BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It produces programmes and information services: broadcasting on television, radio, and the Internet.

History

Main article: Timeline of the BBC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The British Broadcasting Company was founded in 1922 by various private firms, to broadcast experimental radio services. The first transmission was on 14 November. (For the history of the BBC before 1927 see British Broadcasting Company, and for a complete list of articles see BBC (index).)

Related Topics:
British Broadcasting Company - 1922 - 14 November - BBC (index)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The BBC, with John Reith as general manager, took on its current form in 1927 when it was granted a Royal Charter of incorporation. It started experimental television broadcasting in 1932, becoming a regular service (known as the BBC Television Service) in 1936. Television broadcasting was suspended during the Second World War.

Related Topics:
John Reith - 1927 - Royal Charter - 1932 - BBC Television Service - 1936 - Second World War

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Competition to the BBC was introduced for the first time in 1955 with the commercially and independently operated ITV. The BBC introduced a second TV channel, (BBC 2), in 1964, renaming the existing channel BBC 1. BBC 2 was broadcast in colour from 1967, and was joined by BBC 1 in 1969.

Related Topics:
1955 - ITV - 1964 - 1967 - 1969

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since the deregulation of the UK television and radio market in the 1980s, the BBC has faced increased competition from the commercial sector (and from the advertiser-funded public service broadcaster Channel 4), especially on satellite television, cable television, and digital television services.

Related Topics:
Deregulation - 1980s - Channel 4 - Satellite television - Cable television - Digital television

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~