Britannia is a series of television documentaries by BBC Four that began in 2005. The documentaries mostly deal with the evolution of a music genre or other aspect of musical culture over a period of several decades within the United Kingdom, although some episodes have covered music in other countries (Ireland, the United States, Italy) or such diverse subjects as comic books, games, satirical literature, and wildlife. The programmes are usually presented in a three-episode format, but are often broadcast as one continuous block as part of a schedule of themed programming.
Episodes
Jazz Britannia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2011)
Focuses on early collecting of British folk music, the influence of American folk music on the English folk music scene, the Ballads and Blues Club which became Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger's Singers Club, and Skiffle.
Focusing on the development of various aspects of prog rock music, from the lyrical influence of classical literature, fantasy and science fiction, through the marriage of music and artwork, the increasingly complex and drawn-out process of writing and recording, to the theatricality of performance, and the genre's international success and popularity among a predominantly male audience. Spotlighting Genesis, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, Roger Dean, Soft Machine, King Crimson, Egg, Jethro Tull and Mike Oldfield.
3
"Brain Salad Surgery: 1974-1977"
2 January 2009 (2009-01-02)
Focusing on the decline in popularity of prog rock, from the embracing of 1970s excess and self-indulgence, through the birth of punk rock as a response to the genre, and how prog became a four-letter word despite its influence on many musicians and songwriters associated with other genres. Spotlighting Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, ELP and The Sex Pistols.
Folk America
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2011)
A look at the history of American folk music.[10] Presented by Bernard Hill.
Focusing on the rise in popularity of American blues music among the youth of post-war Britain, from the importing of blues records from the Southern United States, through the collaborations between British trad jazz bands and visiting American blues musicians, to the formation of the first British rhythm and blues combos. Spotlighting Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf, Son House, Chris Barber, Champion Jack Dupree and Blues Incorporated.
Focusing on the roots of British reggae, from the importing of Jamaican music from independent labels such as Island Records in the mid-1960s, through the first reggae songs to top the UK charts, specifically "My Boy Lollipop" reaching #2 in 1965 and "Israelites" reaching #1 in 1969, to the genre being adopted by the mod and skinhead communities and used as a symbol of identity by the British black youth in the early 1970s, allowing Jamaican reggae artists to escape their home country's violent political turmoil by emigrating to Britain. Spotlighting Desmond Dekker, Dave and Ansell Collins, Max Romeo, Toots and the Maytals, Millie Small, Nicky Thomas, Bob and Marcia, Big Youth and Al Capone.
2
"Part Two: Catch a Fire"
11 February 2011 (2011-02-11)
Focusing on the emergence of homegrown talent and development of the British reggae sound, from the wider audience appeal that came with the fusion of roots reggae with pop and rock music in the early 1970s, through the emergence and popularity of British sound systems, to the use of music to protest the inherent racism in British society in the mid 1970s. Spotlighting Bob Marley and the Wailers, Eric Clapton, Matumbi, Aswad and Steel Pulse.
3
"Part Three: Stir It Up"
11 February 2011 (2011-02-11)
Focusing on the integration of black and white music, from the kinship felt between the angry youths of the reggae and punk communities, culminating in the Rock Against Racism campaign and punk-reggae collaborations in the late 1970s, through the birth of the 2 Tone ska revival subgenre, to the success of mixed-race political reggae bands using their music as social commentary on "Thatcher's Britain". Spotlighting Steel Pulse, The Clash, The Slits, Linton Kwesi Johnson, The Police, The Specials, The Selecter and UB40.
4
"Part Four: Nice Up the Dance"
11 February 2011 (2011-02-11)
Focusing on the shift away from reggae as angry protest music towards the mainstream pop market, from the genre's decline in popularity following the death of Bob Marley in 1981, through the emergence of lovers rock, to the assimilation of reggae into other genres in the 1980s, specifically electronic dance music. Spotlighting UB40, Winston Reedy, Sugar Minott, Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay, Culture Club, The Police, Musical Youth, Smiley Culture, Tippa Irie and Soul II Soul.
Mixed Britannia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2011)
Documentary about British youth's attempts to copy American rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s.
2
"Trad Jazz Britannia"
24 May 2013 (2013-05-24)
Documentary looking at Britain's post-war infatuation with old New Orleans jazz.
Psychedelic Britannia
A trip through the most visionary period in British music history - five kaleidoscopic years between 1965 and 1970, when a handful of dreamers reimagined pop music.[24] Presented by Nigel Planer. Originally broadcast 23 October 2015.
Tim Wall & Paul Long (2009). 'Jazz Britannia: Mediating the story of British jazz on television', Jazz Research Journal, 3(2):145-‐170.
Paul Long & Tim Wall (2010). 'Mediating Popular Music Heritage: British television's narratives of popular music's past' in Ian Inglis (ed.), Popular Music on British Television, Ashgate.
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