The Riverside Studios at Hammersmith, London started life as an iron foundry and had been converted into a film studio in 1933. The site, with its two large studio spaces was purchased by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ in 1954 from the Alliance Film Company, initially as a temporary measure while the equipment at the studios at Lime Grove was being upgraded.
Amongst the first programmes made there was Hancock's Half Hour, as the show demanded a studio audience which Riverside could accommodate. A delay to the construction of Television Centre meant it remained remained a useful facility and it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother in 1957.
During the 1950s and 60s it was the recording location for some famous programmes, including the science-fiction classic Quatermass and the Pit, early episodes of Doctor Who (including First Doctor's regeneration from William Hartnell to Patrick Troughton), and children's favourite Play School. The rooftop also provided a handy vantage point over the Thames for covering the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.
The whole complex was in regular use until the early 1970s when additional studios were completed at Television Centre. The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ moved out in 1975, and a charitable trust formed by Hammersmith and Fulham Council took over. The site is currently undergoing redevelopment.
Further reading
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        The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Riverside Television Studios: Some Aspects of Technical Planning and Equipment 1954 monograph by ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Research and Development
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        Doctor Who: The Regeneration Game ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Genome Blog by Andrew Martin
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        History of the site from the new Riverside Studios redevelopment website
Buildings
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              Alexandra PalaceThe birthplace of television
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              Broadcasting HouseThe first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK
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              Broadcasting House, BelfastÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Northern Ireland's headquarters since 1941
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              Broadcasting House, BristolFormer home of the Natural History Unit
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              Broadcasting House, CardiffThe ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s first bespoke headquarters in Wales
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              Bush HouseÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ of the World Service 1940-2012
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              Camden Palace TheatreLight entertainment and music from North London
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              Caversham ParkListening to the world, 1943 to 2018
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              Ealing StudiosThe ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Television Film Studios
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              Elstree StudiosÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ of EastEnders
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              Lime GroveA temporary measure for 42 years
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              Kingswood WarrenFormer home of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Research & Development
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              The LanghamSustaining the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ during World War 2 and after
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              Maida ValeThe best acoustic in London
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              35 Marylebone High StreetThe first headquarters of the Radio Times and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio London.
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              MediaCityUKThe ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Northern base in Salford
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              Pacific QuayHeadquarters of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Scotland
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              Paris StudiosFormer London cinema which hosted The Beatles and Dad's Army
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              Pebble MillA hub for drama, entertainment and factual programmes in Birmingham between 1971 and 2004
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              Queen's House, WC2Centre of English language learning
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              Riverside StudiosA film studio regenerated into a TV studio used by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ from 1954 to 1975
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              Savoy HillThe first home of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
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              Television CentreThe Television Factory
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              Television TheatreA mecca for the stars of the 1960s
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              Wood NortonThe emergency broadcasting centre
