How popular were the royals 50 years ago?

How popular were the royals 50 years ago?

Recent reports have commented on how the monarchy’s popularity has fallen in recent years – to just 55%, according to one poll. A dip into the Archive of Market and Social Research shows what a shift this is. June 1969 saw the UK broadcast of Royal Family, a TV...
The fall and rise of cinema

The fall and rise of cinema

As Warner Bros, one of the world’s leading film and entertainment companies, celebrates its 100th anniversary, it’s interesting to trace the story of cinema attendance in the UK over the same period. The number of ways in which one can watch a film has increased many...
Inflation, decimalisation and metrication

Inflation, decimalisation and metrication

In the 1970s, price inflation was at least as big a political problem as it is today. Decimalisation of the currency was perceived to be a major influence. In the UK, although decimalisation of the currency and metrication of weights and measures had been under...
The lasting popularity of the National Lottery

The lasting popularity of the National Lottery

Kantar recently published TGI figures reporting that 65% of GB adults have played either Lotto, Euromillions or scratchcards in the last 12 months – up from 55% in 2019. Perhaps the pandemic contributed to this, with a dabble on the lottery a welcome distraction from...
Financing the BBC: always a contentious issue

Financing the BBC: always a contentious issue

Alternative funding methods for the BBC have been discussed for years. Back in the 1980s, many viewers considered advertising an acceptable option. A collection of papers from the BBC, recently added to the Archive of Market and Social Research, suggests that over 30...