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.
Anniversaries
The bowler hatted Mr Benn was first seen on BBC television in February 1971 - countless generations later, he's still fondly remembered. Read more about this and other BBC anniversaries here.
The BBC LGBT+ legacy
For LGBT+ History Month, explore our BBC timeline and find out how gay characters have been portrayed over the decades in BBC drama. Image: Myra Frances as Harvey and Alison Steadman as Jackie, exploring their relationship in James Robson's BBC TV drama "Girl", February 1974.
Plays on the BBC
On this day in 1981, Anna Calder Marshall and Hilary Mason starred in Michael Rolfe's "Days" - a major production for the BBC 2 Playhouse series. To celebrate the single television drama, film and culture writer Lillian Crawford examines the BBC's wider dramatic portfolio.
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 year, Felicity Finch (Ruth Archer) reveals some of the lesser-known aspects of the series for the BBC Oral History Collection.
Objects of the BBC
The BBC relished being at the cutting edge of television technology when it launched the world's first regular "high definition" television service in 1936. This painting shows a behind the scenes glimpse of how a television programme was made 90 years ago. Objects of the BBC tells the story.
Faces of the BBC
By 1939 the BBC Television Service had entered the world of drag, having offered Douglas Byng his own variety show. Faces of the BBC has more.
Building of the week
This is BBC Queen's House, London. At one time this was a hub of BBC activity, making radio programmes for English language learners all over the world. Read more about this and other BBC buildings here.
BBC Exhibitions
Look out for events and exhibitions showcasing BBC entertainment, science, and war programming, international broadcasting, and vintage radio and TV equipment. Image: The Radio Museum, Watchet, Somerset.
Links
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.
