Key Facts

BBC News and Current Affairs is at the heart of the BBC's output.

It is responsible for newsgathering and the production of national daily, business and political news and current affairs programmes for BBC Television, Radio, Online and Mobile.

It does not produce the BBC's UK regional news programmes, which are produced by BBC Nations and Regions.

It is the largest broadcast news operation in the world, producing about 120 hours of output daily (44,000 hours a year), with more than 2,000 journalists.

Based at the News Centre at BBC Television Centre in London, BBC News has regional offices across the UK, as well as newsgathering bureaux around the world.

BBC News is also a global news provider with BBC World News and BBC World Service reaching viewers and listeners worldwide.

These services are funded by commercial income and Foreign Office grants respectively, not by the licence fee.

All BBC journalism strives to be impartial, accurate and independent – as required by the BBC's Royal Charter.

The Director of News is Helen Boaden and Stephen Mitchell is Deputy Director.

History

The BBC's first radio news bulletin was broadcast on 14 November 1922.

The first television news bulletin was broadcast on 5 July 1954.

The BBC News channel, which used to be called BBC News 24, and website launched in November 1997.

More about The history of BBC News.

Multi-media newsroom

The multi-media newsroom, programmes and newgathering departments were announced in 2007, and went live in April 2008.

The multi-media newsroom brings together elements of News to produce a department where journalistic excellence can flourish and where the quality people expect of the BBC on all its platforms can be maintained.

It helps ensure that BBC News is ready to meet the challenges of an on-demand world.

The Head of the Multi-media Newsroom is Peter Horrocks.

Multi-media programmes

The multi-media programmes department brings together all the major daily and weekly current affairs brands, investigative journalism and major interview programmes including Panorama, Today and Newsnight.

The department is a journalistic powerhouse for the kind of original journalism which distinguishes the BBC from all its competitors.

Interviews and original journalism are shared across news adding real value for audiences by bringing exceptional expertise together to find and break more news stories.

Stephen Mitchell is Head of the Multi-media Programmes department.

Multi-media newsgathering

BBC News newsgathering is equipped to serve both the newsroom and the new programmes department.

It maintains a bureaux presence whilst maximising impact for audiences by fully integrating specialist reporters with their News Interactive colleagues.

Fran Unsworth is Head of Multi-media Newsgathering.

BBC News channel won the Royal Television Society Channel of the Year award in 2006.

It aims to deliver news and analysis all day, every day.

Launched in 1997 as BBC News 24, the BBC News channel provides fast, comprehensive coverage of events as they unfold – locally, nationally and internationally.

BBC Parliament is the only UK channel dedicated to the coverage of politics. In 2008, the channel celebrated its tenth anniversary.

It broadcasts selected debates and committees from Westminster, and programmes that explore the politics behind the debates as well as historic programming from the BBC archive.

The channel is watched by more than a million viewers every month and is available on all digital TV platforms.

The music on all BBC television news programmes was composed by David Lowe, and introduced in 1999.

BBC News website

The BBC News website is the most popular news website in the UK.

It contains local, national and international news coverage, as well as political, sport, entertainment, business, education, health, technology and science/nature news.

Certain BBC television and radio news and current affairs programmes are available to listen or watch again online and on BBC iPlayer.

Steve Herrmann is Editor, BBC News website.

Audiences

Across television, radio and online, BBC News recorded a claimed weekly reach of 81% of the UK adult population aged over 15 years during 2007/08. This represented 39 million people.

BBC News flagship programmes and bulletins

BBC Breakfast
The BBC's morning news programme on BBC News channel and BBC One, presented by Bill Turnbull and Sian Williams.

Broadcasting House
A weekly current affairs programme on BBC Radio 4 presented by Paddy O'Connell.

Click
BBC TV's flagship technology lifestyle programme on BBC News channel.

The Daily Politics
A look at the stories behind the stories, on BBC Two when Parliament is in session.

File On 4
Radio 4's flagship investigative series.

Hardtalk
A daily current affairs interview programme on BBC News channel and BBC World News.

Newsnight
BBC Two's late night news and current affairs programme, presented by Jeremy Paxman, Kirsty Wark, Gavin Esler and Emily Maitlis.

Newswatch
Represents viewers to get answers to their criticisms of BBC News. On BBC News channel.

BBC News At One
A round-up on national and international news, presented by Sophie Raworth on BBC News channel and BBC One.

Panorama
The longest-running investigative television programme in the world, on BBC One.

PM
Radio 4's evening look at the day's events, presented by Eddie Mair and Carolyn Quinn.

Politics Show
Reports and interviews on politics, on BBC One.

Question Time
British voters quiz top decision-makers on the events of the day, on BBC One.

BBC News At Six
A round-up on national and international news, presented by George Alagiah on BBC News channel and BBC One.

The Andrew Marr Show
BBC One's flagship political programme, presented by Andrew Marr.

BBC News At Ten
A round-up on national and international news, presented by Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce, on BBC News channel and BBC One.

This World
International documentaries on BBC Two.

The Today Programme
Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme, presented by John Humphrys, Sarah Montague, James Naughtie and Evan Davis.

Working Lunch
A daily taste of the latest developments in business and personal finance, on BBC Two.

The World
BBC Four's daily news bulletin focussed on international news, presented by Lyse Doucet.

The World At One
Radio 4's leading political programme, presented by Eddie Mair.

World Tonight
Analysis of the day's national and international stories, on Radio 4.