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
"Nina is a young woman unable to cope with the death of her lover Jamie. One day she misses him so much that he comes back!" The iconic drama, Truly Madly Deeply, starring Juliet Stevenson was first seen in March 1992. Read more about this and other BBC anniversaries here. -
Popular Drama and the BBC
Fantasy, costume drama, science fiction, realist plays - the BBC has done it all. Jamie Medhurst, Professor of Media and Communication, Aberystwyth University examines some historical highlights. -
Plays on the BBC
Truly Madly Deeply was part of the Screen 2 anthology - groundbreaking single plays by the major writers of the day. 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 month, Felicity Finch (Ruth Archer) reveals some of the lesser-known aspects of the series for the BBC Oral History Collection. -
Objects of the BBC
As we celebrate BBC drama, the classic serial remains key to the BBC's creative story. This is the famous white shirt worn by Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Read more here. -
Faces of the BBC
This is Lady Dedlock in Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Gillian Anderson starred in the lead role in 2005. Faces of the BBC has more iconic images. -
Building of the week
This is BBC Northern Ireland's headquarters - since 1941. Broadcasting House, Belfast, is still very much in operation today. 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: Dad's Army Museum, Thetford.
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.
