Radio review: Coronation Day Across the Globe

Coronation Day 1953 could have marked the end of radio as we know it. No one wanted to listen to the commentary from Westminster Abbey. Everyone wanted to see what was going on. Hearing could not, it was thought, be as effective an act of witness as viewing the glittering diamonds, the gleaming satin, the pageantry, the pomp and the extraordinary sight of the weight of royalty, both physical and metaphysical, being bestowed on so slight a young woman. Those who had the money rushed out to buy a Regentone table TV or a Baird Townsman. Those who couldn’t afford to buy or rent a TV begged a neighbour to invite them in, or travelled to the nearest Odeon or holiday camp, where big screens were linked up to the TV transmitters that had been speedily (and controversially) installed to ensure there would be national coverage for this epic event.