MUMBAI: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will visit BBC Broadcasting House on 20 April to mark the 80th anniversary of the granting of the Corporation's Royal Charter.
The Queen will officially re-open the original Broadcasting House in Portland Place, London, which has recently been refurbished as a part of the redevelopment of the site.
The Queen will be shown a model outlining building project plans for Broadcasting House by Sir Richard MacCormac, architect, and the BBC's chief operating officer, John Smith, and will view a display of digital radio technology and Broadcasting House artefacts.
The digital radio technology consists of :-
>A DAB digital radio featuring an electronic programme guide (EPG)
>A wi-fi radio, which can pick up, via wireless broadband, internet radio stations around the world including all the BBC's national stations
>A plasma TV screen with a Freeview box, displaying the BBC's 24/7 radio service via digital TV
>A laptop computer demonstrating listening to radio via the internet on the BBC Radio Player
>Mobile devices capable of receiving radio services -i.e.- The iPod featuring a selection of the BBC's podcasts and a new mobile telephone with DAB radio access
The Broadcasting House artefacts consist of: a 'royal' microphone used by King George V for Christmas broadcasts in the 1930s. The 'King's Radio', a specially created version of a high quality radio set made by Murphy, the electronics manufacturer, and presented to King George V. The model was subsequently known to the public as the 'King's Radio.' Also, a cigar box in the form of Broadcasting House presented to Lord Reith on his 10th anniversary as manager/director-general of the British Broadcasting Company/Corporation.
The Queen will then watch a production for BBC 7's The Big Toe Radio Show and will meet presenters Kirsten O'Brien and Kevin Duala and young competition winners in the Drama studio.
The Queen will also view a recording for Radio 4's Woman's Hour and meet presenter Jenni Murray, programme engineers and interviewees Dr Sarah Childs from Bristol University and Dr Rosie Campbell from Birkbeck College, London.
