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Royal Television Society

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Royal Television Society
AbbreviationRTS
Formation7 September 1927; 97 years ago (1927-09-07)
TypeTelevision organisation
HeadquartersLondon, EC4
United Kingdom
Region served
United Kingdom and Ireland
Membership5030 (2019)[1]
Official language
English
Royal Patron
Charles III
Chief executive
Theresa Wise
Websitewww.rts.org.uk

The Royal Television Society (RTS) is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present, and future. It is the oldest television society in the world. It currently has fourteen regional and national centres in the UK, as well as a branch in the Republic of Ireland.

History

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The group was formed as the Television Society on 7 September 1927,[2] a time when television was still in its experimental stage. Regular high-definition (then defined as at least 200 lines) broadcasts did not even begin for another nine years until the BBC began its transmissions from Alexandra Palace in 1936.[3]

In addition to serving as a forum for scientists and engineers, the society published regular newsletters charting the development of the new medium. These documents now form important historical records of the early history of television broadcasting.

The society was granted its Royal title in 1966.[4] The Prince of Wales became patron of the Society in November 1997.[5]

Activities

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The society regularly holds meetings and seminars, attended by members of the public and professionals from various areas of the television industry, and it also publishes the monthly magazine Television, covering a broad range of television topics.

Major events held by the RTS include the biennial RTS Cambridge Convention,[6] a three-day event held at King's College, Cambridge. The convention, chaired by one of the UK's major broadcasters, brings together influential figures from the television industry for a series of stimulating talks.

The RTS also hosts "Anatomy of a Hit" events, which gather together the writers, cast and commissioner of some of Britain's most successful TV shows to discuss their qualities. Recent programmes discussed have included Sherlock,[7] Doctor Who,[8] and Humans.[9]

The society also holds a substantial archive of printed, photographic, and audio-visual material of value to television historians and scholars.

Awards

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Each year, the Royal Television Society hosts six United Kingdom wide national award ceremonies, as well as 21 regional award ceremonies, as of 2024, across 14 nations and regions in the British Isles.[10]

National Awards

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  • RTS Programme Awards[11]
  • RTS Craft & Design Awards[12]
  • RTS Television Journalism Awards[13]
  • RTS Student Television Awards,[14] in addition to regional student awards shown in next section
  • RTS Young Technologist Awards,[15] given to those seen as potential future leaders in broadcasting technology
  • RTS Pilgrim Awards,[16] acknowledging the outstanding work of RTS volunteers

Regional Awards

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  • RTS Cymru/Wales Awards[17]
  • RTS Devon and Cornwall Student Awards[18]
  • RTS East Awards[19] / RTS East Student Awards[20]
  • RTS London Student Awards[21]
  • RTS Midlands Awards[22] / RTS Midlands Student Awards[23]
  • RTS North East and The Borders Awards[24]
  • RTS North West Awards[25] / RTS North West Student Awards[26]
  • RTS Northern Ireland Awards[27]
  • RTS Republic of Ireland Awards[28] / RTS Republic of Ireland Student Awards[29]
  • RTS Technology Centre Awards[30]
  • RTS Scotland Awards[31] / RTS Scotland Student Awards[32]
  • RTS Southern Awards[33] / RTS Southern Student Awards[34]
  • RTS West of England Awards[35]
  • RTS Yorkshire Awards[36] / RTS Yorkshire Student Awards[37]

RTS Futures

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RTS Futures was launched in 2007[38] to help people in the early stages of their television careers. RTS Futures offers the opportunity to meet with senior industry professionals, such as series producers and commissioners, as well as their peers in the television industry. RTS Futures hosts a wide range of talks and training sessions aimed at helping young people progress in the business. Recent events have included How to be the Best Researcher and the RTS Futures Entry Level Training Fair.

Presidents of the Society

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There have been 19 presidents of the Society, from its founding in 1927 through to 2016; since October 2016, the position has been left vacant.[39][a]

Notelist

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  1. ^ Contrary to the simple list at the RTS website (as of March 2025) stating that Peter Bazalgette held the position until 2017,[39] the RTS 2016 Annual Report specifically states that he stepped down in September 2016.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Annual Report (2019)" (PDF). rts.org.uk. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Television, Fame and New Discoveries". Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Alexandra Palace | The birthplace of television". BBC.
  4. ^ "Creative Week 2015 partners". Archived from the original on 27 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Prince of Wales Patronages; Prince of Wales". princeofwales.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  6. ^ "RTS Conferences". 10 October 2018.
  7. ^ Bell, Matthew (5 March 2014). "Sherlock: Anatomy of a Hit event report". Royal Television Society.
  8. ^ Bell, Matthew (12 November 2014). "Doctor Who: Anatomy of a Hit event report". Royal Television Society.
  9. ^ Clarke, Steve (28 October 2015). "Humans: Anatomy of a Hit event report". Royal Television Society.
  10. ^ "RTS in my Area | Nations and Regions". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  11. ^ "RTS Programme Awards".
  12. ^ "RTS Craft & Design Awards".
  13. ^ "RTS Television Journalism Awards".
  14. ^ "RTS Student Television Awards".
  15. ^ "RTS Young Technologist Award".
  16. ^ "RTS Pilgrim Awards".
  17. ^ "Regional Awards | Gwobrwyon RTS Cymru Wales Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  18. ^ "Student Awards | RTS Devon and Cornwall Student Television Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  19. ^ "Regional Awards | RTS East Programme Awards 2024 - Winners Announced". Royal Television Society. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Student Awards | RTS East Student Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  21. ^ "Student Awards | RTS London Student Television Awards 2019". Royal Television Society. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  22. ^ "Regional Awards | RTS Midlands Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  23. ^ "Student Awards | RTS Midlands Student Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  24. ^ "Regional Awards | RTS North East and The Borders Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  25. ^ "Regional Awards | RTS NW Awards 2024 - The Winners". Royal Television Society. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  26. ^ "Student Awards | RTS NW Student Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  27. ^ "Regional Awards | The Winners of the RTS Northern Ireland Awards 2024 are ..." Royal Television Society. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  28. ^ "Regional Awards | The RTS Ireland Television Awards 2024 | Gradaim RTS 2024". Royal Television Society. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  29. ^ "Student Awards | Republic of Ireland Student Television Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  30. ^ "Regional Awards | Technology Centre Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  31. ^ "Regional Awards | The RTS Scotland Television Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  32. ^ "Student Awards | RTS Scotland Student Television Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  33. ^ "Regional Awards | RTS Southern Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  34. ^ "Student Awards | RTS Southern Student Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  35. ^ "Regional Awards | West of England Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  36. ^ "Regional Awards | RTS Yorkshire Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  37. ^ "Student Awards | RTS Yorkshire Student Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  38. ^ Parker, Robin (6 September 2007). "Duncan to lead RTS drive for young talent". Broadcast.
  39. ^ a b "Presidents of the Society" (PDF). Royal Television Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  40. ^ a b "II: Governance & Finance". 2016 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Royal Television Society. p. 56. Retrieved 19 March 2025. Section 5 Administrative details ... President: Sir Peter Bazalgette – stepped down on 27 September 2016
  41. ^ Forgan, Liz (22 December 2009). "Sir Bob Phillis obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
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