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Cultural highlights of 1956

Television: UK
New shows
• Armchair Theatre (ABC Television for the ITV network, from September after a trial in July). Often high quality and strikingly original drama.
Listen to the introductory announcement
• Opportunity Knocks (Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network). Talent show, hosted by Hughie Green, the audience's response being registered on the 'clapometer' but the verdict was based on viewers' postal votes. It runs until 1977. [An early winner was a bodybuilder who could ripple his muscles in time to the pop instrumental Wheels. Yes, it was that good!]
• What the Papers Say (Granada Television for the ITV network, from 5 November). First of the long-running weekly review of the British press. The introductory music is English Dance no 5 by Malcolm Arnold.

Radio shows: UK
Single productions
• Mathry Beacon by Giles Cooper (BBC Third Programme, 18 June).
 

Television: US
New shows
• As the World Turns (from 2 April). Soap.
• Edge of Night (from 2 April). Soap.
• The Huntley-Brinkley Report (NBC, from 29 October). Current affairs.

Chronomedia 1956