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 The first episode of Z Cars - broadcast on 2 January 1962 - brought a new type of police drama to British screens, and included modern police in squad cars coming to the rescue! -
Broadcasting moments BBC History brings in the New Year with major innovation stories as told through the BBC's collection of broadcasting kit and paraphernalia. -
Doctor Who at 60 Discover where the Doctor Who journey through space and time began. Did you spend your childhood watching it behind the sofa? We want your early memories of the series. -
Panorama - in its 70th year The world's longest running current affairs programme was first aired in November 1953. For its anniversary year Professor Jamie Medhurst of Aberystwyth University examines how the programme re-imagined itself for the 21st century. -
Objects of the BBC Detective series have evolved considerably since Z Cars, and so have the costumes! This Belstaff Milford coat was worn by Benedict Cumberbatch for Sherlock. -
Faces of the BBC Vicky Mclure as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming, the role that made her a household name in Jed Mecurio’s compulsive drama, Line of Duty, 2021. -
Voices of the BBC From the BBC Oral History Collection here are the key personalities, producers, and innovators that tell the inside story of the BBC. -
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 over the years. -
BBC Exhibitions Look out for events that showcase Doctor Who in the coming weeks and months, as the series gears up to celebrate 60 years of time travel. (Image: Andrew Skilleter). -
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.
