History of the BBC
Explore the history of the BBC since its foundation in 1922 to the present day
Explore the BBC’s rich history - uncover the stories behind topical anniversaries, delve into fascinating objects from our diverse collections, or take a deeper look through one of our long‑form articles.
And tell us your memories of what the BBC means to you.
The Third at 80 – a brief history of the unexpected
Professor Emeritus, David Hendy explores the fascinating world of Radio 3's predecessor, The Third Programme, launched on this day 80 years ago.
Anniversaries
The first televised Come Dancing, a live broadcast of the final of the British Formation Dancing Trophy, was screened for the first time on this day in 1950. Read about this and other anniversaries here.
The One Show at 20
Getting the UK talking for two decades, The One Show has reached a milestone! Throughout August, BBC History celebrates 20 years of the iconic show through a rich archive of remarkable images, and memorable moments.
The Maida Vale Legacy
The BBC at Maida Vale has seen a vast array of performers, a diverse range of musical genres and countless creative individuals pass through its doors since 1934. Join us on a celebratory journey through broadcasting history.
Attenborough 100
Sir David Attenborough is 100 and to mark the occasion, BBC History has opened up the BBC Archives to bring you some extraordinary insights into the life of the legendary natural history broadcaster.
The Women’s Sport Story across the BBC
Throughout the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, we reflect on how women’s sport has been depicted in BBC content since the 1920s. Explore some extraordinary archive documents, images and rarely-seen footage here.
BBC Heritage Trail
See the latest updates to the BBC Heritage Trail of blue commemorative plaques across the UK and the rest of Europe, marking major broadcasting moments and landmarks.
BBC Directors-General
Matt Brittin is the new Director-General of the BBC. 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.
