2 June – The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is televised in the UK on the BBC Television Service. Sales of TV sets rise sharply in the weeks leading up to the event. It is also one of the earliest broadcasts to be deliberately recorded for posterity and still exists in its entirety today.
20 July – The Good Old Days begins on the BBC Television Service.
11 November – The current affairs series Panorama launches on the BBC Television Service. It is now the longest-running program on British television.
26 November – Peers in the House of Lords back Government plans for the introduction of commercial television in the UK.
2 December – The BBC broadcasts its 'Television Symbol' for the first time, the first animated television presentation symbol in the world. Known as the 'bat's wings' by logo enthusiasts, it would remain until 1960.
Peter Scott presents the first BBC television natural history broadcast, from his home at Slimbridge.