In 1969 the B.B.C. began to plan a series of programmes on the British Empire. The scheme was eventually abandoned, but on 11 January 1972 the first of a thirteen-part weekly series on the Empire was transmitted on the B.B.C., and was repeated between March and June. At the same time Time-Life began the publication of a 'complimentary' work in 98 weekly parts. The R.C.S. Library provided the B.B.C. with graphic material for its project and supplied Time-Life with illustrations. The Librarian, D.H. Simpson, wrote comments on each programme, which he sent to Max Morgan-Witts, the Producer, and to the R.C.S. Council; later he prepared a survey of the whole series for the Council.