Our World(1967 TV program)
| Our World | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Genre | TV special |
| Created by | Aubrey Singer |
| Written by | Antony Jay |
| Opening theme | "Our World theme" |
| Composer | Georges Delerue |
| Country of origin | Various |
| Original language | Various |
| Production | |
| Production location | Various |
| Cinematography | Monochrome |
| Running time | 2 hours |
| Original release | |
| Network | Various |
| Release | 25 June 1967 |
Our Worldwas the first live multinational multi-satellitetelevision production. National broadcasters from fourteen countries around the world, coordinated by theEuropean Broadcasting Union(EBU), participated in the program. The two-hour event, which was broadcast on Sunday 25 June 1967[a]in twenty-four countries, had an estimated audience of 400 to 700 million people, the largest television audience up to that date. Fourcommunications satelliteswere used to provide worldwide coverage. This broadcast was a technological milestone in television broadcasting.
Creative artists, including opera singerHeather Harper,film directorFranco Zeffirelli,conductorLeonard Bernstein,sculptorAlexander Calderand painterJoan Mirówere invited to perform or appear in separate live segments, each of them produced by one of the participant broadcasters. The most famous segment is one from the United Kingdom starringthe Beatlesperforming their song "All You Need Is Love"for the first time.
Planning
[edit]
The project was conceived byBritish Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) producerAubrey Singer.Due to the magnitude of the production, its coordination was transferred to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), with Singer as the project's head.[1]
Four communications satellites were used to televise the show around the world. Thesegeosynchronous orbitsatellites includedIntelsat I(known as "Early Bird" ) andIntelsat II F-3( "Canary Bird" ). Both satellites were positioned over different parts of the Atlantic Ocean.Intelsat II F-2( "Lani Bird" ) andNASA'sATS-1were positioned over different parts of the Pacific Ocean to complete global coverage.
Nineground stationswere utilized to send and receive signals from the satellites.[b]The EBU'sEurovisionpoint-to-pointcommunications network was used within that continent. These signals were monitored and manipulated by technical and production teams in 43 control rooms that linked North America, Europe, Tunisia, Japan and Australia in real time.[1]
Themaster controlroom for the broadcast was the TC1studio control roomat theBBC Television Centrein London. Contributions from North America, Japan and Australia were routed to London by theCBS Switching Centerin New York. It was rented because none of the big-three American networks was directly involved with the broadcast. Contributions from continental Europe and Tunisia were routed to London by the EBU Centre in Brussels.
These centres were also in charge of distributing the live master feed from London to the broadcasters in their assigned area. To illustrate the introductory segments, a large set was built at BBC's TC1 studio, which was operated by the TC2 studio control room. To solve language issues, each receiving broadcaster had its own narrator – such asCliff MichelmoreatBBC, orJames DibbleatABC– reading in their own language the script written byAntony Jay.Since the contributions from the participating broadcasters were in their native language, a team of interpreters located at BBC's TC2 studio provided simultaneous translation into English, French and German to the receiving broadcasters, where local commentators voiced-over in their own language the original sound from other broadcasters when in another language.[2]
It took 10 months and 10,000 technicians, producers and performers to bring everything together. The ground rules included that no politicians or heads of state could participate in the broadcast. In addition, everything had to be live, so no use of videotape or film was permitted. All participants had to have full knowledge of what was going to be included and the sole reason for including an item would be program balance, not geographical or political concerns.[3][4]
In the dress rehearsal, conducted the day before broadcast, the head of the production noticed that in violation of one of the ground rules, the Mexican broadcaster had pre-recorded their main segment. They included singers, dancers and a flock of white doves taking off right on cue and attempted to pass it off as live. Replicating that scene for the actual broadcast was impossible. So, it was decided to show some of the performers watching their taped performance live on monitors.[1]
Participants
[edit]Fourteen national broadcasters participated in the program, which was transmitted live to 24 countries, with an estimated audience between 400 and 700 million people. Eighteen national broadcasters were intended to participate, but those of theEastern Bloccountries[c]–Czechoslovakia,East Germany,Hungary,Polandand theSoviet Union– pulled out four days before the broadcast in protest of the Western nations' response to theSix-Day War.Due to this withdrawal, a request was made to the Danish broadcaster, which was not originally a participant, for a contribution.[3][2]
Broadcast
[edit]Each broadcaster had an explanatory pre-transmission introduction from their studios to their viewers – such as the introduction by Cliff Michelmore at BBC's TC5 studio in London forBBC1,the one by James Dibble at ABC's studio 23 in Sydney forABC-TVand the interview to philosopherMarshall McLuhanat thetelevision control roomin Toronto forCBC Television– just before connecting to the live master feed from London at 7:00 p.m. GMT.
The program was divided into six sections: the Opening, This Moment's World, The Crowded World, Aspiration to Physical Excellence, Aspiration to Artistic Excellence and The World Beyond. These sections were divided into live segments provided by the participating broadcasters. Just before The Crowded World section, another section was scheduled – The Hungry World. But, due to the withdrawal of the Eastern Bloc countries' segments, that section was eventually removed and its remaining segments were incorporated into The Crowded World section.[2]
Opening
[edit]The opening credits were accompanied by the "Our World theme" played by theVienna Philharmonicand sung in seventeen different languages by theVienna Boys' Choir.[e][8]
The program began with an introduction from the BBC's TC1 studio in London and went on attending the births of four children in the delivery rooms atHokkaido UniversityHospital inSapporo,Japan;[f]atAarhus University HospitalinAarhus,Denmark;[g]at Hospital de Obstetricia III inMexico City,Mexico –reported byPedro Ferriz–;[h]and, atCharles Camsell HospitalinEdmonton,Canada – reported by the CBC's Libbie Christensen.[i]
This Moment's World
[edit]Back in BBC's TC1 studio in London, a journey around the world was begun by switching to Austria's national broadcasterÖsterreichischer Rundfunk-Fernsehen.They showed theUnited Austrian Iron and SteelworksinLinz.France was the next destination, aboard aProtection Civilehelicopter flying over the returning weekend traffic at Porte de la Chapelle inParis.It was reported byOffice de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française's Joseph Pasteur. Next, it was off to the monuments inMedina,Tunisin Africa. This segment was provided by national broadcaster Radiodiffusion-télévision tunisienne (RTT). The program switched back to Europe aboard some fishing vessels sailing in theGulf of Cádiz,Spain.Televisión Españolashowed fishermen at work and praising thecountry's fishing industry.
At 7:17 p.m. GMT, the show switched toGlassboro, New Jersey,in the United States (3:17 p.m.EDTlocal time). This was the location for theGlassboro Summit Conferencebetween American presidentLyndon JohnsonandSoviet premierAlexei Kosygin.It was reported byNational Educational Television's Dick McCutcheon who ended up talking about the impact of the new television technology on a global scale. Since no politician could be shown, only the exterior of theHollybush Mansion– where the conference was being held – was televised.[3]At 7:18 p.m. GMT it switched back to Canada, to the Two Rivers Ranch inGhost Lake,Alberta, showing a rancher, and hiscutting horse,cutting out a herd ofcattle.It was reported by CBC's Bob Switzer. At 7:19 p.m. GMT it switched toKitsilano Beach,inVancouver'sPoint Greyarea (12:19 p.m.PDTlocal time).[3]
At 7:20 p.m. GMT, the program shifted continents to Asia. It was already 4:20 a.m.JSTlocal time, the next day, inTokyo,Japan. Japanese State BroadcasterNHKshowed workers building a section of theTokyo subwaysystem.[3]The equator was crossed for the first time in the program when it switched to Australia at 5:22 a.m.AESTlocal time (7:22 p.m. GMT). This was the most technically complicated point in the broadcast, as both Japanese and Australian satellite ground stations had to reverse their actions: Kashima Ground Station in Japan had to go from transmit mode to receive mode, whileCooby Creek Tracking Stationin Australia had to switch from receive to transmit mode.[1]The segment fromMelbournedealt withtramsleaving theSouth Melbourne tram depot.This was reported byAustralian Broadcasting Corporation's Brian King as he explained that sunrise was many hours away since it was winter there.[3]
The Crowded World
[edit]Back in BBC's TC1 studio in London, a section abouthuman overpopulationwas introduced starting at the Controlled Environment Research Laboratory (CERES). Next, theCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation(CSIRO)'sphytotroninCanberra,Australia, featured plant physiologistLloyd Evans.He was carrying out experiments to extend the frequency of cereal crop cycles and was reported by Eric Hunter.[9]Urban, maritime and rural scenes were shown from New York City; Ikushimashrimp farminTakamatsu,Japan; a farm inWisconsin,United States;Habitat 67housing complex atExpo 67inMontreal;andCumbernauld,Scotland – as reported byMagnus Magnusson.
Aspiration to Physical Excellence
[edit]Back in BBC's TC1 studio in London, a section about people trying to achieve their best was introduced starting at Empire Pool inVancouver,Canada, featuring swimmerElaine Tannertrying to break the 110-yardbutterflyWorld Record –reported byTed Reynolds–,[i]and continuing at the Equestrian Circle in Castellazzo di Bollate, Italy, featuring ridersPiero D'InzeoandRaimondo D'Inzeo–reported by Alberto Giubilo–;[j]atSöderfors,Sweden, featuring canoeistsGert Fredriksson,Gunnar Utterberg,Lars AnderssonandRolf Pettersson;[k]and, finishing at Calanque de Callelongue inMarseille,France aboard the maiden voyage of the Téléscaphe, the very first underwatercable car.[l]
Aspiration to Artistic Excellence
[edit]Back in BBC's TC1 studio in London, a section about people in pursuit of art was introduced starting atSan Pietro churchinTuscania,Italy for the rehearsals of the filmRomeo and Juliet,featuring film directorFranco Zeffirelliand actorsMilo O'Shea,Leonard WhitingandOlivia Hussey[j]and continuing atBayreuth FestspielhausinBayreuth,West Germany, for theBayreuth Festivalrehearsals of the operaLohengrinfeaturing directorWolfgang Wagner,conductorRudolf Kempeand singersHeather HarperandGrace Hoffman;[m]atFondation MaeghtinSaint-Paul-de-Vence,France featuring sculptorAlexander Calderand painterJoan Miró;[l]at Mexico City, Mexico featuring singersAntonio Aguilarsinging "Allá en el Rancho Grande"on horseback andFlor Silvestresinging "Como México no hay dos" –reported by León Michel–;[h]at theLincoln Centerin New York City featuring conductorLeonard Bernsteinand pianistVan CliburnrehearsingRachmaninoff'sPiano Concerto No. 3;[n]and, finishing atEMI Recording Studio 1inAbbey Road,London, for the first recording session of "All You Need Is Love"bythe Beatles–reported bySteve Race–.[o]
The World Beyond
[edit]Back in BBC's TC1 studio in London, a section aboutouter spacewas introduced starting atKennedy Space CenteratCape Kennedyin the United States,[n]continuing atParkes ObservatoryinParkes,Australia, featuringJohn Gatenby Boltontrackingquasar0237–23, the most distant known object in the universe at the time –reported by Kim Corcoran–[p][9]and finishing back in BBC's TC1 studio in London for a closing segment intercutting live footage from several of the locations already shown.
Legacy
[edit]The Beatles' segment
[edit]
As the broadcast took place at the height of theVietnam War,the Beatles were asked to write a song with a positive message.[10]They topped the event with their debut performance of "All You Need Is Love". They invited many of their friends to the event to create a festive atmosphere and to join in on the song's chorus. Among the friends were members ofthe Rolling Stones,Eric Clapton,Marianne Faithfull,Keith MoonandGraham Nash.[10]
AlthoughOur Worldwas originally recorded and transmitted inblack-and-white,for its use in the 1995 TV specialThe Beatles Anthology,theBeatles' performanceon the program wascolourised,using colour photographs taken at the event as a reference.[11]The sequence opens in its original monochromatic format and rapidly morphs into full colour, conveying the brightly colouredflower powerandpsychedelic-style clothing worn by the Beatles and their guests that was popular during what was subsequently dubbed the "Summer of Love".[11]
In literature
[edit]In the 2000 novelThe Light of Other DaysbyArthur C. ClarkeandStephen Baxter,the global media empire run by Hiram Patterson is called OurWorld, the name chosen after the character saw the program as a child and was inspired to change the world.[12]
Exhibition
[edit]A permanent exhibition at London'sScience Museumopened in 2018, telling the story of the transmission using footage from the show itself and video interviews with surviving members of the production team, recalling the technical challenges involved and the legacy created by the broadcast.[13]
See also
[edit]
Notes
[edit]- ^Monday 26 June 1967 in Australia and Japan.
- ^The transmission used nine ground stations:Cooby Creek Tracking StationinToowoomba,Australia; Jūō Ground Station inIbaraki,Japan; Kashima Ground Station, in Ibaraki, Japan;Rosman Satellite Tracking StationinNorth Carolina,U.S.A.;Andover Earth StationinMaine,U.S.A.; Brewster Flat Earth Station inWashington,U.S.A.; Mill Village Earth Station inNova Scotia,Canada;Goonhilly Satellite Earth Stationin England, U.K.; and,Pleumeur-Bodou Ground Stationin France.[2]
- ^One communications satellite in a nonsynchronouseccentric orbit–Molniya 1–, two ground stations –in Moscow and Vladivostok– and theInternational Radio and Television Organisation(OIRT)'sIntervisioncommunications network were to be used additionally by the Eastern Bloc countries. Contributions from the Soviet Union were to be routed to Brussels by a Control Centre in Moscow while contributions from the remaining Eastern Bloc countries were to be routed to Brussels by the OIRT Centre in Prague.
- ^abcdeWithdrew four days before the broadcast in protest of the Western nations' response to the Six-Day War.
- ^The opening theme originally contained twenty-two languages, but after the withdrawal of the Eastern Bloc countries, it was shortened to seventeen languages.
- ^Segment provided byNippon Hōsō Kyōkai(NHK).
- ^Segment provided byDanmarks Radio(DR).
- ^abSegment provided byTelesistema Mexicano(TSM).
- ^abSegment provided by theCanadian Broadcasting Commission / Société Radio-Canada(CBC).
- ^abSegment provided byRadiotelevisione italiana(RAI).
- ^Segment provided bySveriges Radio Televisionen(SRT).
- ^abSegment provided by theOffice de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française(ORTF).
- ^Segment provided byArbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland(ARD).
- ^abSegment provided byNational Educational Television(NET).
- ^Segment provided by theBritish Broadcasting Corporation(BBC).
- ^Segment provided by theAustralian Broadcasting Commission(ABC).
References
[edit]- ^abcdHuntington, Tom (2006)."The Whole World's Watching".Air and Space Magazine.10(April/May 1996).Smithsonian Institution:26.Bibcode:2006BuAtS..62a..26R.doi:10.1080/00963402.2006.11460953.S2CID144398586.Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 1999.Retrieved25 June2014.
- ^abcd McKellar, Colin."Cooby Creek – Our World".A Tribute to Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station.Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2016.Retrieved1 January2015.
- ^abcdef Burke, Stanley (25 June 1967)."Our World – Five continents linked via satellite".CBC Archives.Toronto:Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.Archivedfrom the original on 6 August 2016.Retrieved4 June2007.
- ^Harrington, Richard (24 November 2002)."His Musical Notes Have Become TV Landmarks".The Washington Post.p. Y06. Archived fromthe originalon 21 April 2004.Retrieved4 June2007.
- ^ "The Beatles on Our World: All You Need Is Love".The Beatles Bible.Cardiff, Wales, UK. 25 June 1967.Archivedfrom the original on 6 January 2016.Retrieved1 January2015.
- ^ "1967 – Our World – the first live, international, satellite television production".Internet History Library.4 April 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved1 January2015.
- ^ Hayes, James (13 July 2017)."Our World: uniting the planet via satellite".Institution of Engineering and Technology.Retrieved4 August2022.
- ^Flowers, Brian (4 July 2007)."The Technical History of Eurovision"(PDF).EBU Technical Review.European Broadcasting Union.Archived(PDF)from the original on 22 June 2013.Retrieved28 November2007.
- ^abRowsthorn, Peter (4 May 2007)."Moment in Time Episode 12: First Satellite Broadcast".Can We Help?.Sydney:Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Archived fromthe originalon 18 June 2013.Retrieved4 June2007.
- ^abSheppard, John (3 June 1987).It was 20 Years Ago Today.Granada TV.Retrieved4 June2007.Granada TV documentary shows the Beatles'Our Worldbroadcast segment.
- ^abSella, Tom (1996)."Anthology Home Video".Beatles Reference Library.Retrieved27 June2010.
Laserdisc 7, Side 1, Chapter 1
- ^Clarke, Arthur C.; Baxter, Stephen (15 January 2001).The Light of Other Days.Tor Books. p.15.ISBN0-312-87199-6.
- ^"Telstar, Intelsat and the first global satellite broadcast".The Science Museum.11 October 2018.Retrieved5 August2023.
External links
[edit]- Our WorldatIMDb
- Our World - BBC1 Broadcast (incomplete)onYouTube
- Our World - ABC-TV Broadcast (incomplete)onYouTube
- Our World - NHK Sōgō Terebijon introduction (in Japanese)
