History of the BBC
Explore the history of the BBC since its foundation in 1922 to the present day
Explore the BBC’s rich history - uncover the stories behind topical anniversaries, delve into fascinating objects from our diverse collections, or take a deeper look through one of our long‑form articles.
And tell us your memories of what the BBC means to you.
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Anniversaries
"A frank account of life on the ocean waves in one of her majesty’s ships" was the Radio Times billing for Sailor first seen in August 1976. Read more about this and other BBC anniversaries here. -
The Shipping Forecast - a history
An exploration of more than 100 years of the Shipping Forecast - essential listening for any UK mariner. Read more about this fascinating history here. -
The Maida Vale Legacy
The BBC at Maida Vale has seen a vast array of performers, a diverse range of musical genres and countless creative individuals pass through its doors since 1934. Join us on a celebratory journey through broadcasting history. -
The Women’s Sport Story across the BBC
Throughout the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, we reflect on how women’s sport has been depicted in BBC content since the 1920s. Explore some extraordinary archive documents, images and rarely-seen footage here. -
The Return of Television
The BBC Television Service, Europe's first post-war television channel was launched in the summer of 1946. 80 years on, media historian Paul Hayes marvels at the speed at which the service was restarted, after years laying dormant during the Second World War. Image: Jasmine Bligh, the first presenter to be seen on BBC Television, 1946. -
Our Friends in the North Remembered
Our Friends in the North is back on BBC iPlayer. This is our exploration of the impact and legacy of the iconic drama and what it had to say about the BBC 30 years ago. -
Attenborough 100
Sir David Attenborough is 100 and to mark the occasion, BBC History has opened up the BBC Archives to bring you some extraordinary insights into the life of the legendary natural history broadcaster. -
BBC Directors-General
Matt Brittin is the new Director-General of the BBC. Our gallery explores the life and times of the leaders of the BBC.
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.