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
On this day in 1958 the BBC unveiled its own videotape recorder - VERA, the Vision Electronic Recording Apparatus. Richard Dimbleby demonstrated the enormous machine on an edition of Panorama. Read more about this and other BBC anniversaries here.
The BBC R&D Story
How technology developed by the BBC has shaped the wider broadcast world for more than 100 years. Bill Thomson, technology commentator and Principal R&D Engineer at the BBC explains.
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.
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
An object that may play a part in our lives in 10, 20, and 30 years from now is seen through the eyes of young people today and explored in our Objects of the BBC gallery.
Faces of the BBC
Faces of the BBC presents Joan Bakewell from Late Night Line Up in 1967, BBC Two. The arts review show pioneered colour television production from as early as April 1966.
Buildings of the Week
Television Centre in west London was equipped to make programmes in colour some time before the first official colour transmissions in July 1967. Read more about this BBC building here.
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.
