History of the BBC

  • The British Broadcasting Company is formed.

    The Company was to be financed by a royalty on the sale of BBC wireless receiving sets from approved manufacturers and by a licence fee.
  • Period: to

    BBC Timeline

  • First BBC broadcasts from London

    Radio, Station 2LO
  • First Outside Broadcast

    The British National Opera Company's production of The Magic Flute from Covent Garden.
  • Postmaster Gerneral grants the BBC a licence

  • First British Radio Sports Reporter

    Edgar Wallace makes a report on the Epsom Derby.
  • Bomb explodes outside Television Centre

    Bomb explodes outside Television Centre
    The blast was later attributed to dissident Irish Republican terrorists and it is suggested the BBC Panorama programme which named individuals as participants in the Omagh bomb was the motive.
  • BBC London is launched

    BBC London is launched
    Replacing Newsroom South East.
  • BBC Two rebrands

    BBC Two rebrands
  • BBC Four is launched

    BBC Four is launched
    BBC Four is launched at 19:00 in a simulcast with BBC Two. It replaces BBC Knowledge.
  • BBC 6 Music is launched

    BBC 6 Music is launched
  • BBC One rebrands with the Rhythm and Movement Idents

    BBC One rebrands with the Rhythm and Movement Idents
    This consisted of dancers in red dancing in different locations. The red box logo was also used for these idents. For the first time in 39 years, a globe is not included in the presentation.
  • BBC Three is launched at 19:00 in a simulcast with BBC Two.

    BBC Three is launched at 19:00 in a simulcast with BBC Two.
    It replaces BBC Choice.
  • Appointment of Michael Grade as new Chairman

    Appointment of Michael Grade as new Chairman
  • Mark Thompson new Director General

    Mark Thompson new Director General
  • Doctor Who returns to the air

    Doctor Who returns to the air
    It was last broadcast in 1989.
  • The BBC's first scheduled HDTV broadcast on BBC HD

    The BBC's first scheduled HDTV broadcast on BBC HD
  • BBC One rebrands from the Rhythm and Movement idents to the current "Circle" Idents, which acts as a link to the classic globe icon used for almost 40 years and as a symbol of unity.

    BBC One rebrands from the Rhythm and Movement idents to the current "Circle" Idents, which acts as a link to the classic globe icon used for almost 40 years and as a symbol of unity.
    This represents a link to the classic globe icon used for almost 40 years and as a symbol of unity.
  • The BBC's then-current Royal Charter and Agreement expires

  • CBBC identity relaunched

    CBBC identity relaunched
  • BBC iPlayer is launched

    BBC iPlayer is launched
    An online service for watching previously aired shows.
  • BBC Three has its identity relaunched

    BBC Three has its identity relaunched
  • BBC One HD is launched

    BBC One HD is launched
    BBC One HD; a high-definition simulcast of a national version of BBC One is launched across all digital platforms.
  • Royal Wedding

    Royal Wedding
    The Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton takes place, with the BBC airing the ceremonies across its radio, TV and online platforms in the UK.
  • George Entwistle is appointed as Director-General.

    George Entwistle is appointed as Director-General.
    George Entwistle is appointed as Director-General.
  • Tony Hall is the new Director General

    Tony Hall is the new Director General
    Tony Hall is announced as the new Director-General, taking the post in March 2013 after his predcessor steps down.
  • BBC Two commences broadcasting in HD

    Due to the closure of BBC HD.
  • BBC Television Centre closes in Shepherd's Bush

    BBC Television Centre closes in Shepherd's Bush
    Services moved to broadcasting house London.
  • HD broadcasts begin for other BBC Channels

    HD broadcasts begin for other BBC Channels
    HD broadcasts begin for BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News, CBBC and CBeebies.
  • BBC axes BBC Three

    BBC axes BBC Three
    The BBC announce that BBC Three will become internet-only from Autumn 2015, in an effort to save £90m.
  • The CBBC Channel and CBeebies begin broadcasting

    The CBBC Channel and CBeebies begin broadcasting
    Freeview (digital terrestrial), digital cable and Sky Digital (digital satellite).