History of the BBC
Explore the history of the BBC since its foundation in 1922 to the present day
Explore more than 100 years of the BBC’s history – click on our interactive timeline or investigate a topical anniversary, unpack the story of fascinating objects from our varied collections, or go in-depth via one of our long-form articles.
And tell us your memories of what the BBC means to you.
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Anniversaries
The potential for live television broadcasts of sport was realised when expert commentary was paired up with pictures for the first time. This simple step forward on this day in February 1937, opened up sport for millions. Find out more here. -
TV 100
100 years ago, television was demonstrated to the public for the first time. Although the audience was tiny the launch heralded the start of a revolution in worldwide communication. Image: A Baird Televisor. -
Remembering Our Friends in the North
30 years on from the first episode of Our Friends in the North, broadcast historian Paul Hayes takes a closer look into the archive of the groundbreaking drama, to reveal a time capsule of a turbulent era. Image: The Tyne Bridge, Newcastle. -
The Archers at 75
Radio 4's contemporary drama in a rural setting has come of age! To mark 75 years of The Archers this month, Felicity Finch (Ruth Archer) reveals some of the lesser-known aspects of the series for the BBC Oral History Collection. -
The Birth of TV
From John Logie Baird's early pioneering days to television's coming of age with the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, this special online collection traces the fascinating story of television in the UK. -
Objects of the BBC
Commentating on live sports matches or noisy environments was very difficult before the advent of a specialist microphone. The now-familiar 'lip mic' was devised to solve the problem. Objects of the BBC has more. -
Faces of the BBC
Starting his career in 1956, David Coleman became the face of BBC Television sports programmes for many years - he's part of our Faces of the BBC gallery. -
BBC Exhibitions
Look out for events and exhibitions showcasing BBC entertainment, science, and war programming, international broadcasting, and vintage radio and TV equipment. Image: Showtown, Blackpool Museum Trust.
Links
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BBC Archive
Hand-picked and popular selections from the BBC archives. -
BBC Archive - Youtube channel
Hop aboard an audiovisual time machine, that will transport you back to the golden age of TV. -
BBC Programme Index
Explore the BBC’s historical listings information from 1922 to the present day. -
Connected Histories of the BBC
A University of Sussex-AHRC research project -
British Entertainment History Project
The UK's largest oral history collection of interviews with professionals from across the film, television, radio and theatre industries. -
BBC Memory Bank
Giving longstanding and retired staff the opportunity to write their part of the unofficial history of the BBC. -
BBC iPlayer from the Archive
The destination to discover the most distinctive content from the BBC's rich archive. -
Archive on Four
Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond.