Documentary · 1950s

The 1950s account for 8 of the 190 documentary shows here, and 10 opening sequences.

BBC One carries the most, with four.

Two of them rebuilt their titles mid-run.

8 shows10 sequences

Blue Peter

1958–BBC OneDocumentary

The world's longest-running children's programme, opening on a ship in full sail and a hornpipe.

1951–1982ABC / SyndicationDocumentary

Champagne music, bubbles in the titles, and thirty-one years of the same band leader counting in.

1956–CBSDocumentary

Three people claiming to be the same person, and the line that ends it — will the real one please stand up.

1953–BBC OneDocumentary

The longest-running current affairs programme in the world, and a theme borrowed from Rachmaninoff.

1950–1988CBS / NBC / SyndicationDocumentary

A radio stunt show that reached television in 1950 and persuaded a New Mexico town to rename itself after it.

1957–BBC One / BBC FourDocumentary

The longest-running programme with the same presenter in television history, opening on Sibelius' At the Castle Gate.

1958–2007BBC OneDocumentary

Five hours of live sport on a Saturday afternoon, held together by a man at a desk and the teleprinter behind him.

1952–CBC / SportsnetDocumentary

A theme so embedded that when the CBC lost the rights to it in 2008 the story led the national news.