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.
Importing the best
Bringing the best international drama to British viewers was a tradition that began on the BBC 70 years ago. Writer and broadcaster Paul Hayes explores this fascinating little-known area of broadcasting history. Image: Canadian television drama director Sydney Newman at the BBC.
Anniversaries
The first example of a fly-on-the-wall documentary on British Television was The Family. The Wilkins of Reading were filmed by the BBC for 18 hours a day over three months. It was a fascinating insight into daily life in the 1970s. The first episode was seen on this day in 1974.
Women of the Workshop
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop introduced generations of audiences to the possibilities of electronic music and opened this month in 1958. Dr. David Butler, Senior Lecturer in Drama and Screen Studies, examines the work of the women who shaped the Workshop's early projects.
80 years on
Letter from America marks its 80th birthday this year. Dive into the written archives of the series with Glenda Cooper and Howard Tumber of City St. George's, University of London. Image: Alistair Cooke, presenter of Letter From America.
Objects of the BBC
Here are the key 100 objects that tell the inside story of the BBC - are you ready for giant hands and an iconic trilby hat? Explore our Objects of the BBC gallery.
Faces of the BBC
From correspondents in the field and presenters in studio to actors on set, our Faces of the BBC gallery is the place for iconic images of BBC people.
Buildings of the BBC
In collaboration with the Google Cultural Institute and the Royal Institute of British Architects, these are the iconic BBC buildings that have made their mark on history. Image: BBC Beechgrove Terrace studios, Aberdeen, 1938.
BBC Directors-General
Matt Brittin is the 18th Director-General of the BBC. Matt, former President Google EMEA, takes over the role on 18 May 2026. Our gallery explores the life and times of the leaders of the BBC.
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.
