 

But long before it became a destination of London’s arts and culture scene, it played a pivotal role in transforming how audiences were entertained at home.

The history of Ally Pally

The site was originally chosen to host the BBC’s first televised broadcast in large part because of its height – the building, located between Wood Green and Muswell Hill, famously sits atop a large hill overlooking London.

The transmitter tower fixed on top of Alexandra Palace allowed engineers to get the aerial to the height they needed – around 180m above sea level.

This gave the aerial the best possible chance to broadcast television signals across London, to the approximately 200 television sets that existed in 1936.

The first broadcast drew a roughly 500-strong audience. By today’s standards, it would be considered blurry and flickery – but at the time, it was considered high definition and groundbreaking.

Having powerful, experimental transmitters and television studios together in one building had some unusual results.

During test transmissions in August 1936, staff in the canteen discovered that the electrical energy generated by the new equipment could make sparks fly from their cutlery, with some versions of the story claiming they held forks together deliberately to cause the phenomenon.

Not only was Alexandra Palace the birthplace of broadcast television, but it also inspired entire genres and television formats – many of which remain staples today.

The BBC’s first televised election results programme was in 1950 with Richard Dimbleby at the helm.

Beginning at 10.45pm on February 23, the programme brought election results and analysis into people’s homes as events unfolded for the very first time.

On November 21, 1936, Cecil Henry Middleton presented In the Garden from a purpose-built garden at Alexandra Palace, establishing the gardening show format for television that remains familiar to audiences today.

Many of the most influential people in those early days of television broadcasting were women.

The BBC’s most popular pre-war magazine-style programme was hosted by Canadian actress Joan Miller, while Jasmine Bligh and Elizabeth Cowell were among the BBC’s first television announcers.

But in many ways, broadcasting also looked very different then.

Gerald Cock, director of television back then, was a strong advocate for breaks between broadcasts, as he believed this would prevent audiences from straining their eyes.

Schedules were carefully designed so as not to impact domestic life. This meant nothing was broadcast during mealtimes and children’s bedtimes.

For 20 years, Ally Pally was the BBC’s primary production centre. It housed studios, dressing rooms, scenery stores and technical facilities.

It continued to be used for BBC news broadcasts until 1969 and for the Open University in 1981.

Fast forward 90 years on and the transmitter fixed on top of Ally Pally remains the BBC’s most visible broadcasting landmark and a feat of engineering and television history.

The tower may not be in active use anymore, but it’s now routinely used to celebrate anniversaries, events and charitable causes ultimately bring the nation together just like it was designed to do 90 years ago.

MORE: Strictly star ‘in considerable pain’ after being forced to pull out of Saturday night’s show

MORE: The UK speaks out on return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece

MORE: Ancient padlock found in shipwreck treasure finally cracked solving 400-year mystery