<P> After a series of test transmissions and special broadcasts that began in August 1936 , the BBC Television Service officially launched on 2 November 1936 from a converted wing of Alexandra Palace in London . `` Ally Pally '' housed two studios , various scenery stores , make - up areas , dressing rooms , offices , and the transmitter itself , which then broadcast on the VHF band . BBC television initially used two systems on alternate weeks : the 240 - line Baird intermediate film system and the 405 - line Marconi - EMI system . The use of both formats made the BBC 's service the world 's first regular high - definition television service ; it broadcast from Monday to Saturday between 15 : 00 and 16 : 00 , and 21 : 00 and 22 : 00 . The first programme broadcast -- and thus the first ever , on a dedicated TV channel -- was `` Opening of the BBC Television Service '' at 15 : 00 . The first major outside broadcast was the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in May 1937 . </P>
<P> After a series of test transmissions and special broadcasts that began in August 1936 , the BBC Television Service officially launched on 2 November 1936 from a converted wing of Alexandra Palace in London . `` Ally Pally '' housed two studios , various scenery stores , make - up areas , dressing rooms , offices , and the transmitter itself , which then broadcast on the VHF band . BBC television initially used two systems on alternate weeks : the 240 - line Baird intermediate film system and the 405 - line Marconi - EMI system . The use of both formats made the BBC 's service the world 's first regular high - definition television service ; it broadcast from Monday to Saturday between 15 : 00 and 16 : 00 , and 21 : 00 and 22 : 00 . The first programme broadcast -- and thus the first ever , on a dedicated TV channel -- was `` Opening of the BBC Television Service '' at 15 : 00 . The first major outside broadcast was the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in May 1937 . </P>
in the mid 1930s the bbc started broadcasting from which london landmark
in the mid 1930s the bbc started broadcasting from which london landmark
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace