So, you want to watch *Coronation Street* from the very beginning? Good luck! It's like searching for the Holy Grail, but with more dodgy perms and cobbled streets.
The Great *Coronation Street* Season 1 Hunt
Seriously though, where IS season 1? It's the question that keeps me up at night. Am I the only one who wants to see Elsie Tanner causing chaos in glorious black and white?
Streaming Services: A Dead End (Mostly)
You'd think in this day and age, it would be easy, right? Wrong. Netflix? Nope. Amazon Prime Video? Nada. BritBox? You'd think they'd be all over it, but alas, no dice for *Coronation Street* season 1.
They might have some *Corrie* episodes, but usually from later seasons. It's always a gamble, isn't it? And who wants to jump in mid-story with characters they don't know?
DVDs: The Physical Route (Maybe)
DVDs are a possibility, I guess. If you can find them! You might have more luck finding a unicorn than a *Coronation Street* Season 1 DVD boxset in good condition.
And then you need a DVD player. Remember those? I'm starting to feel ancient just thinking about it. Maybe that's why no one is bothering with early *Corrie*.
The Dark Web (Don't!)
Okay, I'm kidding! Seriously, don't go searching for dodgy downloads. That's just asking for trouble, malware, and possibly a visit from the TV Licensing people (do they even still exist?).
It's never worth risking your computer for a bit of *Coronation Street* history. Stick to legal options, even if they are limited.
Youtube: A Glimmer of Hope (Sort Of)
YouTube is probably your best bet, even if it's a patchy one. You might find clips and snippets of early episodes. It's not the full experience, but it's better than nothing.
Just be prepared for shaky camera work and terrible audio. It was a different time, after all. And expect some copyright takedowns!
My Unpopular Opinion
Okay, here it comes. Deep breath... Maybe season 1 isn't *that* great? I said it! Don't get me wrong, it's historically important. But TV has evolved, right?
Maybe jumping in at a later, slightly more polished season is a better shout. Hear me out! You get the *Corrie* charm, but with less… well, less of whatever made TV shows look so grainy back then.
I'm ready for the backlash. Feel free to @ me on X/Twitter/whatever it's called this week. But honestly, I stand by it. Starting with a classic era episode might be a better gateway drug to *Coronation Street*.
So, Where *Can* You Watch It?
The truth is, reliably finding *Coronation Street* season 1 for streaming or purchase is a massive challenge. It's like searching for hens' teeth. Maybe ITV should release it properly and make us all happy.
Until then, scour YouTube, check old DVD shops, and maybe just… maybe just accept that the early days are best left to the history books. Controversial, I know!
But hey, whatever you decide, enjoy your trip to Weatherfield! Just maybe start with a slightly more recent postcard-worthy view.
