Image: an off-screen photograph showing the 1937 broadcast as seen by viewers.
The Wimbledon Tennis Championships was televised for the first time in June 1937. For the young television service this was an important event, providing coverage of a popular sport at a time when interest in it was high following Fred Perry's victories in the 3 previous championships. In the event the Men's final was won by the American Don Budge, but the technical achievement of bringing the live outside broadcast into viewer's homes was great.
The broadcasts from the Centre Court featured commentary by Freddie Grisewood and John Snagge. The Radio Times explained the challenges of the broadcasts, highlighting their pioneering nature. Microphones had to be positioned so as to pick up the sound, yet be protected from the elements and out of vision. It also emphasised that events - captured on Emitron cameras - were seen as they happened.
The BBC's coverage of Wimbledon extends back to 1927, when the first radio commentary was broadcast. The popularity of sport has ensured it has always remained at the forefront of innovations in broadcasting, with Wimbledon used to entice viewers and listeners. The championships were one of the first programmes broadcast in colour in 1967. Today Wimbledon is broadcast across all platforms on the BBC.
Further reading
Wimbledon and the BBC: 1927-20172017 saw the BBC celebrate 90 years since the first radio broadcast from Wimbledon, 80 years since the first TV broadcast, and 50 years since the first colour TV broadcast of The Championships.
Oh, I Say! Wimbledon and the BBC Charles Runcie looks back at the enduring relationship between the BBC and Wimbledon and some of the events and characters that helped shape it.
June anniversaries
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The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II2 June 1953
Mock the Week5 June 2005
Real Lives 5 June 1984
D-Day broadcasts6 June 1944
Till Death Us Do Part 6 June 1966
First broadcast of Crimewatch UK 7 June 1984
Steptoe and Son 7 June 1962
Driving School 10 June 1997
Last programme from Lime Grove Studios 13 June 1991
The Basil Brush Show 14 June 1968
Blackadder 15 June 1983
Yesterday's Men 17 June 1971
De Gaulle's first broadcast to France 18 June 1940
Parkinson first broadcast 19 June 1971
First female newsreader in vision 20 June 1960
Wimbledon first televised 21 June 1937
Royal Family first transmitted 21 June 1969
Music While You Work 23 June 1940
Our World 25 June 1967
Opening of Television Centre 29 June 1960
