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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Festive BBC Anniversaries
A smörgåsbord of treats across the BBC are making this festive season one to remember. At this time of year programme makers pull out all the stops to showcase the best in drama, comedy and family entertainment. The special winter holiday line-up has been a tradition dating back decades, as our December anniversaries reveal. -
Soap - a festive celebration
Family reconciliation, proposals of marriage, a bust up in the pub - something big is bound to happen in the soaps at this time of year. Enjoy our tour of BBC Christmas past. Image: Pam St Clement returns for a festive EastEnders, 2025. -
Whirligig - launch of a children's television classic
In the winter of 1950, the BBC started an exciting and innovative new programme for children - Whirligig. The BBC's Paul Hayes dips into the archives to find out more about this very unusual puppet show, 75 years on. -
Screen Two at 40 - celebrating drama at the BBC
Single one-off dramas once dominated British television, but as tastes changed a transition to feature film style production began to emerge. Lilian Crawford, writer and PhD researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London explores 40 years of television drama at the BBC. -
The BBC and Time
For decades, many people ordered their lives around the time their favourite radio or television programme was broadcast. David Hendy, Professor Emeritus, University of Sussex, examines the extent the BBC has become the nation’s time-keeper. -
60 years of South Asian programmes across the BBC
A journey through the archives to celebrate the landmark music shows and programmes that have impacted British South Asian communities for 50 years since 1965. -
Objects of the BBC
This famous green leather chair was the repose of one of Scotland’s best-loved and gloomiest comedy characters, The Revd I M Jolly. From 1978 until 1999, he delivered his comedy message to ring in the New Year from this iconic piece of furniture. Read more about this and other Objects of the BBC 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: Showtown, Blackpool Museum Trust.
Links
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BBC Archive
Hand-picked and popular selections from the BBC archives. -
The Researchers
Features by academics from across the world looking at a wide range of BBC related subjects. -
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.