November 1967 highlights BBC2 had finally burst into colour, although it was still only 'Launching Period'; the full service would begin shortly. One of those colour programmes, Horizon, still runs today; another colour show Crossword on Two is long since forgotten. Over on BBC1 - staying monochrome for another two years - and Harry Worth was starring in his own comedy series. The 5.50 news bulletin strangely had been halved in length to just five minutes; but it was preceded by Magic Roundabout; funny to think viewers would only be able to see this colourful show in black-and-white until October 1970! Most of BBC1's daytime output was taken up by either the test card or schools programmes, which at this point were introduced by the BBC schools pie chart. However those tuning in at 12.30pm on Thursday, though, would have the pleasure of watching Pig Farming Today. It was just a few weeks into the 'swinging new radio service'; Radio 1 had begun on 30 September with Tony Blackburn's Daily Disc Delivery. The network also brought us three chances a day to win a transistor radio in their 'exciting new crossword game' Crack the Clue. We were also promised Jimmy Young, on both Radio 1 and Radio 2, would be singing us some songs.
And in Radio Times 18-24 November 1967 Price 8d  Radio Times had also burst into colour; it was now featured on the cover every week, and also in 'Radio Times Magazine', a new pull-out supplement which featured motoring, gardening, cookery and birdwatching.
The RT had also undergone a facelift at this point, and at first sight the layout looks rather cluttered (right). It was toned down early in 1968. Derek Nimmo, William Mervyn and Robertson Hare starred on the cover this week, for a new  series of the popular sitcom All Gas and Gaiters. On page three - no contents, but a feature on BBC1's Saturday night comedy sketch show Twice a Fortnight. One of the stars was an unbearded Bill Oddie (left)! The new radio service was given three pages a day, but in case any listeners were confused, Radio 2 listings still carried the sub-heading 'Light Programme', and Radio 4 the sub-heading 'Home'. Radio 3 retained a split identity - it was still divided into Music Programme, Study Session (Sports Service on Saturdays) and Third Programme, which would prevail until April 1970. One reader's view on the new radio service was succint: 'Radio 4...AHH! Radio 3...MMM! Radio 2...YES! Radio 1...YUGH!' 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Radio Times Covers | 
