Hijack alert again. Sorry!

Jim. I could do some digging around for you. I retired two years ago, but, still have a few contacts.
Early 80's you say? Might get lucky. If you could provide as much info as possible, approx broadcast dates, network. (I'm assuming Radio here), particularly useful would be a producers name (Some producers kept safety copies of their progs, presumably not trusting the system to keep them safe!!).
By the 1980s, more care was being taken with recorded programmes.
Nowadays in a tapeless world. All programmes are stored direct to a Humungous server, that can be accessed by a producer (for editing purposes anywhere within the BBC.) God knows how many TerraBytes is stored. Talk about mindboggling!
So, get in touch mate!

And Bob. Yes you are right. It doesn't bear thinking about how much priceless stuff is lying around in peoples attics! If you think about it most people in the (western world) had some sort of personal recording device, Walkman etc from the late 60s onwards....there must be millions of hours of stuff out there!
So, In a way, more recordings are bound to survive today, than in previous generations. Not many people had wax cylinder recorders at the beginning of the 20th century did they?! Interesting topic though. Thanks for raising it
Cheers Ralph