If you are making a programme that is not a BBC public service commission, then you will need to access BBC Archive material through Motion Gallery.
Access to Archive online
If you work for BBC Public Service you are required to complete your name, email address, role and reason for access on the form on the Registration page.
If you work for an independent production company or BBC Studios Production and are currently working on a BBC commission or paid development, you can apply for access to Archive Search. Instructions on how to do this can be found here.
All users must accept the Terms & Conditions of Use and understand their personal liability if they are found to be in breach of these terms.
Archive Services
For advice on archive tools and services, including training and support, across TV and Radio, please contact the Archives Enquiries team at [email protected]
We can be contacted between 9:30am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
For help and guidance in using archive tools, there are a range of training modules available.
- Digital Archive - Terms and Conditions for Independent Production CompaniesIf you are an Independent Production Company and are currently working on a BBC commission, then you may apply for access to the BBC Digital Archive.
- Accessing the BBC Digital Archive in BBC StudiosIf you work in BBC Studios and are currently working on a BBC commission, then you may apply for access to the BBC Digital Archive.
Sport Library Access
For enquiries about the use of BBC Sport Library archive content please contact [email protected]
For enquiries about sports rights, please contact [email protected]
- [email protected]Order TV and Radio content
Music Library Access
BBC MusicBox is the BBC's music library and clearance system for anyone making content for the BBC.
- BBC Academy: How to use MusicBoxHelpcards and guides
Sheet Music: BBC Archives holds a comprehensive sheet music collection, ranging from orchestral sets to pop song copies, libretti, sheet music anthologies and composers collected works. Hard copy scores and parts for performance and production can be produced to meet BBC Production requests. External access to material is on a ‘library of last resort’ basis, and strictly limited to professional performing groups only.
Please contact the Sheet Music Library team on [email protected].
Pronunciation Unit
The Unit provides research and advice on pronunciation. When making enquiries, users are asked to provide details of the BBC network, programme, the deadline and any relevant contextual information. Please refer to the BBC Text Spelling Guide.
You can contact the Pronunciation Unit via email [email protected]
The Photo Library
The Photo Library licenses BBC copyright images for use in the media. If you are producing content for a BBC public service commission you can access the Photo Library service without the need to pay licence fees for BBC images.
If you are working on a non-BBC commission or are wishing to re-license images for use beyond the BBC, reproduction fees will be applicable.
If you wish to search and purchase images you can access the Photo Sales site. Reproduction fees are charged at the point of downloading hi-resolution images.
- BBC Photo Library sales websiteReproduction fees will be charged at the point of downloading hi-res images.
Written Archives
The Written Archives Centre holds the permanent written records of the BBC. These are the working papers of the organisation, created during the normal course of business and cover the wide range of activities the BBC has engaged in since it was founded in 1922.
The Written Archives Centre provides copies of production documentation (scripts, PasBs, PasCs, contracts) to BBC content producers to assist with rights clearances and compliance with legal, business and Charter requirements.
For all production documentation requests, please complete the Written Archives Centre Enquiry Form and return by email to [email protected].
The Written Archives Centre also provides research access to the archives for BBC and independent media content producers, academics and non-commercial writers. Please visit the Written Archives Centre pages for more information about our holdings, the terms of access and how to contact us.
Rights Clearance
You must clear all archive content prior to reuse and ensure that any reuse meets the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines
Within Archive Search, there is a clip clearance tool. This can be found by going to the “Rights and Restrictions” tab within the programme details on Archive Search. This process is managed by the BBC’s Commercial Rights and Business Affairs team.
Further information on the use of BBC archive content within your programme can be found on the BBC Content Delivery Archive Rights and Clearances page.
Archive Deliverables
If you produce content for the BBC, there are a set of deliverables that you must deliver to the BBC ahead of transmission. These will then be sent to the archive after transmission to ensure that they are archived for future reuse and exploitation.
If you have any questions about the archiving of content then please contact [email protected]
Archive Policy
The Archives Technology and Services team is responsible for setting the policies and guidelines that govern the management of the BBC’s Archive Collections
The BBC’s Corporate Archive Policy sets out the reasons why we maintain and manage an archive for the BBC and the obligations for everyone that generates content on behalf of the BBC.
The Archives Technology and Services team also maintain a set of guidelines for how we manage and maintain the different archive collections. This includes our guidelines on restrictions and disposal processes.
If you have any questions about BBC Archive policies, please contact [email protected]
