1936 in British television

This is a list of events related to British television in 1936.

Events

• 2 November – The first regular high-definition (then defined as at least 200 lines) BBC Television Service, based at Alexandra Palace in London, officially begins broadcasting (after test transmissions began in August). The service alternates on a weekly basis between Baird's 240-line mechanical system and the Marconi-EMI's 405-line all-electronic system. Programmes are broadcast daily, Monday to Saturday, at 15:00–16:00 and 21:00–22:00.
• By this year there are approximately 2,000 televisions worldwide.

Debuts

• Unknown (probably November) – Picture Page (1936–1939, 1946–1952).

Television shows

1920s

• BBC Wimbledon (1927–1939, 1946–2024)

Births

• 9 February – Clive Swift, actor
• 6 March – Jean Boht, actress
• 9 May
  • Albert Finney, actor
  • Glenda Jackson, actress and politician
• 17 June – Ken Loach, film director
• 30 June – Don Taylor, director (died 2003)
• 8 July – Tony Warren, scriptwriter (died 2016)
• 9 July – Richard Wilson, actor
• 27 September – Gordon Honeycombe, news presenter (died 2015)
• 9 October – Brian Blessed, actor
• 10 October – Judith Chalmers, television presenter