'Well, gentlemen, you have now invented the biggest time-waster of all time. Use it well.' So said Isaac Shoenberg to his development team at EMI following a successful demonstration of their first electronic television camera in 1934. Over three-quarters of a century later, the Emitron camera he was referring to forms part of the world's largest collection of television technology, housed at the National Media Museum.

However, the story of television begins decades before EMI's technological achievement. Our collection takes you back to the late 19th century, when television was just a dream of inventors and the word 'television' didn't even exist. In our archive we have the Inventions and discoveries that were to become the building blocks of television as we know it today.

The television collection continues to represent the development of the medium from the first flickering 30-line pictures, through to digital high definition pictures broadcast around the world. This fascinating story is illustrated with over 200 objects from the collection in our new gallery, Experience TV.

Experience TV also explores the impact and influence of the ever expanding medium, exploring the first 'shared experiences' and questioning its impact on our lives today.

In TV Heaven programmes from all genres highlight television's continuing ability to 'inform, educate and entertain.'

Television Collections

Our Television Collection
Explore an online selection of the Museum’s extensive Television collection.

What's On

TV Heaven Talk:
The Fab Four in TV Heaven
Friday 22 August
An afternoon celebrating the work of The Beatles begins with a screening of The Music of Lennon and McCartney. First broadcast in 1965 and introduced by John and Paul, the programme features a range of acts performing Beatles hits, including Lulu, Henry Mancini, Marianne Faithful and Cilia Black.

Experience TV

Experience TV
Experience TV is the Museum’s permanent gallery telling the story of television.

Evolve

Evolve
Evolve is the flexible temporary exhibition space, currently displaying Digital Switchover, sponsored by by Pace Micro Technology plc..

Television Events

TV Heaven

TV Heaven
Over 900 programmes can be viewed free of charge. Search our database and see if the programme you want to watch is available before you visit TV Heaven

Resources