imported>Vareloco: /* Activities */ +file: "Television" magazine front cover

2025-08-15T21:00:45Z

Activities: +file: "Television" magazine front cover

← Previous revision		Revision as of 21:00, 15 August 2025
Line 44:		Line 44:

	==Activities==		==Activities==
			[[File:Vol. 1, No. 1. "Television" magazine front cover.jpg\|thumb\|upright=0.75\|Vol. 1, No. 1. ''Television'' magazine front cover]]
	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.		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.

imported>John of Reading: /* Notes */ Switched to a reader-friendly section name, replaced: Notelist → Notes

2025-07-01T14:56:34Z

Notes: Switched to a reader-friendly section name, replaced: Notelist → Notes

← Previous revision		Revision as of 14:56, 1 July 2025
Line 111:		Line 111:
	}}		}}

	==~~Notelist~~==		==Notes==
	{{notelist}}		{{notelist}}

imported>Jmg38: /* Presidents of the Society */ template

2025-03-20T15:24:57Z

Presidents of the Society: template

New page

{{Short description|British educational charity, founded 1927}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2014}}

{{Infobox organization
| name = Royal Television Society
| image = Royal Television Society logo.png
| image_size =
| caption =
| abbreviation = RTS
| motto =
| formation = {{start date and age|1927|09|07|df=yes}}
| extinction =
| type = Television organisation
| status =
| purpose =
| headquarters = [[London]], {{postcode|EC|4}}<br>United Kingdom
| location =
| region_served = [[United Kingdom]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| membership = 5030 <small>(2019)</small><ref name="AR2019">{{cite web |title=Annual Report (2019) |url=https://rts.org.uk/sites/default/files/imce/rts_annual_report_2019_0.pdf |website=rts.org.uk |access-date=15 January 2021 |date=2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121202342/https://rts.org.uk/sites/default/files/imce/rts_annual_report_2019_0.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2021 }}</ref>
| language = English
| leader_title = Royal Patron
| leader_name = [[Charles III]]
| leader_title2 =
| leader_name2 =
| leader_title3 = Chief executive
| leader_name3 = Theresa Wise
| main_organ =
| affiliations =
| num_staff =
| num_volunteers =
| budget =
| website = {{URL|http://www.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==
The group was formed as the '''Television Society''' on 7 September 1927,<ref>{{cite web|title=Television, Fame and New Discoveries|url=http://www.teletronic.co.uk/john_baird_6.htm|access-date=6 January 2016|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809220203/http://www.teletronic.co.uk/john_baird_6.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 television station|Alexandra Palace]] in 1936.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alexandra Palace {{!}} The birthplace of television|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/buildings/alexandra-palace|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Creative Week 2015 partners|url=http://www.creativeweek.co.uk/2015/partners/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227235800/http://www.creativeweek.co.uk/2015/partners/|archive-date=27 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Prince of Wales]] became patron of the Society in November 1997.<ref name=Prince-Wales>{{cite web|url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/patronages |title=Prince of Wales Patronages; Prince of Wales |website=princeofwales.gov.uk |access-date=16 November 2015}}</ref>

==Activities==
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,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/rts-conferences |title=RTS Conferences|date=10 October 2018 }}</ref> 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 (TV series)|Sherlock]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/article/sherlock-anatomy-hit-–-event-report-and-video |title=Sherlock: Anatomy of a Hit event report|first=Matthew|last=Bell|publisher=Royal Television Society|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> ''[[Doctor Who]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/article/doctor-who-anatomy-hit-0 |title=Doctor Who: Anatomy of a Hit event report|first= Matthew |last=Bell
|publisher=Royal Television Society|date=12 November 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Humans (TV series)|Humans]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/article/humans-–-anatomy-hit |title=Humans: Anatomy of a Hit event report|first=Steve|last= Clarke|publisher=Royal Television Society|date=28 October 2015}}</ref>

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

==Awards==
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]].<ref name="RTS-Regional-Awards">{{cite web |title=RTS in my Area {{!}} Nations and Regions |publisher=Royal Television Society |url=https://rts.org.uk/region/ |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>

===National Awards===
*[[Royal Television Society Programme Awards|RTS Programme Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/awards/programme-awards |title=RTS Programme Awards}}</ref>
*[[Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards|RTS Craft & Design Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/awards/craft-design-awards |title=RTS Craft & Design Awards}}</ref>
*RTS Television Journalism Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/awards/television-journalism-awards |title=RTS Television Journalism Awards}}</ref>
*RTS Student Television Awards,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://rts.org.uk/awards/student-television-awards |title=RTS Student Television Awards}}</ref> in addition to regional student awards shown in next section
*RTS Young Technologist Awards,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/awards/young-technologist-award |title=RTS Young Technologist Award}}</ref> given to those seen as potential future leaders in broadcasting technology
*RTS Pilgrim Awards,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/awards/pilgrim-awards |title=RTS Pilgrim Awards}}</ref> acknowledging the outstanding work of RTS volunteers

===Regional Awards===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*RTS Cymru/Wales Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} Gwobrwyon RTS Cymru Wales Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-04-12 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/gwobrwyon-rts-cymru-wales-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Devon and Cornwall Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS Devon and Cornwall Student Television Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-14 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-devon-cornwall-student-television-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS East Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} RTS East Programme Awards 2024 - Winners Announced |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-06-21 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-east-programme-awards-2024-winners-announced |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS East Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS East Student Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-01 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-east-student-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS London Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS London Student Television Awards 2019 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2019-02-06 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-london-student-awards-2019 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Midlands Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} RTS Midlands Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-11-29 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/midlands-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS Midlands Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS Midlands Student Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-04-17 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-midlands-student-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS North East and The Borders Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} RTS North East and The Borders Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-02-24 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-north-east-and-borders-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS North West Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} RTS NW Awards 2024 - The Winners |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-11-22 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-nw-awards-2024-winners |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS North West Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS NW Student Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-20 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-nw-student-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Northern Ireland Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} The Winners of the RTS Northern Ireland Awards 2024 are ..... |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-11-14 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/winners-rts-northern-ireland-awards-2024-are |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Republic of Ireland Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} The RTS Ireland Television Awards 2024 {{!}} Gradaim RTS 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-19 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-ireland-television-awards-2024-gradaim-rts-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS Republic of Ireland Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} Republic of Ireland Student Television Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-02-28 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/republic-ireland-student-television-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Technology Centre Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} Technology Centre Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-07-03 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/technology-centre-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Scotland Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} The RTS Scotland Television Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-13 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-scotland-awards-2024-0 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS Scotland Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS Scotland Student Television Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-20 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-scotland-student-television-awards-2024-0 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Southern Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} RTS Southern Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-05-17 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-southern-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS Southern Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS Southern Student Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-05-17 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-southern-student-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS West of England Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} West of England Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-04-21 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-west-england-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
*RTS Yorkshire Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Awards {{!}} RTS Yorkshire Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-10-11 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-yorkshire-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>{{\}}RTS Yorkshire Student Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Awards {{!}} RTS Yorkshire Student Awards 2024 |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=2024-03-06 |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-yorkshire-student-awards-2024 |access-date=2025-03-19}}</ref>
}}

==RTS Futures==
RTS Futures was launched in 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/duncan-to-lead-rts-drive-for-young-talent/121577.article |title=Duncan to lead RTS drive for young talent|first=Robin|last=Parker|date=6 September 2007|website=[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]}}</ref> 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==
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.<ref name=Presidents>{{cite web |title=Presidents of the Society |publisher=Royal Television Society |url=https://rts.org.uk/sites/default/files/imce/rts_presidents_of_the_society_from_1927.pdf |access-date=2025-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320054643/https://rts.org.uk/sites/default/files/imce/rts_presidents_of_the_society_from_1927.pdf |archive-date=2025-03-20 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Contrary to the simple list at the RTS website (as of March 2025) stating that [[Peter Bazalgette]] held the position until 2017,<ref name=Presidents/> the RTS 2016 Annual Report specifically states that he stepped down in September 2016.<ref name=RTSAR2016/>}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Richard Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane|Lord Haldane of Cloan]] PC (1927–1928)
*[[John Ambrose Fleming|Sir Ambrose Fleming]] FRS (1928–1945)
*[[Robert Renwick, 1st Baron Renwick|Sir Robert Renwick]] Bt KBE (1945–1954)
*Sir [[Vincent Ziani de Ferranti|Vincent Ferranti]] MC (1954–1957)
*[[George Barnes (BBC controller)|Sir George Barnes]] (1958–1960)
*[[Harold Bishop (engineer)|Sir Harold Bishop]] CBE (1961–1962)
*[[Robert Fraser (ITV)|Sir Robert Fraser]] OBE (1963–1964)
*Sir Neil Sutherland CBE MA FIEE (1965–1966)
*[[B. V. Bowden, Baron Bowden]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1965 |title=Lord Bowden—the New President |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Royal_Television_Society_Journal/krgpAQAAMAAJ |journal=The Royal Television Society Journal |volume=11 |page=[https://books.google.ca/books?id=krgpAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gb_mobile_entity&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&hl=en&gl=CA&ovdme=1&redir_esc=y#Bowden 190]}}</ref> (1967–1972)
*[[Aubrey Buxton, Baron Buxton of Alsa|Aubrey Buxton]] MC (Lord Buxton MC DL) (1973–1977)
*[[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|Duke of Kent]] GCMG GCVO ADC (1977–1979)
*[[Huw Wheldon|Sir Huw Wheldon]] OBE MC (1979–1986)
*[[Paul Fox (television executive)|Sir Paul Fox]] CBE (1986–1992)
*[[Bill Cotton]] CBE (1992–1995)
*[[Michael Grade]] (1995–1997)
*[[Jeremy Isaacs|Sir Jeremy Isaacs]] (1997–2000)
*[[Will Wyatt]] CBE (2000–2004)
*[[Bob Phillis|Sir Robert Phillis]] (2004–2009)<ref>{{cite news|title=Sir Bob Phillis obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/dec/22/sir-bob-phillis-obituary|access-date=7 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|first=Liz|last=Forgan|author-link=Liz Forgan|date=22 December 2009}}</ref>
*[[Peter Bazalgette|Sir Peter Bazalgette]] (2010–2016)<ref name=RTSAR2016>{{cite report |title=2016 Annual Report |chapter=II: Governance & Finance |publisher=Royal Television Society |page=56 |url=https://rts.org.uk/sites/default/files/annual-reports/rts-annual-report-2016.pdf |access-date=2025-03-19 |quote=Section 5 Administrative details ... President: Sir Peter Bazalgette – stepped down on 27 September 2016}}</ref>
}}

==Notelist==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{official website}}

{{Media in the United Kingdom|comporg}}

[[Category:1927 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British television awards]]
[[Category:Educational charities based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organisations based in the City of London]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1927]]
[[Category:Television organisations in the United Kingdom]]

Royal Television Society - Revision history

imported>Vareloco: /* Activities */ +file: "Television" magazine front cover

imported>John of Reading: /* Notes */ Switched to a reader-friendly section name, replaced: Notelist → Notes

imported>Jmg38: /* Presidents of the Society */ template