The Radio Times was first published in 1923 as a listings magazine for radio, and later television.

This 'Coronation Edition' of the Radio Times was published in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, covering the week commencing 31 May to 6 June 1953. As well as full radio and television listings for the week, including coronation day itself, all the articles and opinion pieces were on different aspects of the coronation. These include an article by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a history of the coronation ceremony, details on the music of the coronation service, and a two-page illustrated map of the coronation route, listing which broadcaster would be commentating at different stages.

Although the coronation procession of George VI had been televised in 1937, this was the first time that the full coronation ceremony had been broadcast to viewers. The broadcast of Queen Elizabeth's coronation was a huge moment in the development of television. It marked the first time in Britain that more people had watched an event on the television than listened to it on the radio. Twenty-seven million viewers watched the televised event, with many people having rented or purchased a television especially to watch the event.