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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Anniversaries
BBC Two was the first regularly scheduled television in channel in Europe to broadcast in colour, but audiences were small. By November 1969 all that changed with colour coming into the mainstream, as BBC One started its own colour service. -
Bumbling Monks and Hot Priests - 30 years of Vicar of Dibley
To celebrate thirty years of the Vicar of Dibley this November, David Hendy Emeritus Professor at the University of Sussex takes us through a brief history of TV’s most influential comedy priests. -
The BBC ident history
From black and white into colour and through to the digital age - see how BBC identities have changed over the years. -
Timeline
Our timeline brings together a selection of the BBC's best-known programmes and an overview of some of the many milestones that have shaped the corporation in its first 100 years. -
Objects of the BBC
A testcard has appeared on BBC Television in various forms since programmes began in 1936. Testcard F is one of the best remembered examples. Objects of the BBC has more. -
Faces of the BBC
Although there were official launch moments for the start of colour on BBC One and Two, publicly broadcast colour tests started in the UK from the 1950s. Discussion programme Late Night Line-Up was also used as a test bed for colour and Joan Bakewell was its main presenter. -
Voices of the BBC
From the BBC Oral History Collection here are some of the key personalities, producers, and innovators that tell the inside story of the BBC. -
Share your Memories
Tell us your recollections of past BBC programmes. How have these shows or series informed or entertained you or a relative over the years? -
BBC Exhibitions
Look out for events and exhibitions showcasing BBC entertainment, science, and war programming, international broadcasting, and vintage radio and TV equipment. Image: Image: ffotoNant. -
Plaques
The BBC Heritage Trail brings together newly commissioned blue plaques and existing plaque schemes to celebrate the buildings used for broadcasting over the decades. Also featured are plaques installed as part of David Olusoga’s landmark series Black and British - A Forgotten History, and the BBC Music Day plaques created for BBC Local Radio.
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.
