1954 in British television

This is a list of British television related events from 1954.

Events

11 January – The first weather forecast with an in-vision presenter is televised in the United Kingdom, its first presenter is George Cowling.

9 April – The Grove Family, generally considered the first British TV soap opera, debuts on the BBC Television Service.
21 April – Running Wild on the BBC marks the debut of Morecambe and Wise on British television.

5 July – First actual news bulletin, News and Newsreel, aired on the BBC Television Service, replacing Television Newsreel.
30 July – The Television Act 1954 is given Royal Assent. It authorises the setting up of the infrastructure for British commercial television.

7 October – BBC Television covers a party political conference for the first time when it broadcasts from the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool.

12 November – The BBC opens Rowridge transmitting station on the Isle of Wight, bringing television coverage to the Solent area.

12 December – The BBC Television Service screens its acclaimed adaptation of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, adapted by Nigel Kneale and starring Peter Cushing. The Sunday broadcast proves controversial however and attracts some criticism in the House of Commons. Screened live, a second production takes place 4 days later.
21 December – The BBC begins broadcasting the first series of nature documentary Zoo Quest, the first major programme to feature David Attenborough as a presenter.
30 December – The first BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony is presented from London's Savoy Hotel. Christopher Chataway is the first winner. The award airs annually from now on.
The British Academy Television Awards, the most prestigious awards in the British television industry, are first awarded.

The Halls of Ivy

6 January – John Sparkes, comedian
20 February – Anthony Head, actor
16 March – Jimmy Nail, actor and singer
17 March – Lesley-Anne Down, actress
28 April – Mary Jo Randle, actress
9 May – Nicholas Crane, geographer and TV presenter
21 June – Anne Kirkbride, actress
16 July – Nicholas Frankau, actor
21 August – Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
26 August – Steve Wright, broadcaster
27 August – Andrew Marshall, scriptwriter
8 September – Anne Diamond, journalist and television presenter
24 September
*Helen Lederer, comedian and actress
*Martin Sixsmith, journalist, author and radio and television presenter
3 October – Jeff Randall, journalist and television presenter
14 October – Carole Malone, journalist and presenter
19 October – Ken Stott, actor
24 November – Susan Gilmore, actress
1 December – Alan Dedicoat, newsreader and the National Lottery's "Voice of the Balls"
5 December – Hanif Kureishi, novelist and screenwriter
22 December – Hugh Quarshie, actor