1948 in British radio
This is a list of events from British radio in 1948.
Events
January
- 3 January – Sports Report, the world's longest-running sports radio programme, debuts on the BBC Light Programme.
- 5 January – The first episode of Mrs Dale's Diary, the first significant British radio serial drama, is broadcast on the Light Programme.
- 28 January – The Copleston–Russell debate, a debate between Bertrand Russell and Frederick Copleston on the existence of God, is broadcast by the BBC.
February
- No events.
March
- 23 March – Radio comedy Take It from Here, written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden and starring Jimmy Edwards, is first broadcast on the Light Programme; this first series is set in a fictitious commercial radio station office.
April
- 12 April – Philosopher C. E. M. Joad is caught travelling by train without a valid ticket which ends his career as a BBC Radio broadcaster.
- 21 April – Ralph Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 6 is premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult at the Royal Albert Hall in London and broadcast on the Home Service.
May to September
- No events.
October
- 12 October – Topical debate programme Any Questions? is first broadcast on the West of England Home Service chaired by Freddie Grisewood; originally intended to run for six fortnightly editions only, it will still be on the air weekly 75 years later.
November
- No events.
December
- 26 December – The first series of the BBC's annual Reith Lectures, Bertrand Russell on Authority and the Individual, begins broadcasting on the Home Service.
- 28 December – For the second series of Take It from Here, writers Muir and Norden begin to adopt its familiar three-part sketch show format.
Undated
- Steuart Wilson becomes head of music at the BBC and Harman Grisewood replaces George Barnes as controller of the BBC Third Programme.
Debuts
- 3 January – Sports Report
- 5 January – Mrs Dale's Diary
- 23 March – Take It from Here
- 1 May – Top of the Form
- 12 October – Any Questions?
- ''The McCooeys''
Programme endings
- 29 March – ''Monday Night at Eight''
Continuing radio programmes
1930s
- ''In Town Tonight''
1940s
Music While You Work Sunday Half Hour Desert Island Discs Family Favourites Down Your Way Have A Go Housewives' Choice Letter from America Woman's Hour- ''Twenty Questions''
Births
- 8 March – Gyles Brandreth, writer, broadcaster and politician
- 14 April – Rob Cowan, classical music presenter
- 29 May – Michael Berkeley, composer and classical music broadcaster
- 9 June – Nick Clarke, news presenter
- 18 June – Philip Jackson, actor
- 25 August – Harriett Gilbert, radio arts presenter
- 30 August – Robin Lustig, radio news presenter
- 13 December – Andy Peebles, DJ
- 22 December – Noel Edmonds, broadcast presenter and producer
- Paul Lewis, financial broadcaster