Murphy 14-inch Band I/Band III television receiver, 1954

Murphy 14-inch Band I/Band III television receiver, Model V240, made by Murphy Radio Limited, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, 1954.

The Murphy V240, described as a ‘table model’ in its brochure, was introduced in 1955. The inclusion of a ‘turret tuner’ meant that the television could receive both BBC broadcasts transmitted on Band I and the new ITV channel transmitted on Band III. It could also accommodate future transmissions outside of those bands, should they be introduced. The marketing material argued that although the Murphy V240 with its turret tuner might be a little more expensive, in the long term it would save money as new equipment would not be needed for additional channels. ITV launched in 1955 and this Murphy set is an early example of a television designed to be able to receive both channels.