The History Of The Bbc

The History of the BBC By Si Pui and Becky

1920’s • The British Broadcasting Company was formed in October 1922 by a group of wireless manufacturers. • Daily broadcasting began from a London studio on 14th November and the next day to Manchester and Birmingham. • By 1925 the BBC could be heard throughout most of the UK • The General strike of 1926 saw no regular newspapers being published, the country turned to BBC for the news

BBC announcers

1930’s • Throughout the thirties, eminent figures, including writers, performers, artists and actors, were heard in talks, plays, sport and children’s programmes. • On 2nd November 1936 the BBC opened the world’s first regular service of high definition television. • BBC were the first to include important landmarks such as Wimbledon coverage (1937) and the first FA Cup final (1938)

BBC Broadcasting House

1940’s • With the television service closed for the duration of the Second World War the radio took control over broadcasting the news. • The BBC emerged from the war with an enhanced reputation for honesty and accuracy in its news broadcasts. • By the end of the war, the BBC was broadcasting in 40 languages.

BBC after WWII

1950’s • On 2nd June 1953, a single event changed the course of television history. An estimated 22 million saw the queen crowned. • As television licence income grew, more ambitious programmes were possible and new stars emerged such as David Attenborough • As the ITV transmitter network expanded, the BBC lost viewers at an alarming rate, and its share of the viewing audience fell to 28% in 1957.

The Queen being crowned

1960’s • The 1960’s brought more up-to-date content that reflected the times and the expectations of audiences. • In 1960 the television and radio praised public service broadcasting and authorised the launch of BBC Two in 1964 • Colour television broadcasts began on BBC Two in 1967, and BBC One in 1969

BBC Two

1970’s • This was the ‘golden age’ of television. Income grew as more homes bought television licences and more switched to colour • In 1972 the CEEFAX text service was introduced and the subtitling of programmes on CEEFAX began in 1979 • The BBC faced many challenges from the Government regarding programme output and as a result, this paved the way for the establishment of channel 4.

BBC CEEFAX

1980’s • Important television programmes came about including Newsnight (1980), Watchdog (1985) and Eastenders (1985), which regularly pulled in 12 million viewers. • It was a decade of competitive and political pressure on the BBC. Channel 4 went on air in 1982, more radio stations opened and satellite television services was launched. • The BBC contemplated satellite, but judged the risks and cost to be too great.

Eastenders

1990’s • BBC Online, an internet service which did not exist at the beginning of the 90s, was one of the leading websites in Europe by the end of 1999 • Radio 5, the first new network for 23 years, opened in August 1990, offering sport and learning opportunities. • In the face of growing competition, the BBC sought to offer a range of programmes that commercially funded broadcasters would not provide.

Radio 5 launched

2000’s • The BBC opened the new millennium with the most ambitious programme in its history. It lasted 28 hours and involved 60 nations, and was seen in over 80 countries worldwide • Digital expansion followed with the launch of BBC Four, Cbeebies, CBBC and BBC Three • In 2007, the BBC launched IPlayer, a service that allows people to download television programmes on to their computers to watch after the broadcast.

BBC IPlayer