At 7:15 tonight millions of televiewers in and around London saw the birth of a new era in television history in Britain when independent televsion came on to the air for the first time . The setting for the historical event Guildhall , in the heart of the City of London , where an inaugural banquet was held . It was attended by many notabilities , including the Lord Mayor Sir Seymour Howard , the Postmaster General Dr Charles Hill and the Chairman of the Independent Television Authority , Sir Kenneth Clark . Seen here Dr Charles Hill speaking at the inaugural banquet , while a television camera is trained on him . 22 September 1955