The location was itself based on Salford , the hometown of the show's first screenwriter and creator, Tony Warren. Originally broadcast twice weekly, Coronation Street increased its runtime in later years, currently airing three minute episodes per week.
Producer Harry Elton convinced Bernstein to commission 13 pilot episodes. The show has since become a significant part of British culture. In , Coronation Street was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's longest-running television soap opera upon its 50th anniversary. Coronation Street was originally influenced by kitchen-sink realism and is known for portraying a working-class community with a blend of humour and strong, relatable characters.
The first episode of Coronation Street aired on 9 December at 7 pm. It initially received mixed reviews; Daily Mirror columnist Ken Irwin predicted the series would last only three weeks. For there is little reality in this new serial, which apparently, we have to suffer twice a week.
We're living with people on the other side of the world. In March , the show reached number one in the television ratings and remained there for the rest of the year. By , Coronation Street attracted over 20 million regular viewers, the programme had over 20 million regular viewers, with ratings peaking on 2 December , at In , Tim Aspinall became the series producer and implemented significant changes to the programme.
The sacking was widely covered in the media, and Carol was mobbed by fans while out in public. Kershaw , criticised the decision as a bid to boost ratings. By , critics contended that the programme offered a nostalgic and outdated depiction of the urban working class, failing to reflect the contemporary realities of British society amid the decade's economic and social changes. The first episode filmed in color was broadcast on 3 November Since then, all episodes have been produced in color, with the exception of those created during the Colour Strike.
