The very first programme shown on Ulster Television on its launch day in 1959 was The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Richard Greene. However, the moment UTV went live was marked in a special way, just immediately prior to the first programme starting, when the man then regarded as the world’s greatest living actor, Sir Laurence Olivier, introduced the new station to those at home. Olivier was a shareholder and director of the new independent station and was therefore a natural choice.

Fortunately, this unique piece of television has survived in the archives and, as can be seen in this clip, so has Olivier’s rehearsal of his speech to the camera, immediately prior to going live. Also giving opening speeches are the Chairman of UTV, Lord Antrim, and the Governor of Northern Ireland, Lord Wakehurst. It’s clear that Lord Antrim is not at ease being on that side of the camera and you can see him start his speech looking across the room to Olivier and ignoring the camera! It is obvious that someone off-camera draws his attention to this because he then stumbles and loses his way while turning to face the camera.

For any television historians out there, it’s worth celebrating that these first few seconds, stumbles included, have survived and can still be viewed today.