site.btaNovember 7, 1959: Bulgarian National Television Carries Out Its First Live Broadcast

Bulgarian National Television carried out its first live broadcast on November 7, 1959.

The history of Bulgarian television begins in 1951, when a group of enthusiasts at the Department of Radio Engineering and Physics at the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Institute of Sofia (MEI) begin the first experiments in transmitting images over a distance. 

Inspired by reports in the press about television broadcasts abroad, Kiril Kirkov, an associate professor at the Institute, proposed to Prof. Sazdo Ivanov, the rector of the Institute, that they start conducting experiments to develop television in Bulgaria. They both hoped that its creation would raise the prestige of the Technical University and the country significantly, as only the most advanced countries had access to such a technology at that time. The team faced enormous difficulties—there was no specialized literature or technical documentation, no measuring equipment or materials, and of course, financial resources. The young physicists and engineers only had one technical book at their disposal: “Fundamentals of Television” by Prof. Kataev. They set up their laboratory in the attic of the MEI and began conducting numerous experiments there every evening after work.

Following the initial success of their experiments, the team received creative inspiration and material support to continue their work. Their Czech colleagues helped the enthusiastic Bulgarians by giving them an old but well-preserved kinescope. The Bulgarian army provided the experimental laboratory with a large quantity of captured radio equipment, capacitors and resistors. Army Officer Dimitar Dimitrov also donated a valuable Leningrad T2 television receiver for use in local conditions. The Technical School of Fine Mechanics and Optics donated an old movie projector to the team. After being rebuilt, it finally provided sound accompaniment to the TV image. Following these acquisitions, the experimental results improved significantly. A huge 20-metre transmission antenna was installed on the Polytechnic building opposite the Vasil Levski Monument, and successful experimental TV broadcasts were made from this location in 1953. Films were most often broadcast, with the image being carefully monitored and various defects continuously removed. After gathering training and experience in the Soviet Union, the experimental centre began gaining momentum. Measuring equipment was acquired, new original schemes were developed by the staff, and the quality of transmitted images is improved dramatically. Specialists increased the transmitter's power for image signals and modernized the sound accompaniment.

Television in Bulgaria was officially established by a decision of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party in April 1958, which was in accordance with the Directives of the Seventh Congress of the Party for the accelerated development of television and the assimilation of Bulgarian television production. This was preceded by a decree of August 21, 1951, which approved the construction of a National Television Centre, which began only eight years later. Television was created as an Editorial Office of Bulgarian National Radio. Borislav Petrov was appointed editor-in-chief, and it was housed in the radio building and its technical equipment consisted of just two or three cameras, and the programming staff consisted of only 22 people. 

The first live broadcast took place on November 7, 1959, at September 9 Square, where the October Revolution Day rally was broadcast live. The event was filmed by 3 cameras located on the balcony of the National Art Gallery, on the Mausoleum of Georgi Dimitrov and on the corner of Vassil Levski and Tsar Osvoboditel streets. The broadcast was directed by Angel Vulchanov and Lidia Ishimbaeva from CST (Central Soviet Television), who had come to Sofia for the occasion. By that time, the television station was already operating according to the TV standard adopted by all socialist countries, as set out by the International Organization for Radio and Television (OIRT). 

The official start of the Bulgarian TV service took place on December 26 that same year. On the first day of regular programming, Bulgarian National Television began with a live broadcast of an awards ceremony for those involved in building the TV tower in Sofia, followed by a festive concert and a film.

Here is how BTA's Internal Information service covered the event:

November 7, 1959, issue 311

SOFIA TELEVISION STATION BEGINS TRIAL BROADCASTS

Today, Sofia Television Station began its first broadcasts. During the day, many residents of the capital watched a demonstration by Sofia workers to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution on their television screens. In the evening, they watched the first trial studio television programme. The images and sound were transmitted from Freedom Park, home to one of the most impressive buildings in the capital: the radio relay and television tower. The thirteen-storey building and the antenna mast above it are located at a natural height and have a total height of 100 metres — a new success for Bulgarian designers and builders. Thanks to the complex equipment and facilities installed here, hundreds of wireless transmissions will be made daily between Sofia and other administrative and industrial centres in the country.

The television station occupies four floors and is equipped with image and sound transmitters, telecine equipment for outside broadcasts using a television news van, studio cameras, and a number of other facilities.
Given the limited studio space and equipment available, the Sofia television station will be able to provide no more than two or three short programmes per week. To improve operations in this regard, one of the city's exhibition halls will be converted for use as an additional television studio. This will bring the trial period of television broadcasting in Sofia to a close.