BBC facts for kids
Logo used since 2021
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| Statutory corporation with a royal charter, Public broadcasting | |
| Industry | Mass media |
| Predecessor | British Broadcasting Company |
| Founded | 18 October 1922 (as British Broadcasting Company) 1 January 1927 (as British Broadcasting Corporation) |
| Founder | HM Government |
| Headquarters | Broadcasting House London, England, UK |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Services |
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| Revenue |  £5.330 billion (2022) |
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Operating income
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 £124 million (2022) |
| £206 million (2022) |
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| Total assets | £3.414 billion (2022) |
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Number of employees
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21,281 (2022) |
| Divisions |
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The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a major British public service broadcaster. It is based in London, England. The BBC started in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company. It became the British Broadcasting Corporation on January 1, 1927. It is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the UK and worldwide. The BBC has over 21,000 employees.
The BBC was created under a special royal charter. It works under an agreement with the UK government. Most of its funding comes from an annual television licence fee. This fee is paid by British homes and organisations that watch live TV or use the BBC's streaming service, iPlayer. The British Government sets the fee, and Parliament agrees to it. This money helps fund the BBC's radio, TV, and online services across the UK. Since 2014, it also funds the BBC World Service. This service broadcasts in 28 languages around the world.
Some money also comes from BBC Studios, a commercial part of the BBC. This part sells BBC shows and services to other countries. It also helps distribute the international 24-hour English news services. The BBC is sometimes called the Beeb or Auntie by people in the UK.
Contents
History of the BBC
Early Days of British Broadcasting (1920-1922)
The first public radio broadcast in Britain happened in June 1920. It was from a factory in Chelmsford. A famous singer, Dame Nellie Melba, performed. People loved it, but officials worried it would interfere with important communications. So, these broadcasts were stopped by late 1920.
By 1922, many people wanted broadcast licences. The government decided to allow a single company to broadcast. This company was the British Broadcasting Company Ltd, formed on October 18, 1922. John Reith became its general manager in December 1922. The company was funded by a fee on special BBC radio sets. The BBC still tries to follow Reith's idea to "inform, educate, and entertain."
Becoming a Public Service (1923-1926)
The way the BBC was funded soon became a problem. Not enough radio sets were sold. By 1923, the government looked into how broadcasting should work. They suggested a new licence fee system. This would help the BBC financially. The BBC was given a monopoly, meaning it was the only broadcaster. It was also not allowed to show advertisements. To avoid competing with newspapers, the BBC could not broadcast news before 7 PM.
In 1925, the future of broadcasting was reviewed again. John Reith wanted the BBC to be a public service, not a business. The 1926 United Kingdom general strike happened in May 1926. During the strike, newspapers stopped printing. The BBC became the main source of news. This was a difficult time for the BBC. Reith wanted to keep public trust by being fair. The government trusted Reith to handle the news carefully. The BBC's coverage impressed many listeners.
This crisis helped the BBC become very popular. The government then agreed to change the British Broadcasting Company into a non-commercial, public organisation. This became the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Growth and Early Television (1927-1939)
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The British Broadcasting Corporation started on January 1, 1927. John Reith became its first Director General. The new BBC adopted a coat of arms with the motto: "Nation shall speak peace unto Nation."
Reith wanted the BBC to broadcast "All that is best in every department of human knowledge." He aimed for high moral standards. The BBC did not have paid advertising. Its money came from the licence fee. The BBC focused on serving the whole nation. It broadcast important events like boat races and horse racing.
The BBC carefully controlled what was broadcast. Until 1928, broadcasters had to avoid certain topics. These included religious quotes, jokes about drinking, and political comments. In 1928, the Prime Minister allowed the BBC to discuss religious, political, or industrial topics. However, political broadcasts were still watched closely. For example, in the 1930s, the BBC censored talks by Oswald Mosley and Harry Pollitt.
Experimental television broadcasts began in 1929. They used a system invented by John Logie Baird. Regular broadcasts started in 1932. An improved service, the BBC Television Service, began in November 1936. It used a new electronic system. This electronic system was the first of its kind in the world for regular broadcasting.
BBC and Other Media
The rise of broadcasting caused some tension with theatres and recording companies. Comedians sometimes feared that broadcasting their acts would make them less popular. However, the BBC worked with recording companies. Radio plays were very popular. The BBC received thousands of scripts, but most were not suitable for radio. Music broadcasts were also very popular in the 1930s.
Second World War (1939-1946)
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Television broadcasting stopped during World War II, from 1939 to 1946. BBC Radio kept the nation's spirits up. Most radio operations moved out of London. Concerts were broadcast from Bedford Corn Exchange. Famous people like George Orwell worked for the BBC during the war.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave many wartime speeches on BBC Radio. In 1940, French general Charles de Gaulle broadcast a speech from London. He urged the French people not to give up to the Nazis. In October 1940, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret made their first radio broadcast. They spoke on Children's Hour to other children who had been evacuated.
The BBC used its new shortwave radio technology to broadcast worldwide. Within Europe, the BBC European Service gathered war news. This information was carefully checked before broadcast. For example, the BBC Polish Service avoided topics that might upset relations with the Soviet Union. Music by composers from enemy nations was also censored.
Later 20th Century Developments
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After the war, BBC television resumed on June 7, 1946. The European Broadcasting Union was formed in 1950, with the BBC as a founding member.
In 1955, the BBC faced competition from a new commercial TV network, Independent Television (ITV). However, the BBC kept its radio monopoly until 1973. In 1964, the BBC was given a second television channel, BBC2. The original service became BBC1. BBC2 was the first channel to broadcast in colour from 1967. BBC1 and ITV followed in 1969.
In 1964, pirate radio stations started broadcasting. This led the government to allow more radio services. The BBC then changed its radio channels. On September 30, 1967, the Light Programme split into Radio 1 (popular music) and Radio 2 (easy listening). The Third Programme became Radio 3 (classical music). The Home Service became Radio 4 (news and speech). Local BBC radio stations also started in 1967.
In 1974, the BBC launched Ceefax, a teletext service. It provided news and information. The BBC also started to sell its programmes and brands commercially. This led to the creation of BBC Enterprises, later known as BBC Worldwide.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the BBC faced more competition. It also started to sell off parts of its organisation. New channels and radio stations were launched. These included BBC Radio 5 Live (news and sport) in 1994, BBC News 24 (rolling news) in 1997, and BBC Choice (entertainment) in 1998.
21st Century Changes (2000-Present)
In 2002, the BBC reorganised many channels. BBC Knowledge became BBC Four, focusing on arts and documentaries. Children's BBC split into CBBC and CBeebies, each with its own digital channel. New digital radio stations were also created, like 1Xtra (new black music) and 6 Music (alternative music).
Later, BBC Choice became BBC Three (for younger adults). BBC News 24 became the BBC News Channel. BBC Radio 7 became BBC Radio 4 Extra. In 2008, BBC Alba, a Scottish Gaelic channel, was launched.
The BBC also sold off some of its operational divisions to private companies. In 2004, there were questions about the BBC's fairness in reporting. This led to some senior leaders leaving. In 2006, BBC HD launched, showing programmes in high definition.
In 2010, the government froze the licence fee. The BBC also took on the full cost of running the BBC World Service. Further budget cuts were announced in 2011. This meant reducing staff and moving some departments. For example, BBC Three moved to being an online-only channel in 2016. Many BBC offices moved to Broadcasting House in London and MediaCityUK in Salford.
Under a new royal charter in 2017, the BBC must publish a yearly report. It plans to "re-invent" its content to compete with streaming services like Netflix. This includes making content more diverse and investing more in children's digital content.
In 2019, the BBC launched the Trusted News Initiative. This works with news and social media companies to fight against false information. In 2020, the BBC announced more news budget cuts. This means more focus on digital broadcasting to attract younger audiences. In 2023, there were discussions about the BBC's fairness. The chairman, Richard Sharp, resigned after a report about his actions. Samir Shah was appointed as the new chairman in 2024.
How the BBC is Run
The BBC is a special organisation that is independent from direct government control. Its activities are overseen by the BBC Board and regulated by Ofcom. The current chairman is Samir Shah.
Royal Charter and Agreement
The BBC operates under a royal charter. This charter is like a rulebook for the BBC. It explains the BBC's goals and purposes. It says the BBC should focus on public service and be editorially independent. It also says that domestic BBC services should not have advertising.
The charter also states that the BBC works under an 'Agreement' with the government. Ofcom, an outside group, sets its operating licence. The current charter started in 2017 and will end in 2027.
BBC Board
The BBC Board was created in 2017. It sets the BBC's overall plan and checks how well the BBC's executive team is doing. The board also chooses the Director-General. Ofcom is in charge of regulating the BBC. The board has several members, including the Director-General and members from different parts of the UK.
Executive Committee
The executive committee manages the BBC's daily operations. It includes senior managers and meets once a month. This committee handles the day-to-day running of services. It is led by the Director-General, currently Tim Davie.
BBC Divisions
The BBC has different teams that create its content and manage its operations:
- Content: This team is in charge of the BBC's television channels and ordering new programmes.
- Nations and Regions: This team handles the BBC's work in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the different English Regions.
Commercial Activities
The BBC also has commercial parts that help earn extra money:
- BBC Studios: This part sells BBC programmes and products around the world. It also runs international channels. The money it earns goes back to help fund BBC programmes.
- BBC News: This department produces and shares the BBC's commercial global television news channel. It works closely with the main BBC News group.
- BBC Studioworks: This part owns and runs some of the BBC's studios. It rents them out to both BBC and outside productions.
How the BBC is Funded
The BBC has one of the largest budgets of any UK broadcaster. Its main way of getting money is through the television licence fee.
Funding Sources
The television licence costs £169.50 per year (since April 2024). You need this licence to legally watch live TV in the UK. The government sets the cost of the licence. Not paying the fee can lead to legal action.
The BBC uses a company called "TV Licensing" to collect the fees. The money goes to the government, and then the government gives it to the BBC. The BBC also gets money from its commercial businesses, like BBC Worldwide, which sells programmes overseas. In 2018/19, the BBC's total income was £4.889 billion. Most of this came from licence fees.
The licence fee has received some criticism. Some people think it's not fair in today's world with many streaming services. The BBC uses advertising to remind people to pay the fee.
BBC Buildings and Locations
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Broadcasting House in London is the BBC's official headquarters. It is home to many national radio stations and BBC News. The building was renovated and completed in 2012.
Until 2013, BBC Television was based at Television Centre in West London. This building was famous for hosting many programmes. Now, the BBC News operations have moved to Broadcasting House. This helps centralise the BBC's London work.
The BBC is also producing more programmes outside London. Major departments have moved to MediaCityUK in Salford. This includes BBC Sport, BBC Children's, and BBC Radio 5 Live. This makes Salford the BBC's largest base outside London.
Other important BBC production centres are in Belfast, Cardiff, and Glasgow. Cardiff is known for drama production, like Doctor Who. Bristol is home to the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, which makes famous wildlife documentaries. The BBC also has many smaller local studios across the UK.
BBC Services
Television Channels
The BBC runs several TV channels in the UK and internationally. BBC One and BBC Two are the main channels. Other channels include:
- BBC Three: For younger adults.
- BBC Four: For arts and documentaries.
- BBC News Channel: For UK news.
- BBC News International: For worldwide news.
- BBC Parliament: For parliamentary coverage.
- CBBC and CBeebies: For children.
BBC One has regional versions for local news and programmes. These are more noticeable in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. BBC Two was the first channel to broadcast in colour.
A new Scottish Gaelic TV channel, BBC Alba, launched in 2008. It makes almost all its programmes in Scotland.
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The BBC also has HD versions of most of its channels. BBC One HD launched in 2010, and BBC Two HD in 2013. Scotland's new channel, BBC Scotland, launched in 2019.
BBC channels are also available in some other countries like Ireland and Belgium. Since 1975, the BBC has provided its TV programmes to the British Forces Broadcasting Service for UK military serving abroad.
Since 2008, all BBC channels can be watched online using the BBC iPlayer service. This allows viewers to stream live TV and catch up on programmes for seven days after they are broadcast.
BBC Genome Project
In 2012, the BBC scanned all its programme listings from Radio Times magazines from 1923 to 2009. This created the "BBC Genome project." It's an online database of BBC programmes. It lists about five million programmes and millions of people who worked on them. The public can help correct errors in the database.
Radio Stations
The BBC has ten national radio stations for the UK. It also has seven stations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and 39 local stations in England. The five main national stations are:
- BBC Radio 1: New music and popular styles.
- BBC Radio 2: Adult contemporary, country, and soul music.
- BBC Radio 3: Classical and jazz music, plus cultural talks.
- BBC Radio 4: News, current affairs, drama, and comedy.
- BBC Radio 5 Live: 24-hour news, sport, and talk.
There are also five digital-only stations:
- BBC Radio 1Xtra: New black music and urban tracks.
- BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: Extra sports analysis and coverage.
- BBC Radio 6 Music: Alternative music genres.
- BBC Radio 4 Extra: Archive drama, comedy, and children's programmes.
- BBC Asian Network: Music, talk, and news for the Asian community.
The BBC also has 40 BBC Local Radio stations across England and the Channel Islands. These cover specific cities, counties, or areas. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, there are also specific stations like BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Scotland.
For a global audience, the BBC World Service provides news and information in 28 languages. It reaches over 150 capital cities. It broadcasts on shortwave radio, DAB, and online. It has a weekly audience of 192 million people. Since 2005, it's also available on DAB in the UK.
Historically, the BBC was the only legal radio broadcaster in the UK mainland until 1967. Today, BBC radio stations are still among the most listened-to in the country.
News Services
BBC News is the largest news operation in the world. It provides news for BBC radio and TV networks. News stories are also available on the BBC Red Button service and BBC News Online. The BBC has also developed ways to access news on mobile phones and through email alerts.
When big events happen, like the 7 July 2005 London bombings or royal events, many people in the UK turn to the BBC for coverage. On July 7, 2005, the BBC Online website had a record number of visitors.
Internet Services
The BBC's online presence includes a detailed news website and archive. The first official online service was launched in 1994. The website is funded by the licence fee. The BBC says its site is "Europe's most popular content-based site." Over 13 million people in the UK visit the site daily.
The website's homepage allows users to customise what information they see. It links to other sites like BBC News Online, Sport, and Weather. Every BBC TV or radio programme has its own page or micro-site.
A big part of the site is the BBC iPlayer. This platform allows users to watch and listen to most TV and radio programmes live and for seven days after broadcast.
The BBC also offers learning services online, like BBC WebWise. These teach people how to use the internet. Some online companies have complained that BBC Online gets too much funding from the licence fee. They argue this makes it hard for other websites to compete. The BBC has responded by changing its online services. It now aims to fill gaps in the market and guide users to other websites for existing information. This has led to the closure of some BBC websites.
Interactive Television
BBC Red Button is the BBC's interactive TV service. It's available through digital TV platforms like Freeview. It shows full-colour graphics, photos, and videos. It provides news, weather, and sport 24 hours a day. It also offers extra features related to specific programmes. For example, viewers can play along with game shows or vote on issues. During big sporting events, less mainstream coverage is often available on the Red Button.
Music and Other Ventures
The BBC has five staff orchestras and a professional choir. These include the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Glasgow.
The BBC Proms are a famous classical music festival produced by the BBC every year since 1927. The BBC's orchestras are a key part of the Proms.
Many famous musicians have played at the BBC. The BBC also broadcasts the Glastonbury Festival and Reading and Leeds Festivals. It covers the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK.
Besides broadcasting, the BBC runs other projects. It uses BBC Big Screens in city centres to show programmes. The BBC and the government also run BBC Monitoring, which watches news from around the world. In the 1980s, the BBC even developed computers, like the BBC Micro, for educational purposes.
Ceefax
The BBC had the world's first teletext service called Ceefax. It ran from 1974 until 2012. It showed information pages like news, sport, and weather. Ceefax was very popular. After the digital TV switchover, the BBC's Red Button Service replaced Ceefax.
BritBox
In 2016, the BBC partnered with ITV to create an international online streaming service called BritBox. It launched in 2017. BritBox offers a collection of classic BBC and ITV shows. It also makes some programmes available shortly after they air in the UK. BritBox is available in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Cultural Importance
Before television became popular, radio was the main way people in the UK got news and entertainment. The BBC's radio service united the nation, especially during World War II. The BBC also launched the world's first "high-definition" television service in 1936. It was the only TV broadcaster in the UK until 1955.
Even with competition from commercial TV and radio, the BBC remains a key part of British culture. It produces TV and radio programmes for everyone. BBC Two allowed the BBC to create programmes for specific interests, like dramas, documentaries, and sports. Famous BBC shows include Doctor Who, Monty Python's Flying Circus, and Fawlty Towers. Top of the Pops, the world's longest-running weekly music show, started in 1964. Match of the Day has been on air since 1964. Some BBC shows, like The Great British Bake Off, have even influenced society by making baking more popular.
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The BBC broadcasts the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) and the British Academy Television Awards.
The term "BBC English" used to refer to a standard way of speaking English. However, the BBC now uses more regional accents to show the diversity of the UK. The BBC has also become more inclusive, trying to serve all parts of society.
Nicknames for the BBC
Older UK audiences often call the BBC "the Beeb." This nickname was first used by Peter Sellers in the 1950s. It was made popular by radio DJ Kenny Everett. Another nickname, less common now, is "Auntie." This might come from the idea of "Auntie knows best" or from children's programme presenters. The song "Auntie" was released in 1972 to celebrate the BBC's 50th anniversary. Sometimes, both nicknames are used together as "Auntie Beeb."
BBC Logos and Symbols
Logos
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BBC's first three-box logo used from 1958 until 1963
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BBC's second three-box logo used from 1963 until 1971
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BBC's third three-box logo used from 1971 until 1988
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BBC's fourth three-box logo used from 1997 until 1998
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BBC's fifth three-box logo used since 1997
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BBC's sixth and current three-box logo used since 2021
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Coat of Arms
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Images for kids
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The BBC's East Africa bureau in Nairobi, Kenya. It is the broadcaster's biggest bureau outside of the UK.
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The 1931 Christmas issue of the Radio Times, a weekly listings magazine, first published by the BBC.
