Sub Basement - BB - Broadcasting House in 1932



Studio BB was meant for use by the BBC Dance Orchestra.

above left -
The studio seen from the balcony

above right -
The balcony, which was accessed from the basement.

right -
The balcony seen from the studio floor.

Used by dance bands and chamber groups and also intended for vocal recitals, BB was 29' x 18' x 19' high, a volume of 10,000 cu. ft. The reverberation time was 0.85 seconds. It had only a single microphone and two gramophone points.

The studio was used for early experimental television broadcasts, the first being on the 22nd August, 1932. A plaque on the lobby wall, since removed, recorded this event. By 1933 four half-hour programmes were broadcast each week. In February 1934 production moved to a new and larger studio at 16 Portland Place. The studio was then used by Henry Hall and the BBC Dance Orchestra for many live Empire Service broadcasts. It was later renamed S1.



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