Episode 1 (Coronation Street) Episode 1 (Coronation Street) The first episode of the British television soap opera "Coronation Street" was broadcast live on the 9 December 1960, it was broadcast in black-and-white. Episode 2 was video taped shortly after the airing. The series first introduces Florrie Lindley (Betty Alberge), who has bought up the local Corner Shop from Elsie Lappin (Maudie Edwards), who has now retired after working there for many years. Elsie warns Florrie about the residents and stays around to show her the tricks of the trade. At No. 11, Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix) berates her 18-year-old son Dennis (Philip Lowrie), who
Coronation Street new sponsor. In November 2011 a Nationwide Building Society ATM in Dev and Sunita Alahan's shop became the first use of paid-for product placement in a UK primetime show. Hyundai are the current sponsor since January 2015 in the Republic of Ireland, aired on TV3 HD. "Coronation Street" is the second most award-winning British soap opera in the UK, behind rival soap "EastEnders". The first producer was Stuart Latham, from December 1960 to July 1961. In the 1960s and 1970s, most producers did stints of about one year. Longer-running producers included Eric Prytherch (May 1972 – April 1974); Bill Podmore