British Broadcasting Corporation

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{{epname|British Broadcasting Corporation}}
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'''The <!-- NOTE: "The" is part of the name; see Talk page - archive FIVE—> British Broadcasting Corporation''' ('''BBC''') is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world. Founded in 1922, it produces programs and information services, broadcasting on [[television]], [[radio]] and the [[Internet]]. The mission of the BBC is to inform, educate, and entertain. Its motto is ''Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation.'' Although its funding is primarily through government-set television license fees, the BBC operates independently, based on provision in its [[charter]] that it be free from both political and commercial influence. Motivated, at least in its early development, by quality not [[profit]], the BBC became the most respected source of news in the world, praised for its unbiased and balanced reporting. Increasing criticism, based in part on complaints that [[competition]] is difficult due to the BBC's income from license fees, and also claims of bias, have led the BBC to develop new methods of generating revenue, the use of digital and interactive media to provide new distribution modalities, as well as a renewed commitment to quality broadcasting. These advances assure the BBC of a significant role in the twenty-first century media arena, a position of great responsibility in an increasingly [[globalization|globalized]] society.
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==History==
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The original '''British Broadcasting Company''' was founded in 1922, by various private firms, to broadcast experimental [[radio]] services. Its first transmission was on November 14th of that year.
  
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The company, with [[John Reith]] as general manager, became the ''British Broadcasting Corporation'' in 1927 when it was granted a Royal [[Charter]] of incorporation and ceased to be privately owned. It started experimental television broadcasting in 1932, becoming a regular service (known as the BBC Television Service) in 1936. Domestic audiences have affectionately referred to the BBC as ''the Beeb,'' or as ''Auntie,'' the latter originating in the somewhat fuddy duddy ''Auntie knows best''<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/10_october/21/hull.shtml Press Release 2004] Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref> attitude dating back to the early days when [[John Reith, 1st Baron Reith|John Reith]] was in charge.
  
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'''The <!-- NOTE: "The" is part of the name; see Talk page - archive FIVE—> British Broadcasting Corporation''' ('''BBC''', also known as '''the Beeb''' or '''Auntie''') is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world, founded in 1922. It produces programmes and information services, broadcasting on [[television]], [[radio]], and the [[Internet]]. The mission of the BBC is to inform, educate and entertain, and the motto of the BBC is ''Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation.''
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Television broadcasting was suspended from September 1, 1939 to June 7, 1946 due to the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Competition to the BBC was introduced for the first time in 1955, with the commercially and independently operated ITV (Independent Television). The BBC introduced a second TV channel, (BBC 2), in 1964, renaming the existing channel BBC 1. BBC 2 was broadcast in color from July 1, 1967, and was joined by BBC 1 and ITV on November 15, 1969.
  
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Its domestic programming and broadcasts are primarily funded by levying [[television licence]] fees (Under the 1947 [[Wireless Telegraphy Act|Wireless & Telegraphy Act]]) upon separately owned or rented [[Premises]] with televisual equipment on the premises either capable of receiving the BBC TV signal or which is used to access BBC TV programmes online through their computer, although there is also money raised through commercial activities such as sale of merchandise and in order to justify the [[licence fee]] the BBC is expected to produce a number of high-rating shows in addition to programmes that commercial broadcasters would not normally broadcast.
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Since the [[deregulation]] of the UK television and radio market in the 1980s, the BBC 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.
  
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Quite often domestic audiences have affectionately referred to the BBC as ''the Beeb,'' or as ''Auntie''; the latter originating in the somewhat fuddy duddy [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/10_october/21/hull.shtml ''Auntie knows best''] attitude dating back to the early days when [[John Reith, 1st Baron Reith|John Reith]] was in charge.
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The BBC Research Department has played a major part in the development of broadcasting and recording techniques. In the early days it carried out essential research into [[acoustics]], program level measurement, and noise measurement and established standards that rapidly spread, particularly throughout the [[British Empire]]. In this respect it filled a role that is now lacking in many areas, since it was motivated by the desire for quality, not [[profit]].
  
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==History==
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==The Corporation==
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===Headquarters and Regional Offices===
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The original ''[[British Broadcasting Company]]'' was founded in [[1922]] by various private firms to broadcast experimental radio services. The first transmission was on [[14 November]] of that year.
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'''Broadcasting House''' is the headquarters of the BBC in London. Situated in Portland Place, it is normally home to BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and BBC 7.  
  
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The Company, with [[John Reith]] as general manager, became the ''British Broadcasting Corporation'' in [[1927]] when it was granted a [[Royal Charter]] of incorporation and ceased to be privately owned. It started experimental television broadcasting in [[1932]], becoming a regular service (known as the [[BBC Television Service]]) in [[1936]]. Television broadcasting was suspended from [[September 1]], [[1939]] to [[June 7]], [[1946]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]].
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Broadcasting House was officially opened on May 14, 1932. It is difficult to comprehend how miraculous and transformative [[radio]] was in the early twentieth century. The [[architecture]] of Broadcasting House reflects those intense early attitudes about radio, progress, and science.
  
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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 [[July 1]], [[1967]], and was joined by BBC 1 and ITV on [[November 15]], [[1969]].
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Walking up Regent Street in London, towards the bend where Regent Street joins Portland Place, directly ahead, the distinctive semi-circular portico and [[Gothic]] spire of All Souls Church, erected in 1824, appears. Around the bend, the distinctive semi-circular facade and stylized radio tower of Broadcasting House rise like a temple of progress above the busy street, echoing All Souls and declaring the start of a new enlightened age. At the front of the building are statues of Prospero and Ariel (from [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare's]] ''[[The Tempest]]''). Their choice was fitting since Prospero was a magician, and Ariel a spirit of the air, in which radio waves travel.  
  
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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.
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Broadcasting House was the home of the BBC Radio Theatre, where music and speech programs (typically comedy for BBC Radio 4) were recorded in front of a studio audience.
  
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The [[BBC Research Department]] has played a major part in the development of broadcasting and recording techniques. In the early days it carried out essential research into acoustics, programme level measurement, and noise measurement and established standards that rapidly spread, particularly throughout the [[British Empire]]. In this respect it filled a role that is now lacking in many areas, since it was motivated by the desire for quality, not profit.
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In 2005 and 2006 respectively, BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music moved their studios from Broadcasting House to newly built studios in the adjacent Western House. <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/about/westernhouse Western House - The New Studios]. ''BBC''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>
  
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As well as the various BBC buildings in London, there are major BBC production centers located in Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, and Newcastle upon Tyne. There are also many smaller local and regional studios scattered throughout the UK, some of which are known locally as "Broadcasting House" in imitation of the BBC's London headquarters.
  
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==The Corporation==
 
 
===Royal Charter===
 
===Royal Charter===
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The BBC is a [[Autonomy|quasi-autonomous]] [[Public company|Public Corporation]] operating as a [[Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom|public service broadcaster]] incorporated under a [[Royal Charter]] reviewed on a 10 yearly basis, currently run by a board of governors appointed by the [[government of the United Kingdom|government]] for a term of four years (formerly five years), though this is soon to be replaced with a [[BBC Trust]]. The BBC is required by its charter to be free from both political and commercial influence and answers only to its viewers and listeners.
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The BBC is a quasi-autonomous public [[corporation]] operating as a public service [[broadcasting|broadcaster]], incorporated under a royal [[charter]]. The charter is reviewed on a ten-yearly basis, by a board of governors appointed by the government. The BBC is required by its charter to be free from both political and commercial influence, and answers only to its viewers and listeners.  
  
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The BBC's [[Royal Charter]] is currently under review. Although the Charter is widely expected to be renewed in 2006, some proposals have suggested dramatic changes.
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On March 2, 2005 the Culture Secretary published a "green paper" setting out her proposals for the future of the BBC. The main points of this were:
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{{main|BBC review}}
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*Maintenance of the license fee system until at least 2016
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The BBC itself suggested radical changes in its "Building Public Value" proposals published in June [[2004]].
 
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On [[2 March]] [[2005]] the [[Culture Secretary]] [[Tessa Jowell]] published a [[green paper]] setting out her proposals for the future of the BBC. The main points of this were:
 
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*Maintenance of the licence fee system until at least 2016
 
 
*Abolition of the BBC Governors, to be replaced by a "BBC Trust"
 
*Abolition of the BBC Governors, to be replaced by a "BBC Trust"
 
*Increasing outsourcing of production (a process already started by Mark Thompson)
 
*Increasing outsourcing of production (a process already started by Mark Thompson)
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*Reduced emphasis on "ratings for ratings' sake" and copycat programmes (such as [[reality television]]).
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*Reduced emphasis on "ratings for ratings' sake" and copycat programs (such as reality television).
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In March [[2006]] the [[Culture Secretary]] published a [[white paper]] on the future of the BBC.
 
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=== Corporate Structure ===
 
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* Governance Unit
 
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* Programming Groups
 
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** [[BBC News|News]]
 
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** Drama Entertainment & [[CBBC]]
 
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** Factual & Learning
 
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** [[BBC Sport|Sport]]
 
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* Broadcasting Groups
 
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** [[BBC World Service|World Service]]
 
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** TV
 
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** New Media & Technology
 
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** Radio & Music
 
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** Nations & Regions
 
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* Professional Services
 
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** Strategy (formerly Strategy and Distribution and merged with Policy and Legal)
 
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** Marketing, Comms and Audiences
 
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** Finance Property & Business Affairs
 
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** BBC People (to 2004, Human Resources & Internal Communications)
 
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** BBC Training & Development
 
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* Commercial Groups
 
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** [[BBC Resources Ltd]]
 
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** [[BBC Worldwide Ltd]]
 
  
 
===Management===
 
===Management===
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The BBC is a nominally autonomous corporation, independent from direct government intervention. It is run by an appointed [[Board of Governors of the BBC|Board of Governors]]. General management of the organisation is in the hands of a [[Director-General of the BBC|Director-General]] appointed by the governors.
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The BBC is a nominally autonomous [[corporation]], independent from direct government intervention. It is run by an appointed Board of Governors. General management of the organization is in the hands of a Director-General, appointed by the governors.
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===Finance===
 
===Finance===
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The BBC has the largest budget of any UK broadcaster; its annual budget in 2005 was approximately £3.8 billion.  
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The BBC has the largest budget of any UK broadcaster; its annual budget is approximately £3.8 billion.  
 
  
 
====Revenue ====
 
====Revenue ====
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[[Image:BBC income 2004 in GBP Redvers.png|right|thumb|325px| BBC Income in 2004]]
  
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[[Image:BBC income 2004 in GBP Redvers.png|right|325px]]
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The principal means of funding the BBC is through television license fees. Such a license is required (Under the 1947 ''Wireless and Telegraphy Act'') to operate a broadcast [[television]] receiver within the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. The cost of a television license (as of 2006 costing around £11 a month) is set by the government and enforced by [[criminal law]], but the revenue is collected privately and does not pass through the state before reaching the BBC, and hence it is inaccurate to refer to the BBC as a "state" broadcaster.
  
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The principal means of funding the BBC is through the [[television licence]], [[as of 2006|currently]] costing around £11 a month if paid by [[direct debit]]. Such a licence is required to operate a broadcast [[television]] receiver within the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. The cost of a television licence is set by the government and enforced by the criminal law but the revenue is collected privately and does not pass through the state before reaching the BBC, and hence it is inaccurate to refer to the BBC as a "state" broadcaster.
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Income from commercial enterprises and from overseas sales of its catalogue of programs substantially increased at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
  
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Income from commercial enterprises and from overseas sales of its catalogue of programmes has substantially increased over recent years.
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According to its 2005 Annual Report<ref> BBC Annual Report 2005</ref>, the BBC's income can be broken down as follows:
  
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According to the BBC's 2005 Annual Report [http://www.bbcgovernors.co.uk/annreport/report05_keysections_dl.html#section6 ], its income can be broken down as follows:
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* £2,940.3m license fees collected from consumers.
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* £2,940.3m licence fees collected from consumers.
 
 
* £624.3m from BBC Commercial Businesses.
 
* £624.3m from BBC Commercial Businesses.
 
* £247.2m from the World Service, of which £225.1m is from grants (primarily funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), £16.7m from subscriptions, and £5.4m from other sources.
 
* £247.2m from the World Service, of which £225.1m is from grants (primarily funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), £16.7m from subscriptions, and £5.4m from other sources.
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====Expenditure====
 
====Expenditure====
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[[Image:BBC expenditure percentage Redvers.png|right|325px]]
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[[Image:BBC expenditure percentage Redvers.png|right|thumb|325px| BBC Expenditure percentages]]
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The BBC [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4309325.stm gives] the following figures for expenditure of licence fee income:
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The BBC<ref>BBC governors set to be scrapped, March 2, 2005, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4309325.stm BBC].''BBC News''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref> gives the following figures for expenditure of license fee income:
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*35% - BBC One
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*35 percent - BBC One
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*15% - BBC Two
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*15 percent - BBC Two
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*15% - local TV and radio
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*15 percent - local TV and radio
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*12% - network radio
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*12 percent - network radio
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*10% - digital (BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, CBBC, CBeebies)
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*10 percent - digital (BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, CBBC, CBeebies)
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*10% - transmission costs and licence fee collection
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*10 percent - transmission costs and license fee collection
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*3% - BBC Online, Ceefax, and Interactive Content (including [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ bbc.co.uk] and BBCi)
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*3 percent - BBC Online, Ceefax, and Interactive Content (including [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ bbc.co.uk] and BBCi)
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===Headquarters and Regional Offices===
 
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[[Image:BBC Broadcasting House 400.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Broadcasting House]]
 
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'''Broadcasting House''' is the headquarters of the [[BBC]] in [[London]]. Situated in [[Portland Place]], it is normally home to Radio [[BBC Radio 2|2]], [[BBC Radio 3|3]], [[BBC Radio 4|4]], [[BBC 6 Music|6 Music]] and [[BBC 7]]. Architect [[G Val Myer]] designed the building in collaboration with the BBC's civil engineer, M T Tudsbery. Broadcasting House was officially opened on [[May 14]] [[1932]] and is now Grade II* [[listed building|listed]].
 
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A modern mind can't fully comprehend how miraculous and transformative Radio was in the early 20th century.  The architecture of Broadcasting House reflects those intense early attitudes about Radio, Progress and Science.
 
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As you walk up Regent Street towards the bend where Regent Street joins Portland Place you see, directly ahead, the distinctive semi-circular portico and gothic spire of [[All Souls Church, Langham Place]], erected in 1824.  Continue around the bend and suddenly, beyond All Souls', the distinctive semi-circular facade and stylized radio tower of Broadcasting House rise like a temple of Progress above the busy street, echoing All Souls and declaring the start of a new enlightened age.
 
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At the front of the building are statues of [[Prospero]] and [[Ariel (Shakespeare)|Ariel]] (from [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Tempest (play)|The Tempest]]'') by [[Eric Gill]]. Their choice was fitting since Prospero was  a magician, and Ariel, a spirit of the air, in which radio waves travel. There was reportedly some controversy over some features of the statues when first built and they were said to have been subsequently modified. They were reported to have been sculpted by Gill as God and Man, rather than simply Prospero and Ariel, and that there is a small carved picture of a beautiful girl on the back part of Prospero's statue. Other sources claim that Gill intended them as God the Father and Son, as supported by the fact that the statue of Ariel has [[stigmata]]. Additional carvings of Ariel can be found on the building's exterior in many [[Bas-relief]]s. <ref>See [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/broadcasting_house.shtml] and [http://www.roger.beckwith.btinternet.co.uk/bh/bh32/bh32_es.htm]. This was also discussed on the BBC Radio 4 programme, The Archive Hour, 18 March 2006, entitled "The Home of Radio". [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archivehour/pip/agm6l/]</ref>
 
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Broadcasting House was the home of the BBC Radio Theatre, where music and speech programmes (typically comedy for [[BBC Radio 4]]) were recorded in front of a studio audience.
 
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Broadcasting House is currently undergoing renovation, scheduled for completion in [[2009]]/[[2010]]. As part of a major reorganisation of BBC property, Broadcasting House is to become home to [[BBC News]] (both television and radio), national radio, and the [[BBC World Service]]. The major part of this plan involves the demolition of the two post-war extensions to the building and construction of a new building, to be equal in "architectural creativity", beside the existing structure. The design of the new extension is by London practice [[MacCormac Jamieson Prichard]]. While the rebuilding process is being undertaken many of the BBC Radio networks have been relocated to other buildings in the vicinity of Portland Place. Completion of the project will see BBC News relocating from the News Centre at [[BBC Television Centre]] to the new building.
 
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[[BBC Radio 2]] and [[BBC 6 Music]] in 2005 and 2006 have moved their studios from Broadcasting House to newly built studios in the adjacent Western House. <ref>See BBC Radio 2 website article [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/about/westernhouse]</ref>
 
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Queen Elizabeth II visted Broadcasting House on 20th April 2006 as part of her Birthday celebrations and to officially open the redeveloped Broadcasting House
 
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Broadcasting House in [[Portland Place]], [[Central London|London]] is the official headquarters of the BBC. It is home to the national radio networks Radio [[BBC Radio 2|2]], [[BBC Radio 3|3]], [[BBC Radio 4|4]], [[BBC 6 Music|6 Music]], and [[BBC 7]]. On the front of the building are statues of [[Prospero]] and [[Ariel (Shakespeare)|Ariel]] (from [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare's]] ''[[The Tempest (play)|The Tempest]]''), by [[Eric Gill]].
 
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Broadcasting House is currently undergoing renovation, scheduled for completion in [[2010]]. As part of a major reorganisation of BBC property, Broadcasting House is to become home to [[BBC News]] (both television and radio), national radio, and the [[BBC World Service]]. The major part of this plan involves the demolition of the two post-war extensions to the building and construction of a new building, to be of equal "architectural creativity", beside the existing structure. While the rebuilding process is being undertaken many of the BBC Radio networks have been relocated to other buildings in the vicinity of Portland Place.
 
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In 2007/2008 BBC News is expected to relocate from the News Centre at [[BBC Television Centre]] to the refurbished Broadcasting House in what is being described as "one of the world's largest live newsrooms".
 
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By far the largest concentration of BBC staff in the UK exists in [[White City, London|White City]]. Well known buildings in this area include TVC (internal [[acronym]] for [[BBC Television Centre]]), White City, Media Centre, Broadcast Centre and Centre House.
 
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As well as the various BBC buildings in London, there are major BBC production centres located in [[Cardiff]], [[Belfast]], [[Glasgow]], [[Birmingham]], [[Manchester]], [[Bristol]], [[Southampton]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. There are also many smaller local and regional studios scattered throughout the UK, some of which are known locally as "Broadcasting House" in imitation of the BBC's London headquarters.
 
  
 
==BBC Services==
 
==BBC Services==
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Among the BBC's many services are domestic radio and television stations. Its wholly owned commercial subsidiaries jointly operate a number of other [[broadcasting]] services, namely the UKTV channels, some of the ''Discovery'' channels, and several other services available on satellite and cable service in the UK.
  
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Among its many services are domestic radio and television stations. Its wholly owned commercial subsidiaries jointly operates a number of other broadcasting services, namely the UKTV channels, some of the Discovery channels, and several other services available on satellite & cable services in the UK.
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The BBC also has many non-broadcasting ventures within the United Kingdom, including book and [[magazine]] publishing (BBC Books), and multimedia production services (DVDs, CDs, computer games) provided by BBC Multimedia. These are predominantly owned and operated by BBC Worldwide Ltd, [[profit]]s from which are fed back into the corporation to subsidize program making.
  
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It also has many non-broadcasting ventures within the United Kingdom including book & magazine publishing ([[BBC Books]]), and multimedia production services (DVDs, CDs, computer games) provided by [[BBC Multimedia]]. These are predominantly owned and operated by [[BBC Worldwide Ltd]] and profits from which are fed back into the corporation to subsidise programme making.
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The BBC has both satellite and cable broadcasting joint ventures serving the [[United States]], [[Canada]], and other countries. In addition, the BBC operates world broadcasting services (especially radio) in cooperation with, and some funded by, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 2005, the BBC announced that it would substantially reduce its radio broadcasting in [[Eastern Europe]]an languages and divert resources instead to a new [[Arabic language]] satellite TV broadcasting station (including radio and online content) in the [[Middle East]], to be launched in 2007 <ref>[http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060315-071402-4650r ''Middle East Times'' March 15, 2006]</ref>. Also run jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is BBC Monitoring, which monitors radio, television, the press, and the Internet worldwide.
  
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The BBC has both satellite and cable broadcasting joint-ventures serving the [[United States]], [[Canada]], and other countries. In addition the BBC operates world broadcasting services (especially radio) in cooperation with, and some funded by, the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]. In 2005, the BBC announced that it would substantially reduce its radio broadcasting in [[Eastern Europe|Eastern European]] languages and divert resources instead to a new [[Arabic language]] satellite TV broadcasting station (including radio and online content) in the [[Middle East]] to be launched in 2007[http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060315-071402-4650r]. Also run jointly with the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] is [[BBC Monitoring]], which monitors radio, television, the press and the internet worldwide.
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Before the introduction of ITV in 1955, and subsequently Independent Radio in 1973, the BBC held a [[monopoly]] on broadcasting. More recent deregulation of the British television broadcasting market produced analogue [[cable television]] and [[Satellite television|satellite broadcasting]] and later digital satellite, [[digital cable]] and [[digital terrestrial television]] (DTT). Today the BBC broadcasts in almost all media and operates an [[Internet]] service, [[http://www.bbc.co.uk bbb.co.uk]].
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Before the introduction of [[ITV|Independent Television]] in [[1955]] and subsequently [[Independent Radio]] in [[1973]], it held a monopoly on broadcasting. More recent deregulation of the [[British television broadcasting]] market produced analogue [[cable television]] and [[Satellite television|satellite broadcasting]] and later digital satellite, [[digital cable]] and [[digital terrestrial television]] (DTT). Today the BBC broadcasts in almost all media and operates an [[Internet]] service, [[bbc.co.uk]].
 
  
 
===BBC News===
 
===BBC News===
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BBC News claims to be the largest broadcast news gathering operation in the world, providing services to BBC domestic radio as well as television networks such as BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, and BBC World, as well as BBCi, Ceefax, and BBC News Online. New BBC News services that are also proving popular are mobile services to mobile phones and PDAs. Desktop news alerts, e-mail alerts, and digital TV alerts are also available.
  
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BBC News claims to be the largest broadcast news gathering operation in the world, providing services to BBC domestic radio as well as television networks such as [[BBC News 24]], [[BBC Parliament]] and [[BBC World]], as well as [[BBCi]], [[Ceefax]] and [[BBC News Online]]. New BBC News services that are also proving popular are mobile services to mobile phones and PDAs. Desktop news alerts, e-mail alerts, and digital TV alerts are also available.
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'''BBC News and Current Affairs''' is a major arm of the BBC, responsible for the corporation's news gathering and production of news programs on BBC television, radio, and online. It is the largest news broadcaster in the world and produces almost 100 hours of output daily. The News department consists of 3,500 staff of which 2,000 are journalists. The annual budget of BBC News is £350 million.
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'''BBC News and Current Affairs''' is a major arm of the [[BBC]] responsible for the corporation's newsgathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. It is the largest news broadcaster in the world and produces almost 100 hours of output daily. The current director is [[Helen Boaden]].
 
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BBC News carries out a key objective of the BBC's [[Royal Charter]]: to "collect news and information in any part of the world and in any manner that may be thought fit".
 
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BBC News is based at the News Centre at [[Television Centre]] (TVC), Wood Lane, [[London postal district|W12]] and operates regional centres across the [[United Kingdom]] as well as 44 newsgathering bureaux around the world. Of these bureaux, 41 are based overseas. Political coverage is based at the [[Millbank|Millbank Studios]] in [[Westminster]].<!--The News Centre brought radio and TV news operations together for the first time in BBC history.—> Due to the non-central location of TVC, however, in [[2008]] the News Centre is due to move to [[BBC Radio]]'s headquarters, [[BBC Broadcasting House]] at Portland Place in [[Central London]]. The News department consists of 3,500 staff of which 2,000 are journalists. The annual budget of BBC News is £350 million.
 
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Within the [[United Kingdom]], BBC News faces competition from [[Sky News]] and [[ITN]]. It is important to note however that the ITN News Channel (also known as the ITV News Channel) has now ceased broadcasting in the UK.  In 2005, it was announced that the [[BBC Six O'Clock News|Six O'Clock News]] was the most popular daily news programme, whilst the corporation's 24 hour rolling news channel, [[BBC News 24]], was the most popular 24 hour news channel in [[Britain]] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_4000000/newsid_4001900/4001991.stm].
 
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==== History ====
 
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The British Broadcasting Company broadcast its first radio bulletin on [[November 14]] [[1922]]. On [[July 5]] [[1954]], the first television news bulletin was broadcast. The BBC celebrated 50 years of Television News on [[July 5]] [[2004]]. The [[BBC One|BBC television service]] originally carried news in the form of images with a newsreader narrating but off camera, having decided that a newsreader on screen would distract viewers from the stories. [[Newsreels]] had been in use for some time, shown at cinemas and other places of public gathering. These were adapted as ''[[Television Newsreel]]'' programmes.
 
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During the mid/late 1970s, the afternoon news was broadcast from the BBC News Room itself. The newsreader sat on the edge of a desk reading the news to the camera, while behind him the news staff would seen at their desks busily working.
 
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Several variations in how the main news programmes were named and shown occurred with programmes such as ''[[Nationwide (TV series)|Nationwide]]'' coming and going. A major relaunch of BBC television news output on Tuesday, April 13th [[1993]] included abolition of variation in sets and titles in favour of a single set with a common theme. The times of the main bulletins &mdash;one o'clock, six o'clock and nine o'clock, were, however unchanged, and the music, whilst consistent in style, was based on the previous theme adopted by each programme. The new set was a small one which took advantage of [[Silicon Graphics]] systems to create a virtual studio which appeared to be huge. The titles commenced with the BBC News logo imposed on a spinning globe, widening to reveal a glass sculpture of the [[BBC coat of arms]] (again computer generated) in front of a panoramic view of the studio. The colour of the sets varied, getting progressively darker throughout the day. Likewise the style of the theme changed, from a bright and driving theme for ''[[Breakfast News]]'' to an authoritative and more sombre version for the ''Nine O'Clock News''. In [[1997]] the programme titles were altered slightly to incorporate the new corporate logo.
 
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On Monday, May 10th [[1999]] the biggest relaunch occurred, with BBC One bulletins, BBC World and BBC News 24 adopting a common style. Most significantly BBC regional news programmes adopted the new corporate image for the first time, giving a common style across local, national and international BBC television news. It also caused changes to regional news. Regional stories were incorporated into the six o'clock news headlines. The English regions lost some time, however, as these regions now rejoined London for a national round-up at 6.55. Over the next few years the regional news programmes began adopting a unified look in line with the national news. Regional headlines were also added to the one o'clock news, and the main evening news, when it moved from nine o'clock to ten o'clock.
 
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−
 
 
−
On Monday, January 20th 2003, another relaunch saw the 1pm, 6pm and 10pm come from a smaller, square studio. This time, the backdrop was not a real newsroom, and consisted of many faint, made-up objects. The titles, however, remained the same. That was until Monday, February 16th 2004, when they were changed to look like the one used for BBC News 24, introduced two months previous.
 
  
−
A new look was launched on Tuesday, May 2nd 2006, with slightly different opening graphics and a lighter studio featuring a back-drop of the London skyline. The studio was markedly larger than the previous one, with large projector cubes dominating the walls. This is in-line with similar changes ITV news made in 2005. Now Breakfast, 1 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock news is broadcasted from the same set, the difference is the background visual display. For breakfast, it was originally a display of cirrus clouds against a blue sky, but viewers complained that it looked too cold for the time of day, and it was changed to a set of orange squares a month later. The 1,6 and 10 o'clock bulletins have a view of central London, which gets darker once the sun has set. The weekend/bank holiday bulletins also have a dark background if the bulletin is after dusk.
+
BBC News carries out a key objective of the BBC's Royal [[Charter]]: to "collect news and information in any part of the world and in any manner that may be thought fit."
  
 +
BBC News is based at Television Centre (TVC), on Wood Lane in London, and operates regional centers across the [[United Kingdom]] as well as 44 newsgathering bureaus around the world. Of these bureaus, 41 are based overseas. Political coverage is based at the Millbank Studios in Westminster. Due to the non-central location of TVC, however, in 2008 the News Centre is due to move to BBC Radio's headquarters, BBC Broadcasting House at Portland Place in Central London.
  
−
In 2008 all BBC News, national radio and BBC World Service broadcasts will be moved to [[Broadcasting House]] in central London. The building is planned to have the largest live newsroom in the world. But due to delays may not open till late 2010.
+
Within the [[United Kingdom]], BBC News faces competition from Sky News and ITN (Independent Television News). It is important to note however, that the ITN News Channel (also known as the ITV News Channel) ceased broadcasting in the UK. In 2005, it was announced that the ''BBC Six O'Clock News'' was the most popular daily news program, whilst the corporation's 24 hour rolling news channel, BBC News 24, was the most popular 24 hour news channel in Britain <ref>Peter Horrocks, "Television News," October 6, 2005
 +
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_4000000/newsid_4001900/4001991.stm] ''Newswatch''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>.
  
−
In June 2006, it was announced that the BBC News website and News 24 presenation will be matched to the BBC1 news output. It is also planned to drop the name News 24 in favour of BBC News.
+
The BBC is one of the most respected news broadcasters, garnering respect in the UK and around the world. It has won praise for its unbiased and balanced reporting. Research has shown that for coverage of major events, such as the [[Iraq war]] and [[September 11 attacks]], viewers turned to the BBC. It is, however, not free from controversies and criticisms from some commentators.
  
 +
====Political and commercial independence====
 +
The BBC is required by its [[charter]] to be free from both political and commercial influence, and to answer only to its viewers and listeners. Nevertheless, the BBC's political objectivity is sometimes questioned. For instance, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' (Aug 3, 2005) carried a letter from the Soviet [[KGB]] defector [[Oleg Gordievsky]], referring to it as "The Red Service." Books have been written on the subject, although rarely from people writing neutrally themselves, including anti-BBC works like ''Truth Betrayed'' by W. J. West and ''The Truth Twisters'' by Richard Deacon.
  
 +
The BBC is regularly accused by the government of the day of bias in favor of the opposition and, by the opposition, of bias in favor of the government. Similarly, during times of [[war]], the BBC is often accused by the UK government, or by strong supporters of British military campaigns, of being overly sympathetic to the view of the enemy. This gave rise in 1991, during the first [[Gulf War]], to the satirical name "Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation." Conversely, some of those who style themselves anti-establishment in the United Kingdom, or who oppose foreign wars have accused the BBC of pro-establishment bias or of refusing to give an outlet to "anti-war" voices. Some have argued that a current of anti-BBC thinking exists in many parts of the political spectrum and that, since the BBC's theoretical<ref> impartiality ''BBC''.</ref>means they will broadcast many views and opinions, people will see the bias they wish to see. This argument is buttressed by the fact that the BBC is frequently accused of bias by all opinions in a dispute.
  
−
====Opinions of BBC News====
+
====Controversies and criticisms====
−
The BBC is one of the most respected news broadcasters in the world and garners respect in the UK and around the world.  It has won praise for its unbiased and balanced reporting.  Research has shown that for coverage of major events, such as the [[Iraq war]] and [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11th attacks]], viewers turn to the BBC.  It is, however, not free from controversies and criticsm from some commentators.
 
  
−
 
+
Examples of controversies and criticisms over BBC News reporting include coverage of the [[BBC#Iraq War|Iraq War]] and the [[BBC#Israeli-Palestinian Conflict|Israeli-Palestinian Conflict]], as well as criticism over their [[BBC#Use of the English Language|use of the English language]] and the [[BBC#The View of Foreign Governments|views of foreign governments]].
−
 
 
−
=====Political and commercial independence=====
 
−
The BBC is required by its charter to be free from both political and commercial influence and answers only to its viewers and listeners. Nevertheless, the BBC's political objectivity is sometimes questioned. For instance, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' (3 Aug 2005) carried a letter from the [[KGB]] defector [[Oleg Gordievsky]], referring to it as "The Red Service". Books have been written on the subject, although rarely from people writing neutrally themselves, including anti-BBC works like ''Truth Betrayed'' by W J West and ''The Truth Twisters'' by Richard Deacon.
 
−
 
 
−
The BBC is regularly accused by the government of the day of bias in favour of the opposition and, by the opposition, of bias in favour of the government. Similarly, during times of war, the BBC is often accused by the UK government, or by strong supporters of British military campaigns, of being overly sympathetic to the view of the enemy. This gave rise, in 1991 during the first [[Gulf War]], to the satirical name "Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation". Conversely, some of those who style themselves anti-establishment in the United Kingdom or who oppose foreign wars have accused the BBC of pro-establishment bias or of refusing to give an outlet to "anti-war" voices. Some have argued that a current of anti-BBC thinking exists in many parts of the political spectrum and that, since the BBC's theoretical [http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/edguide/editorialvalues/impartialitydiv.shtml impartiality] means they will broadcast many views and opinions, people will see the bias they wish to see. This argument is buttressed by the fact that the BBC is frequently accused of bias by all opinions in a dispute.
 
−
 
 
−
Prominent BBC appointments are constantly assessed by the British media and political establishment for signs of political bias. The appointment of [[Greg Dyke]] as Director-General was highlighted by press sources because Dyke was a Labour Party member and former activist, as well as a friend of [[Tony Blair]]. The BBC's current Political Editor, [[Nick Robinson]], was some years ago a chairman of the [[Young Conservatives]] and has, as a result, attracted informal criticism from the current Labour government, but his predecessor [[Andrew Marr]] faced similar claims from the right because he was editor of the liberal leaning [[The Independent|Independent]] newspaper before his own appointment in 2000.
 
−
 
 
−
Despite these criticisms, many still regard the BBC as a trusted and politically neutral news source across the globe, and in some areas the BBC World Service radio is the only available free media.
 
  
 
=====Iraq War=====
 
=====Iraq War=====
 +
During the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] the BBC was accused of pro-Iraq War bias. There were anti-war protests outside its offices.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/2003/03/60665.html Manchester Demo March 29th]. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref> A Cardiff University report found that the BBC "displayed the most 'pro-war' agenda of any broadcaster." Over the three weeks of the initial conflict, 11 percent of the sources quoted by the BBC were of coalition government or military origin, the highest proportion of all the main television broadcasters. The BBC was less likely than Sky, ITV, or Channel 4 News to use independent sources, which also tended to be the most skeptical. The BBC also placed least emphasis on Iraqi casualties. <ref>Was the BBC really biased against the war? October 9, 2003, [http://www.caerdydd.ac.uk/news/articles/biased-against-the-war.html]  ''Cardiff''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/media/story/0,12123,991227,00.html Study deals a blow to claims of anti-war bias in BBC news].''guardian.uk''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>
  
−
During the invasion of Iraq the BBC was accused of pro-Iraq War bias. There were anti-war protests outside its offices.[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/2003/03/60665.html] 
+
Three BBC News reports (Andrew Gilligan's on ''Today,'' Gavin Hewitt's on ''The Ten O'Clock News'' and another on ''Newsnight'') quoted an anonymous source that stated the British government (particularly the Prime Minister's office) had embellished the "September Dossier" with misleading exaggerations of [[Iraq]]'s [[weapons of mass destruction]] capabilities. The government angrily denounced the reports and accused the corporation of poor [[journalism]]. Subsequent weeks saw the apparent [[suicide]] of the BBC's source, David Kelly, and resignation of BBC Chairman, Gavyn Davies.
−
 
−
A Cardiff University report found that the BBC "displayed the most 'pro-war' agenda of any broadcaster".  
 
−
   
 
−
Over the three weeks of the initial conflict, 11% of the sources quoted by the BBC were of coalition government or military origin, the highest proportion of all the main television broadcasters. The BBC was less likely than Sky, ITV or Channel 4 News to use independent sources, who also tended to be the most sceptical. The BBC also placed least emphasis on Iraqi casualties. [http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/newsevents/5309.html] [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/media/story/0,12123,991227,00.html] 
 
  
−
Andrew Bergin, the press officer for the Stop The War Coalition, told Media Lens: "Representatives of the coalition have been invited to appear on every TV channel except the BBC. The BBC have taken a conscious decision to actively exclude Stop the War Coalition people from their programmes, even though everyone knows we are central to organising the massive anti-war movement...". [http://www.medialens.org/alerts/04/041130_Protest_BBC_1.HTM]  
+
=====Israeli-Palestinian conflict=====
 +
In 2006, an independent inquiry set up to "assess the impartiality of BBC news and current affairs coverage of the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]] with particular regard to accuracy, fairness, context, balance and bias"<ref> Impartiality Review Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.''BBC governors''.</ref> has determined that there is no systematic bias, but that coverage sometimes gives an incomplete picture which may mislead viewers and affect their understanding of the situation.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4964702.stm BBC 'must improve Mid-East view']''BBC News''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>, <ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1766215,00.html BBC's coverage of Israeli-Palestinian conflict 'misleading'].''Guardian''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>. The commission's report suggested that the BBC's news reporting was not sufficiently covering the suffering of [[Palestine|Palestinian]] civilians, and was too focused on the [[Israel]]i perspective of events.
  
−
=====Hutton Inquiry=====
+
Previously, the BBC's news coverage has been accused of "systematic anti-Israel bias" <ref> BBC Newsnight's Insidious Accusations''honestreporting''.</ref>,<ref>[http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2304932005 Reporter's tears for Arafat were 'biased'].''thescotsman''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>. The majority of such accusations come from [[Zionism|Zionist]] or pro-Israeli groups.
  
 +
===== Use of the English language =====
 +
A particular criticism made of BBC News since the bombings in London on July 7, 2005 is its perceived reluctance to use the word "terrorist" in reporting. For example, Palestinians who bomb civilians in Israel are often referred to as "militants." Alternatively, those responsible for the attacks in London were called "suicide bombers" in some reports. In its defense the BBC says that the word "terrorist" is not banned, but it prefers to use "more precise wording."<ref>"Editorial Guidelines in Full" more precise wording.''BBC''.</ref>
  
−
BBC News was at the centre of one the largest political controversies in recent years. Three BBC News reports ([[Andrew Gilligan]]'s on ''[[Today programme|Today]]'', Gavin Hewitt's on ''The Ten O'Clock News'' and another on ''[[Newsnight]]'') quoted an anonymous source that stated the British government (particularly the Prime Minister's office) had embellished the [[September Dossier]] with misleading exaggerations of Iraq's [[weapons of mass destruction]] capabilities.
+
===== View of foreign governments=====
−
 
 
−
The Government angrily denounced the reports and accused the corporation of poor journalism. In subsequent weeks the corporation stood by the report, saying that it had a reliable source. Following intense media speculation, [[David Kelly]] was finally named in the press as the source for Gilligan's story on [[9 July]] [[2003]]. Kelly was found dead, apparently by suicide, in a field close to his home early on [[18 July]]. An inquiry led by [[Brian Hutton, Baron Hutton|Lord Hutton]] was announced by the British government the following day to investigate the circumstances leading to Kelly's death, concluding that "Dr. Kelly took his own life."
 
−
 
 
−
In his report on [[January 28]] [[2004]], Lord Hutton concluded that Gilligan's original accusation was "unfounded" and the BBC's editorial and management processes were "defective". In particular, it specifically criticised the chain of management that caused the BBC to defend its story. The BBC Director of News, [[Richard Sambrook]], the report said, had accepted Gilligan's word that his story was accurate rather than checking Gilligan's records more thoroughly.
 
−
 
 
−
Davies had then told the BBC Board of Governors that he was happy with the story and told the Prime Minister that a satisfactory internal inquiry had taken place. The Board of Governors, under BBC Chairman [[Gavyn Davies]]' guidance, accepted that further investigation of the Government's complaints were unnecessary.
 
−
 
 
−
Due to the level of criticism of the corporation in the Hutton report, Davies resigned on the day of publication. BBC News faced an important test, reporting on itself with the publication of the report, but by common consent managed this both independently and impartially. Davies was followed by [[Director-General of the BBC|Director General]] Greg Dyke the following day and Gilligan on [[January 30]]. While doubtless a traumatic experience for the corporation, an ICM poll in April 2003 indicated that it had sustained its position as the best and most trusted provider of news.
 
−
 
 
−
=====Israeli-Palestinian Conflict=====
 
−
In 2006, an independent inquiry set up to "assess the impartiality of BBC news and current affairs coverage of the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]] with particular regard to accuracy, fairness, context, balance and bias"[http://www.bbcgovernors.co.uk/docs/rev_israelipalestinian.html] has determined that there is no systematic bias, but that coverage sometimes gives an incomplete picture which may mislead viewers and affect their understanding of the situation see the [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4964702.stm], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1766215,00.html]. The commission's report suggested that the BBC's news reporting was not sufficiently covering the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and was too focussed on the Israeli perspective of events.
 
−
 
 
−
Previously, the BBC's news coverage has been accused of 'systematic anti-[[Israel]] bias' [http://www.honestreporting.co.uk/articles/critiques/BBC_Newsnights_Insidious_Accusations.asp] [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2304932005]. The majority of such accusations come from Zionist or pro-Israeli groups. For instance, honestreporting.co.uk, a leading critic of the BBC is funded by the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah[http://www.honestreporting.co.uk/history.asp]. Similarly, Anglicans for Israel have berated the BBC for apparent anti-Israel bias[http://www.anglicansforisrael.com/docs/2006/05/24/afi-acts-against-bbc-bias/].
 
−
 
 
−
===== Anti-Americanism =====
 
−
In recent years, some on the right in the US, particularly those close to the Bush Administration, have accused BBC News of having an anti-American bias.  In January 2004 after the publication of the [[Hutton Report]], [[John Gibson]], a presenter of [[Fox News]] accused the BBC of having "a frothing-at-the-mouth anti-Americanism that was obsessive, irrational and dishonest". He also claimed that reporter [[Andrew Gilligan]], who was covering the [[2003 Iraq War]] for [[BBC Radio 4]] in [[Baghdad]] had "insisted on air that the Iraqi Army was heroically repulsing an incompetent American Military":[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,109821,00.html].  Gibson's criticisms were roundly rejected by the UK media regulator [[Ofcom]], which  following viewer complaints, strongly reprimanded Fox News for broadcasting the comments [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/pcb_11/upheld_cases].  Ofcom found Fox News in breach of Sections 2.1 (respect for truth), 2.7 (opportunity to take part), and 3.5(b) (personal view programmes - opinions expressed must not rest upon false evidence) of the Programme Code."''.
 
−
 
 
−
===== Use of the English language =====
 
−
Another criticism made of BBC News since the bombings in London on [[7 July]] [[2005]] is its perceived reluctance to use the word "terrorist" in reporting.  For example, Palestinians who bomb civilians in Israel are often referred to as "militants". Alternatively, those responsible for the attacks in London were called "suicide bombers" in some reports.  In its defence the BBC says that the word "terrorist" is not banned, but it prefers to use [http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/edguide/war/mandatoryreferr.shtml more precise wording].  That is, using the word "suicide bombers" to describe those who carried out the London bombings is more precise than just labelling them with the generic term "terrorists".  The implication is that a terrorist can take many forms and most people know that (in the context of the London bombings) a suicide bomber is a type of terrorist.  The BBC is not alone in discouraging the use of the word "terrorist".  [[The Guardian]]'s style guide [http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2004/07/15/styleguidepdfjuly2004.pdf] also discourages the use of the word.  It notes that extreme care should be taken over the use of the word terrorist, and adds that the paper should not be seen as taking sides because of the language that it uses.
 
  
−
===== The View of Foreign Governments=====
+
Some on the right in the [[United States|U.S.]], particularly those close to the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration, have accused BBC News of having an anti-American bias.  
−
BBC News reporters and broadcasts are now and have in the past been banned in several countries primarily for reporting which has been unfavourable to the ruling government. For example, it correspondents were banned by the former [[apartheid]] régime of [[South Africa]].
 
  
−
The BBC is currently banned in [[Zimbabwe]], whose government has proscribed it as a terrorist organisation [http://www.afrol.com/News2002/zim040_joytv_bbc.htm].
+
BBC News reporters and broadcasts have recently, and have been in the past, been banned in several countries primarily for reporting which has been unfavorable to the ruling government. For example, its correspondents were banned by the former [[apartheid]] régime of [[South Africa]].  
  
−
Other current examples include [[Uzbekistan]][http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4407086.stm], [[China]]  
+
The BBC has been banned by the administration of Robert Mugabe in [[Zimbabwe]], whose government first sought to censor its broadcast, and later proscribed it as 'a terrorist organization' <ref>[http://www.afrol.com/News2002/zim040_joytv_bbc.htm Broadcasting of BBC in Zimbabwe stopped]. ''afrol''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>. Other examples include [[China]]  
−
[http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=21745], [[Sri Lanka]] [http://www.tamilcanadian.com/eelam/hrights/html/article/SU001021131957N200.html] and [[Pakistan]][http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4437494.stm].
+
<ref> CHINA: Censor blocks sensitive issues in BBC series.''asiamedia''.</ref>, [[Sri Lanka]] <ref>Sri Lanka 'drops war censorship' October 31, 2007,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7071099.stm].''BBC News''.Retrieved July 9, 2008. </ref> and [[Pakistan]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4437494.stm BBC Urdu taken off Pakistan radio] ''BBC News''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>.
  
 
===Radio===
 
===Radio===
 +
The BBC has five major national stations, BBC Radio 1 ("the best in new music"), BBC Radio 2 (the UK's most listened to radio station, with 13.7 million weekly listeners), BBC Radio 3 (specialist-interest music such as classical, world, arts, drama, and jazz), BBC Radio 4 (current affairs, drama and comedy), and BBC Radio 5 Live, and Radio 5 Live SportXL (24 hour news, sports and talk).
  
−
The BBC has five major national stations, [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] ("the best in new music"), [[BBC Radio 2|Radio 2]] (the UK's most listened to radio station, with 13.7 million weekly listeners), [[BBC Radio 3|Radio 3]] (specialist-interest music such as classical, world, arts, drama and jazz), [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]] (current affairs, drama and comedy), and [[BBC Radio 5 Live|Radio 5 Live]] and Radio 5 Live SportXL (24 hour news, sports and talk).
+
There is also a network of local stations (for example BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Jersey and BBC London) with a mixture of talk, news, and music in [[England]] and the [[Channel Islands]] as well as national stations of BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio ''Cymru'' (in [[Welsh language|Welsh]]), BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio ''nan Gaidheal'' (in [[Scots Gaelic]]), BBC Radio Ulster, and BBC Radio Foyle.
  
−
There is also a network of local stations (for example [[BBC Hereford and Worcester]], [[BBC Radio Jersey]] and [[BBC London]]) with a mixture of talk, news and music in [[England]] and the [[Channel Islands]] as well as national stations of [[BBC Radio Wales]], [[BBC Radio Cymru]] (in [[Welsh language|Welsh]]), [[BBC Radio Scotland]], [[BBC Radio nan Gaidheal]] (in [[Scots Gaelic]]), [[BBC Radio Ulster]], and [[BBC Radio Foyle]].
+
The BBC has been at the forefront of digital radio broadcasting with BBC Five Live Sports Extra (a companion to Five Live for additional events coverage), BBC 1Xtra (for black, urban, and gospel music), BBC 6 Music (alternative genres of music), BBC 7 (comedy, drama, and kids shows), BBC Asian Network (Asian talk, music, and news in many Asian languages), and BBC World Service.
  
−
The BBC has been at the forefront of digital radio broadcasting with [[BBC Five Live Sports Extra|Five Live Sports Extra]] (a companion to Five Live for additional events coverage), [[BBC 1Xtra|1Xtra]] (for black, urban and gospel music), [[BBC 6 Music]] (''alternative'' genres of music), [[BBC7]] (Comedy, Drama & Kids shows), [[BBC Asian Network|Asian Network]] (Asian talk, music and news in many Asian languages), and [[BBC World Service|World Service]].
+
For a worldwide audience, the BBC produces the Foreign Office funded BBC World Service, which is broadcast worldwide on [[shortwave]] radio, and on DAB Digital Radio in the UK. The World Service can be received in 139 capital cities worldwide and is a major source of news and information programming for over 140 million listeners worldwide. The Service currently broadcasts in 43 languages and dialects (including English), though not all languages are broadcast in all areas.<ref> Governors' Review of Services: BBC World Service & Global News.BBC governors''.</ref>
  
−
For a world-wide audience, the BBC produces the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|Foreign Office]] funded [[BBC World Service]], which is broadcast worldwide on [[shortwave]] radio, and on DAB Digital Radio in the UK. The World Service can be received in 139 capital cities worldwide and is a major source of news and information programming for over 140 million listeners worldwide. The Service currently broadcasts in 43 languages and dialects (including English), though not all languages are broadcast in all areas.[http://www.bbcgovernors.co.uk/annreport/world_ser_glob_news_review.pdf]
+
Since 1943, the BBC has also provided radio programming to the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which broadcasts in countries where British troops are stationed.
  
−
Since [[1943]], the BBC has also provided radio programming to the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]], which broadcasts in countries where British troops are stationed.
+
All of the national BBC radio stations, as well as the BBC World Service, are available over the [[Internet]] in streaming audio format, and podcasting.
−
 
 
−
All of the national BBC radio stations, as well as the BBC World Service, are available over the [[Internet]] in the [[RealAudio]] [[Streaming media|streaming]] format. The BBC has also recently experimented with the [[free software|free]], [[open source]] [[Vorbis|Ogg Vorbis]] streaming audio format and [[podcasting]].
 
  
 
===Television===
 
===Television===
−
[[Image:BBC Television Centre.JPG|right|thumb|BBC Television Centre in West [[London]].]]
+
[[Image:BBC Television Centre.JPG|right|thumb|300 px| BBC Television Centre in West London.]]
  
−
[[BBC One]] and [[BBC Two]] are the BBC's flagship television channels. The BBC is also promoting the new channels [[BBC Three]] and [[BBC Four]], which are only available via [[digital television]] equipment (now in widespread use in the UK, with analogue transmission expected to be phased out from [[2008]]). The BBC also runs [[BBC News 24]], [[BBC Parliament]], and two children's channels, [[CBBC Channel|CBBC]] and [[CBeebies]], also on digital.  
+
BBC One and BBC Two are the BBC's flagship television channels. BBC One is a regionalized TV service which provides opt-outs throughout the day for local news and other local programming. The BBC is also promoting the new channels BBC Three and BBC Four, which are only available via [[digital television]] equipment (already in widespread use in the UK, with analog transmission to be phased out from 2008). The BBC also runs BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, and two children's channels, CBBC and CBeebies, also on digital.  
  
−
BBC One is a regionalised TV service which provides opt-outs throughout the day for local news and other local programming. In the [[Republic of Ireland]] the [[BBC Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]] regionalised BBC One & BBC Two are available via analogue transmissions deflecting signals from the North and also carried out on [[Sky Digital (UK)|Sky Digital]], [[NTL Ireland]] and [[Chorus Communications|Chorus]]
+
Since 1975, the BBC has also provided its TV programs to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), allowing members of HM Forces serving all over the world to watch and listen to their favorite programs from home on two dedicated TV channels.
  
−
From [[June 9]], [[2006]] the BBC will begin a 6-12 month trial of [[High-definition television]] broadcasts under the name [[BBC HD]]. It has been producing programmes in the format for many years, and hopes to produce 100% of new programmes in HDTV by [[2010]].
+
Beginning in 2006, BBC HD began hi-definition (HDTV) broadcasts. It has been producing programs in the format for many years, planning to produce 100 percent of new programs in HDTV by 2010.
−
 
 
−
Since [[1975]], the BBC has also provided its TV programmes to the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]] (BFBS), allowing members of [[Military of the United Kingdom|HM Forces]] serving all over the world to watch and listen to their favourite programmes from home on two dedicated TV channels.
 
  
 
===Worldwide===
 
===Worldwide===
−
[[BBC Worldwide]] Limited is the wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC responsible for the commercial exploitation of BBC programmes and other properties, including a number of television stations throughout the world. The cable and satellite stations [[BBC Prime]] (in [[Europe]], [[Africa]] the [[Middle East]], and [[Asia]]), [[BBC America]], [[BBC Canada]] (alongside [[BBC Kids]], and [[BBC Japan]] broadcast popular BBC programmes to people outside the UK, as does [[UK.TV]] (co-run with [[Foxtel]] and Fremantle Media) in [[Australasia]]. BBC Worldwide also runs a 24-hour news channel, [[BBC World]] and co-runs, with [[Flextech]], the [[UKTV]] network of stations in the UK, producers of amongst others [[UKTV Gold]]. In addition, BBC television news appears nightly on many [[Public Broadcasting Service]] stations in the [[United States]], as do reruns of BBC programmes from Lionheart TV, and in In [[New Zealand]] on [[TVNZ|TV ONE]].
+
BBC Worldwide Limited is the wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC, responsible for the commercial use of BBC programs and other properties, including a number of television stations throughout the world. The cable and satellite stations BBC Prime (in [[Europe]], [[Africa]] the [[Middle East]], and [[Asia]]), BBC America, BBC Canada (alongside BBC Kids, and BBC Japan broadcast popular BBC programs to people outside the UK, as does UK.TV in [[Australasia]]. BBC Worldwide also runs a 24-hour news channel, BBC World and co-runs the UKTV network of stations in the UK, producers of amongst others UKTV Gold. In addition, BBC television news appears nightly on many [[Public Broadcasting Service]] stations in the United States.
  
−
Many BBC programmes (especially [[Documentary film|documentaries]]) are sold via BBC Worldwide to foreign television stations, and [[comedy]], [[documentary film|documentaries]] and [[Costume drama|historical drama]] productions are popular on the international DVD market.
+
Many BBC programs (especially documentaries) are sold via BBC Worldwide to foreign television stations, and comedy, documentaries, and historical drama productions are popular on the international DVD market.
  
−
BBC Worldwide also maintains the publishing arm of the BBC and it is the third-largest publisher of consumer magazines in the United Kingdom [http://www.bbcworldwide.com/aboutus/corpinfo/annualreps/review2001/Documents/Magazines.pdf]. BBC Magazines, formerly known as BBC Publications, publishes the ''[[Radio Times]]'' and a number of magazines that support BBC programming such as ''[[Top Gear|BBC Top Gear]]'', ''[[BBC Good Food]]'', ''[[The Sky at Night|BBC Sky at Night]]'', ''[[BBC History]]'', ''[[BBC Wildlife]]'' and ''[[BBC Music]]''. In addition, BBC Worldwide acquired the independent magazine publisher Origin Publishing in 2004.
+
BBC Worldwide also maintains the publishing arm of the BBC. BBC Magazines, formerly known as BBC Publications, publishes the ''Radio Times'' and a number of magazines that support BBC programming such as ''Top Gear,'' ''BBC Good Food,'' ''The Sky at Night,'' ''BBC History,'' ''BBC Wildlife'' and ''BBC Music.'' In addition, BBC Worldwide acquired the independent magazine publisher Origin Publishing in 2004.
  
 
===Internet===
 
===Internet===
 +
The [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ bbc.co.uk] website, formerly BBCi and before that BBC Online, includes a comprehensive, advertisement-free news website and archive. It is the UK's most-visited digital destination with over 3 million web pages. In January 2006, bbc.co.uk was the 11th most popular English Language website in the world.<ref>[http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?ts_mode=lang&lang=en Top English Language Sites].''alexa''. Retrieved July 9, 2008.</ref>
  
−
 
+
The website allows the BBC to produce sections which complement the various programs on television and radio. The site also allows users to listen to most BBC radio output live and for seven days after broadcast; some TV content is also distributed. A system is under development to deliver both radio and TV content for offline use for up to seven days.
−
The bbc.co.uk [http://www.bbc.co.uk/] [[website]], formerly BBCi and before that BBC Online, includes a comprehensive, advertisement free [[BBC News Online|news website]] and archive. It is the UK's most-visited digital destination with over 3 million web pages and that number is rising fast every day. According to [[Alexa Internet|Alexa's]] TrafficRank system, in January 2006 bbc.co.uk was the 11th most popular [[English Language]] website in the world. (References: [http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?ts_mode=global&lang=none Global Top 500 Sites] - [http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?ts_mode=lang&lang=en Top English Language Sites])
 
−
 
 
−
The website allows the BBC to produce sections which complement the various programmes on television and radio, and it is common for viewers and listeners to be told [[Uniform Resource Locator|website addresses]] for the bbc.co.uk sections relating to that programme. The site also allows users to listen to most Radio output live and for seven days after broadcast using its [[RealPlayer]]-based "Radio Player"; some TV content is also distributed in [[RealVideo]] format. A new system known as [[Interactive Media Player|iMP]] is currently under development, which uses [[peer-to-peer]] and [[Digital rights management|DRM]] technology to deliver both radio and TV content for offline use for up to 7 days.
 
−
 
 
−
An overview of the BBC Internet Services network is available here [http://support.bbc.co.uk/support/network].
 
−
 
 
−
In recent years some major on-line companies and politicians have complained that the bbc.co.uk website receives too much funding from the television licence, meaning that other websites are unable to compete with the vast amount of advertising-free on-line content available on bbc.co.uk. Some have proposed that the amount of licence fee money spent on bbc.co.uk should be reduced &mdash; either being replaced with funding from advertisements or subscriptions, or a reduction in the amount of content available on the site. In response to this the BBC carried out an investigation, and has now set in motion a plan to change the way it provides its online services. bbc.co.uk will now attempt to fill in gaps in the market, but will guide users to other websites for currently existing market provision. (For example, instead of providing local events information and timetables, users will be guided to outside websites already providing that information.)
 
−
Part of this plan included the BBC closing some of its websites, and rediverting money to redevelop other parts.
 
  
 
===Interactive===
 
===Interactive===
 +
BBCi is the brand name for the BBC's interactive [[digital television]] services. Unlike Ceefax, BBCi is able to display full-color graphics, photographs, and video, as well as educational programs. BBCi provides viewers with over 120 interactive TV programs every year, as well as the 24/7 service. It also has video weather and news.
  
 +
==The BBC in the Future==
 +
Despite criticisms from some in [[politics]] and [[business]], the BBC remains an important force in British and worldwide media. Continued expansion into other media from television to radio to the Internet is evidence of the BBC's vigor and commitment to promoting quality in broadcasting, as required in its [[charter]].
  
−
BBCi is the brand name for the BBC's [[Interactive television|interactive]] [[digital television]] services, which are available through [[Freeview]] (digital terrestrial), as well as [[Sky Digital (UK)|Sky Digital]] (satellite) and (cable) [[NTL]] and [[Telewest]]. Unlike [[Ceefax]], BBCi is able to display full-colour graphics, photographs, and video, as well as educational programs. Recent examples include the interactive sports coverage for [[football (soccer)|football]] and [[rugby football]] matches, [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415069/ BBC Soundbites] which starred young actress [[Jennifer Lynn]] and an interactive national IQ test. All of the BBC's digital television stations, (and radio stations on [[Freeview]]), allow access to the BBCi service.
+
==Notes==
−
 
+
<references/>
−
BBCi provides viewers with over 120 interactive TV programmes every year, as well as the 24/7 service. It also has video weather and news.
 
−
 
 
−
== Unions at the BBC ==
 
−
 
 
−
Union membership is a private matter between staff and their chosen union, staff are not automatically covered by a union, but since the BBC is a large employer (in the media sector), membership numbers are considerable.
 
−
 
 
−
Staff at the BBC are normally represented by [[BECTU]], along with journalistic staff by the [[NUJ]] and electrical staff by [[Amicus]]. Union membership is optional, and paid for by staff members and not by the BBC.
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
#Briggs, Asa. - '''''The BBC - The First Fifty Years''''' - Condensed version of the five-volume history by the same author. - Oxford University Press, 1985. ISBN 0-19-212971-6
 
−
#Coulton, Barbara. - '''''Louis MacNeice in the BBC''''' - Writer and producer from 1941 to 1961 in the Features Department of BBC radio. - Faber and Faber, 1980. ISBN 0-571-11537-3
 
−
#Gilder PhD., Eric. - '''''Mass Media Moments in the United Kingdom, the USSR and the USA'''''. - Historical background relating to the British Broadcasting Company, Ltd., its founding companies; their transatlantic connections; General Post Office licensing system; commercial competitors from Europe prior to World War II and offshore during the 1960s. - "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu Press, Romania. 2003. ISBN 973-651-596-6
 
−
#Milne, Alasdair. - '''''The memoirs of a British broadcaster''''' - History of the Zircon spy satellite affair, written by a former Director General of the BBC. A series of BBC radio programmes called "''The Secret Society''" led to a raid by police in both England and Scotland to seize documents as part of a government censorship campaign. - Coronet, 1989. - ISBN 0-34-049750-5
 
−
#Moran, Lord. - '''''Churchill at War 1940 to 1945 - The Memoirs of Churchill's Doctor''''', with an introduction by Lord Moran's son, John, the present Lord Moran. - This diary paints an intimate portrait of Churchill by Sir Charles Watson, his personal physician (Lord Moran), who spent the war years with the Prime Minister. In his diary, Moran recorded insights into Churchill's character, and moments when he let his guard down, including his views about the BBC being riddled with communists. - Carroll & Graf, 2002. Reissue ISBN 0-78-671041-1
 
−
#Parker, Derek. - David & Charles - '''''Radio: The Great Years''''' - History of BBC radio programmes from the beginning until the date of publication. 1977. ISBN 0-7153-7430-3
 
−
#Spangenberg, Jochen. - '''''The BBC in Transition. Reasons, Results and Consequences''''' - Encompassing account of the BBC and influencing external factors until 1996. - Deutscher Universitaetsverlag. 1997. ISBN 3-8244-4227-2
 
−
#Wilson, H.H. - '''''Pressure Group''''' - History of the political fight to introduce commercial television into the United Kingdom. - Rutgers University Press, 1961.
 
−
#West, W.J. - '''''Truth Betrayed''''' a critical assessment of the BBC, London, 1987, ISBN 0-7156-2182-3
 
  
−
==Notes & references==
+
*Briggs, Asa. ''The BBC: The First Fifty Years.'' Condensed version of the five-volume history by the same author. Oxford University Press, 1985. ISBN 0192129716
−
<references/>
+
*Coulton, Barbara. ''Louis MacNeice in the BBC.'' Writer and producer from 1941 to 1961 in the Features Department of BBC radio. Faber and Faber, 1980. ISBN 0571115373
 +
*Gilder, Eric. ''Mass Media Moments in the United Kingdom, the USSR and the USA.'' Historical background relating to the British Broadcasting Company, Ltd., its founding companies; their transatlantic connections; General Post Office licensing system; commercial competitors from Europe prior to World War II and offshore during the 1960s. Romania: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu Press, 2003. ISBN 978-9736515965
 +
*Milne, Alasdair. ''The memoirs of a British broadcaster.'' History of the Zircon spy satellite affair, written by a former Director General of the BBC. A series of BBC radio programs called ''The Secret Society'' led to a raid by police in both England and Scotland to seize documents as part of a government censorship campaign. Coronet, 1989. ISBN 0340497505
 +
*Moran, Lord. ''Churchill at War 1940 to 1945 - The Memoirs of Churchill's Doctor.'' A diary which paints an intimate portrait of Churchill by Sir Charles Watson, his personal physician (Lord Moran), who spent the war years with the Prime Minister. In his diary, Moran recorded insights into Churchill's character, and moments when he let his guard down, including his views about the BBC being riddled with communists. Carroll & Graf, Reissue, 2002. ISBN 0786710411
 +
*Parker, Derek. ''Radio: The Great Years.'' History of BBC radio programs from the beginning until the date of publication. David & Charles, 1977. ISBN 0715374303
 +
*Spangenberg, Jochen. ''The BBC in Transition. Reasons, Results and Consequences.'' Encompassing account of the BBC and influencing external factors until 1996. Deutsche Universitaetsverlag, 1997. ISBN 3824442272
 +
*Wilson, H.H. ''Pressure Group.'' History of the political fight to introduce commercial television into the United Kingdom. Rutgers University Press, 1961.
 +
*West, W.J. ''Truth Betrayed.'' a critical assessment of the BBC. London, 1987. ISBN 0715621823
  
 
== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ bbc.co.uk]
+
All links retrieved August 26, 2023.  
−
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/ BBC News]
 
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/broadcastinghouse/ Broadcasting House redevelopment website]
 
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/broadcasting_house.shtml BBC Press Office - Broadcasting House]
 
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/heritage/buildings/broadcasting_house.shtml History of the BBC - Broadcasting House]
 
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archivehour/pip/agm6l/ BBC Radio 4 documentary on Broadcasting House, broadcast 18 March 2006, entitled "The Home of Radio" on The Archive Hour]
 
−
* [http://www.miketodd.net/other/bhhistory/ Broadcasting House - a potted history]
 
−
* [http://www.roger.beckwith.btinternet.co.uk/bh/bh32/bh32_i.htm Broadcasting House in 1932]
 
  
−
===BBC web pages===
+
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/ bbc.co.uk: ''About the BBC'']
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/ bbc.co.uk: ''BBC Homepage'']
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/ bbc.co.uk: ''BBC Homepage'']
−
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/ bbc.co.uk: ''About the BBC'']
+
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/ BBC Editorial Guidelines]
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/ BBC Editorial Guidelines]
+
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/broadcastinghouse/ Broadcasting House]
−
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk News: ''BBC News'']
+
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4375652.stm Analysis: BBC's voice in Europe]
−
* [http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com/Customer/Index.aspx BBC Motion Gallery]
+
*[http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,753213,00.html Media Guardian: ''BBC renews conflict of interest guide for staff''] &mdash; 11 July 2002
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/broadcasting_house.shtml BBC Press Office - Broadcasting House]
+
*[http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1426542,00.html Media Guardian: ''Tories go to war over 'leftie' BBC''] &mdash; 27 February 2005
−
* [http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax BBC Programme Catalogue] - "Details of 949,181 BBC radio & TV programmes, dating back 75 years"
+
*[http://www.miketodd.net/other/bhhistory/ Broadcasting House - a potted history]
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/test2004/index.shtml BBC Test the Nation]
 
−
*[http://www.bbctraining.com/ bbctraining.com: ''BBC Training & Development - training for the broadcast industry'']
 
−
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/heritage/buildings/broadcasting_house.shtml History of the BBC - Broadcasting House]
 
−
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/charter_text.shtml Copy of Royal Charter 1]
 
−
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/features/blog/ Morris Telford's Blog &ndash; ''BBC Shropshire'']
 
−
 
 
−
===Articles from news websites===
 
−
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4375652.stm Evolution of bbc broadcasting languages]
 
−
*[http://www.sundayherald.com/33018 Sunday Herald: ''The BBC's war ... caught in crossfire'' (Mark Damazer, Deputy Director, BBC News)] &mdash; [[13 April]] [[2003]]
 
−
*[http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,63857,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_4 Wired: ''BBC to Open Content Floodgates'' BBC's Creative Archive project] &mdash; [[16 June]] [[2004]]
 
−
*[http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,753213,00.html Media Guardian: ''BBC renews conflict of interest guide for staff''] &mdash; [[11 July]] [[2002]]
 
−
*[http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1426542,00.html Media Guardian: ''Tories go to war over 'leftie' BBC''] &mdash; [[27 February]] [[2005]]
 
−
*[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article313482.ece The Independent: Blair tells Murdoch: 'gloating' BBC is 'full of hatred for America'] &mdash; [[18 September]] [[2005]]
 
−
 
 
−
===Personal sites===
 
−
* [http://www.miketodd.net/other/bhhistory/ Broadcasting House - a potted history]
 
−
* [http://www.roger.beckwith.btinternet.co.uk/bh/bh32/bh32_i.htm Broadcasting House in 1932]
 
−
* [http://www.htw.info/bbc.html Historical Television Website: ''This is the BBC'']
 
−
* [http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/bbc.html TV Ark - The British Television Museum]
 
−
* [http://www.globalcitizen.co.uk/about/essays/bbc.doc Essay examining the reasons for and against the licence fee]
 
−
* [http://www.thetvroom.com The TV Room]
 
−
* [http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/baird/symbol.php An article on the creation of the original BBC logo.]
 
−
 
 
  
  
 
{{Credit3|BBC|60895099|Broadcasting_House|58913241|BBC_News|61425919|}}
 
{{Credit3|BBC|60895099|Broadcasting_House|58913241|BBC_News|61425919|}}

Latest revision as of 05:21, 26 August 2023


The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world. Founded in 1922, it produces programs and information services, broadcasting on television, radio and the Internet. The mission of the BBC is to inform, educate, and entertain. Its motto is Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation. Although its funding is primarily through government-set television license fees, the BBC operates independently, based on provision in its charter that it be free from both political and commercial influence. Motivated, at least in its early development, by quality not profit, the BBC became the most respected source of news in the world, praised for its unbiased and balanced reporting. Increasing criticism, based in part on complaints that competition is difficult due to the BBC's income from license fees, and also claims of bias, have led the BBC to develop new methods of generating revenue, the use of digital and interactive media to provide new distribution modalities, as well as a renewed commitment to quality broadcasting. These advances assure the BBC of a significant role in the twenty-first century media arena, a position of great responsibility in an increasingly globalized society.

History

The original British Broadcasting Company was founded in 1922, by various private firms, to broadcast experimental radio services. Its first transmission was on November 14th of that year.

The company, with John Reith as general manager, became the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1927 when it was granted a Royal Charter of incorporation and ceased to be privately owned. It started experimental television broadcasting in 1932, becoming a regular service (known as the BBC Television Service) in 1936. Domestic audiences have affectionately referred to the BBC as the Beeb, or as Auntie, the latter originating in the somewhat fuddy duddy Auntie knows best[1] attitude dating back to the early days when John Reith was in charge.

Television broadcasting was suspended from September 1, 1939 to June 7, 1946 due to the Second World War. Competition to the BBC was introduced for the first time in 1955, with the commercially and independently operated ITV (Independent Television). The BBC introduced a second TV channel, (BBC 2), in 1964, renaming the existing channel BBC 1. BBC 2 was broadcast in color from July 1, 1967, and was joined by BBC 1 and ITV on November 15, 1969.

Since the deregulation of the UK television and radio market in the 1980s, the BBC 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.

The BBC Research Department has played a major part in the development of broadcasting and recording techniques. In the early days it carried out essential research into acoustics, program level measurement, and noise measurement and established standards that rapidly spread, particularly throughout the British Empire. In this respect it filled a role that is now lacking in many areas, since it was motivated by the desire for quality, not profit.

The Corporation

Headquarters and Regional Offices

Broadcasting House is the headquarters of the BBC in London. Situated in Portland Place, it is normally home to BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and BBC 7.

Broadcasting House was officially opened on May 14, 1932. It is difficult to comprehend how miraculous and transformative radio was in the early twentieth century. The architecture of Broadcasting House reflects those intense early attitudes about radio, progress, and science.

Walking up Regent Street in London, towards the bend where Regent Street joins Portland Place, directly ahead, the distinctive semi-circular portico and Gothic spire of All Souls Church, erected in 1824, appears. Around the bend, the distinctive semi-circular facade and stylized radio tower of Broadcasting House rise like a temple of progress above the busy street, echoing All Souls and declaring the start of a new enlightened age. At the front of the building are statues of Prospero and Ariel (from Shakespeare's The Tempest). Their choice was fitting since Prospero was a magician, and Ariel a spirit of the air, in which radio waves travel.

Broadcasting House was the home of the BBC Radio Theatre, where music and speech programs (typically comedy for BBC Radio 4) were recorded in front of a studio audience.

In 2005 and 2006 respectively, BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music moved their studios from Broadcasting House to newly built studios in the adjacent Western House. [2]

As well as the various BBC buildings in London, there are major BBC production centers located in Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, and Newcastle upon Tyne. There are also many smaller local and regional studios scattered throughout the UK, some of which are known locally as "Broadcasting House" in imitation of the BBC's London headquarters.

Royal Charter

The BBC is a quasi-autonomous public corporation operating as a public service broadcaster, incorporated under a royal charter. The charter is reviewed on a ten-yearly basis, by a board of governors appointed by the government. The BBC is required by its charter to be free from both political and commercial influence, and answers only to its viewers and listeners.

On March 2, 2005 the Culture Secretary published a "green paper" setting out her proposals for the future of the BBC. The main points of this were:

  • Maintenance of the license fee system until at least 2016
  • Abolition of the BBC Governors, to be replaced by a "BBC Trust"
  • Increasing outsourcing of production (a process already started by Mark Thompson)
  • Reduced emphasis on "ratings for ratings' sake" and copycat programs (such as reality television).

Management

The BBC is a nominally autonomous corporation, independent from direct government intervention. It is run by an appointed Board of Governors. General management of the organization is in the hands of a Director-General, appointed by the governors.

Finance

The BBC has the largest budget of any UK broadcaster; its annual budget in 2005 was approximately £3.8 billion.

Revenue

BBC Income in 2004

The principal means of funding the BBC is through television license fees. Such a license is required (Under the 1947 Wireless and Telegraphy Act) to operate a broadcast television receiver within the UK. The cost of a television license (as of 2006 costing around £11 a month) is set by the government and enforced by criminal law, but the revenue is collected privately and does not pass through the state before reaching the BBC, and hence it is inaccurate to refer to the BBC as a "state" broadcaster.

Income from commercial enterprises and from overseas sales of its catalogue of programs substantially increased at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

According to its 2005 Annual Report[3], the BBC's income can be broken down as follows:

  • £2,940.3m license fees collected from consumers.
  • £624.3m from BBC Commercial Businesses.
  • £247.2m from the World Service, of which £225.1m is from grants (primarily funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), £16.7m from subscriptions, and £5.4m from other sources.
  • £23.5m from other income, such as providing content to overseas broadcasters and concert ticket sales.

Expenditure

BBC Expenditure percentages

The BBC[4] gives the following figures for expenditure of license fee income:

  • 35 percent - BBC One
  • 15 percent - BBC Two
  • 15 percent - local TV and radio
  • 12 percent - network radio
  • 10 percent - digital (BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, CBBC, CBeebies)
  • 10 percent - transmission costs and license fee collection
  • 3 percent - BBC Online, Ceefax, and Interactive Content (including bbc.co.uk and BBCi)

BBC Services

Among the BBC's many services are domestic radio and television stations. Its wholly owned commercial subsidiaries jointly operate a number of other broadcasting services, namely the UKTV channels, some of the Discovery channels, and several other services available on satellite and cable service in the UK.

The BBC also has many non-broadcasting ventures within the United Kingdom, including book and magazine publishing (BBC Books), and multimedia production services (DVDs, CDs, computer games) provided by BBC Multimedia. These are predominantly owned and operated by BBC Worldwide Ltd, profits from which are fed back into the corporation to subsidize program making.

The BBC has both satellite and cable broadcasting joint ventures serving the United States, Canada, and other countries. In addition, the BBC operates world broadcasting services (especially radio) in cooperation with, and some funded by, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 2005, the BBC announced that it would substantially reduce its radio broadcasting in Eastern European languages and divert resources instead to a new Arabic language satellite TV broadcasting station (including radio and online content) in the Middle East, to be launched in 2007 [5]. Also run jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is BBC Monitoring, which monitors radio, television, the press, and the Internet worldwide.

Before the introduction of ITV in 1955, and subsequently Independent Radio in 1973, the BBC held a monopoly on broadcasting. More recent deregulation of the British television broadcasting market produced analogue cable television and satellite broadcasting and later digital satellite, digital cable and digital terrestrial television (DTT). Today the BBC broadcasts in almost all media and operates an Internet service, [bbb.co.uk].

BBC News

BBC News claims to be the largest broadcast news gathering operation in the world, providing services to BBC domestic radio as well as television networks such as BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, and BBC World, as well as BBCi, Ceefax, and BBC News Online. New BBC News services that are also proving popular are mobile services to mobile phones and PDAs. Desktop news alerts, e-mail alerts, and digital TV alerts are also available.

BBC News and Current Affairs is a major arm of the BBC, responsible for the corporation's news gathering and production of news programs on BBC television, radio, and online. It is the largest news broadcaster in the world and produces almost 100 hours of output daily. The News department consists of 3,500 staff of which 2,000 are journalists. The annual budget of BBC News is £350 million.

BBC News carries out a key objective of the BBC's Royal Charter: to "collect news and information in any part of the world and in any manner that may be thought fit."

BBC News is based at Television Centre (TVC), on Wood Lane in London, and operates regional centers across the United Kingdom as well as 44 newsgathering bureaus around the world. Of these bureaus, 41 are based overseas. Political coverage is based at the Millbank Studios in Westminster. Due to the non-central location of TVC, however, in 2008 the News Centre is due to move to BBC Radio's headquarters, BBC Broadcasting House at Portland Place in Central London.

Within the United Kingdom, BBC News faces competition from Sky News and ITN (Independent Television News). It is important to note however, that the ITN News Channel (also known as the ITV News Channel) ceased broadcasting in the UK. In 2005, it was announced that the BBC Six O'Clock News was the most popular daily news program, whilst the corporation's 24 hour rolling news channel, BBC News 24, was the most popular 24 hour news channel in Britain [6].

The BBC is one of the most respected news broadcasters, garnering respect in the UK and around the world. It has won praise for its unbiased and balanced reporting. Research has shown that for coverage of major events, such as the Iraq war and September 11 attacks, viewers turned to the BBC. It is, however, not free from controversies and criticisms from some commentators.

Political and commercial independence

The BBC is required by its charter to be free from both political and commercial influence, and to answer only to its viewers and listeners. Nevertheless, the BBC's political objectivity is sometimes questioned. For instance, The Daily Telegraph (Aug 3, 2005) carried a letter from the Soviet KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky, referring to it as "The Red Service." Books have been written on the subject, although rarely from people writing neutrally themselves, including anti-BBC works like Truth Betrayed by W. J. West and The Truth Twisters by Richard Deacon.

The BBC is regularly accused by the government of the day of bias in favor of the opposition and, by the opposition, of bias in favor of the government. Similarly, during times of war, the BBC is often accused by the UK government, or by strong supporters of British military campaigns, of being overly sympathetic to the view of the enemy. This gave rise in 1991, during the first Gulf War, to the satirical name "Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation." Conversely, some of those who style themselves anti-establishment in the United Kingdom, or who oppose foreign wars have accused the BBC of pro-establishment bias or of refusing to give an outlet to "anti-war" voices. Some have argued that a current of anti-BBC thinking exists in many parts of the political spectrum and that, since the BBC's theoretical[7]means they will broadcast many views and opinions, people will see the bias they wish to see. This argument is buttressed by the fact that the BBC is frequently accused of bias by all opinions in a dispute.

Controversies and criticisms

Examples of controversies and criticisms over BBC News reporting include coverage of the Iraq War and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, as well as criticism over their use of the English language and the views of foreign governments.

Iraq War

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq the BBC was accused of pro-Iraq War bias. There were anti-war protests outside its offices.[8] A Cardiff University report found that the BBC "displayed the most 'pro-war' agenda of any broadcaster." Over the three weeks of the initial conflict, 11 percent of the sources quoted by the BBC were of coalition government or military origin, the highest proportion of all the main television broadcasters. The BBC was less likely than Sky, ITV, or Channel 4 News to use independent sources, which also tended to be the most skeptical. The BBC also placed least emphasis on Iraqi casualties. [9][10]

Three BBC News reports (Andrew Gilligan's on Today, Gavin Hewitt's on The Ten O'Clock News and another on Newsnight) quoted an anonymous source that stated the British government (particularly the Prime Minister's office) had embellished the "September Dossier" with misleading exaggerations of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities. The government angrily denounced the reports and accused the corporation of poor journalism. Subsequent weeks saw the apparent suicide of the BBC's source, David Kelly, and resignation of BBC Chairman, Gavyn Davies.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

In 2006, an independent inquiry set up to "assess the impartiality of BBC news and current affairs coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with particular regard to accuracy, fairness, context, balance and bias"[11] has determined that there is no systematic bias, but that coverage sometimes gives an incomplete picture which may mislead viewers and affect their understanding of the situation.[12], [13]. The commission's report suggested that the BBC's news reporting was not sufficiently covering the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and was too focused on the Israeli perspective of events.

Previously, the BBC's news coverage has been accused of "systematic anti-Israel bias" [14],[15]. The majority of such accusations come from Zionist or pro-Israeli groups.

Use of the English language

A particular criticism made of BBC News since the bombings in London on July 7, 2005 is its perceived reluctance to use the word "terrorist" in reporting. For example, Palestinians who bomb civilians in Israel are often referred to as "militants." Alternatively, those responsible for the attacks in London were called "suicide bombers" in some reports. In its defense the BBC says that the word "terrorist" is not banned, but it prefers to use "more precise wording."[16]

View of foreign governments

Some on the right in the U.S., particularly those close to the Bush administration, have accused BBC News of having an anti-American bias.

BBC News reporters and broadcasts have recently, and have been in the past, been banned in several countries primarily for reporting which has been unfavorable to the ruling government. For example, its correspondents were banned by the former apartheid régime of South Africa.

The BBC has been banned by the administration of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, whose government first sought to censor its broadcast, and later proscribed it as 'a terrorist organization' [17]. Other examples include China [18], Sri Lanka [19] and Pakistan[20].

Radio

The BBC has five major national stations, BBC Radio 1 ("the best in new music"), BBC Radio 2 (the UK's most listened to radio station, with 13.7 million weekly listeners), BBC Radio 3 (specialist-interest music such as classical, world, arts, drama, and jazz), BBC Radio 4 (current affairs, drama and comedy), and BBC Radio 5 Live, and Radio 5 Live SportXL (24 hour news, sports and talk).

There is also a network of local stations (for example BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Jersey and BBC London) with a mixture of talk, news, and music in England and the Channel Islands as well as national stations of BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru (in Welsh), BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (in Scots Gaelic), BBC Radio Ulster, and BBC Radio Foyle.

The BBC has been at the forefront of digital radio broadcasting with BBC Five Live Sports Extra (a companion to Five Live for additional events coverage), BBC 1Xtra (for black, urban, and gospel music), BBC 6 Music (alternative genres of music), BBC 7 (comedy, drama, and kids shows), BBC Asian Network (Asian talk, music, and news in many Asian languages), and BBC World Service.

For a worldwide audience, the BBC produces the Foreign Office funded BBC World Service, which is broadcast worldwide on shortwave radio, and on DAB Digital Radio in the UK. The World Service can be received in 139 capital cities worldwide and is a major source of news and information programming for over 140 million listeners worldwide. The Service currently broadcasts in 43 languages and dialects (including English), though not all languages are broadcast in all areas.[21]

Since 1943, the BBC has also provided radio programming to the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which broadcasts in countries where British troops are stationed.

All of the national BBC radio stations, as well as the BBC World Service, are available over the Internet in streaming audio format, and podcasting.

Television

BBC Television Centre in West London.

BBC One and BBC Two are the BBC's flagship television channels. BBC One is a regionalized TV service which provides opt-outs throughout the day for local news and other local programming. The BBC is also promoting the new channels BBC Three and BBC Four, which are only available via digital television equipment (already in widespread use in the UK, with analog transmission to be phased out from 2008). The BBC also runs BBC News 24, BBC Parliament, and two children's channels, CBBC and CBeebies, also on digital.

Since 1975, the BBC has also provided its TV programs to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), allowing members of HM Forces serving all over the world to watch and listen to their favorite programs from home on two dedicated TV channels.

Beginning in 2006, BBC HD began hi-definition (HDTV) broadcasts. It has been producing programs in the format for many years, planning to produce 100 percent of new programs in HDTV by 2010.

Worldwide

BBC Worldwide Limited is the wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC, responsible for the commercial use of BBC programs and other properties, including a number of television stations throughout the world. The cable and satellite stations BBC Prime (in Europe, Africa the Middle East, and Asia), BBC America, BBC Canada (alongside BBC Kids, and BBC Japan broadcast popular BBC programs to people outside the UK, as does UK.TV in Australasia. BBC Worldwide also runs a 24-hour news channel, BBC World and co-runs the UKTV network of stations in the UK, producers of amongst others UKTV Gold. In addition, BBC television news appears nightly on many Public Broadcasting Service stations in the United States.

Many BBC programs (especially documentaries) are sold via BBC Worldwide to foreign television stations, and comedy, documentaries, and historical drama productions are popular on the international DVD market.

BBC Worldwide also maintains the publishing arm of the BBC. BBC Magazines, formerly known as BBC Publications, publishes the Radio Times and a number of magazines that support BBC programming such as Top Gear, BBC Good Food, The Sky at Night, BBC History, BBC Wildlife and BBC Music. In addition, BBC Worldwide acquired the independent magazine publisher Origin Publishing in 2004.

Internet

The bbc.co.uk website, formerly BBCi and before that BBC Online, includes a comprehensive, advertisement-free news website and archive. It is the UK's most-visited digital destination with over 3 million web pages. In January 2006, bbc.co.uk was the 11th most popular English Language website in the world.[22]

The website allows the BBC to produce sections which complement the various programs on television and radio. The site also allows users to listen to most BBC radio output live and for seven days after broadcast; some TV content is also distributed. A system is under development to deliver both radio and TV content for offline use for up to seven days.

Interactive

BBCi is the brand name for the BBC's interactive digital television services. Unlike Ceefax, BBCi is able to display full-color graphics, photographs, and video, as well as educational programs. BBCi provides viewers with over 120 interactive TV programs every year, as well as the 24/7 service. It also has video weather and news.

The BBC in the Future

Despite criticisms from some in politics and business, the BBC remains an important force in British and worldwide media. Continued expansion into other media from television to radio to the Internet is evidence of the BBC's vigor and commitment to promoting quality in broadcasting, as required in its charter.

Notes

  1. ↑ Press Release 2004 Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  2. ↑ Western House - The New Studios. BBC. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  3. ↑ BBC Annual Report 2005
  4. ↑ BBC governors set to be scrapped, March 2, 2005, BBC.BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  5. ↑ Middle East Times March 15, 2006
  6. ↑ Peter Horrocks, "Television News," October 6, 2005 [1] Newswatch. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  7. ↑ impartiality BBC.
  8. ↑ Manchester Demo March 29th. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  9. ↑ Was the BBC really biased against the war? October 9, 2003, [2] Cardiff. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  10. ↑ Study deals a blow to claims of anti-war bias in BBC news.guardian.uk. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  11. ↑ Impartiality Review Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.BBC governors.
  12. ↑ BBC 'must improve Mid-East view'BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  13. ↑ BBC's coverage of Israeli-Palestinian conflict 'misleading'.Guardian. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  14. ↑ BBC Newsnight's Insidious Accusationshonestreporting.
  15. ↑ Reporter's tears for Arafat were 'biased'.thescotsman. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Editorial Guidelines in Full" more precise wording.BBC.
  17. ↑ Broadcasting of BBC in Zimbabwe stopped. afrol. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  18. ↑ CHINA: Censor blocks sensitive issues in BBC series.asiamedia.
  19. ↑ Sri Lanka 'drops war censorship' October 31, 2007,[3].BBC News.Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  20. ↑ BBC Urdu taken off Pakistan radio BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  21. ↑ Governors' Review of Services: BBC World Service & Global News.BBC governors.
  22. ↑ Top English Language Sites.alexa. Retrieved July 9, 2008.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Briggs, Asa. The BBC: The First Fifty Years. Condensed version of the five-volume history by the same author. Oxford University Press, 1985. ISBN 0192129716
  • Coulton, Barbara. Louis MacNeice in the BBC. Writer and producer from 1941 to 1961 in the Features Department of BBC radio. Faber and Faber, 1980. ISBN 0571115373
  • Gilder, Eric. Mass Media Moments in the United Kingdom, the USSR and the USA. Historical background relating to the British Broadcasting Company, Ltd., its founding companies; their transatlantic connections; General Post Office licensing system; commercial competitors from Europe prior to World War II and offshore during the 1960s. Romania: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu Press, 2003. ISBN 978-9736515965
  • Milne, Alasdair. The memoirs of a British broadcaster. History of the Zircon spy satellite affair, written by a former Director General of the BBC. A series of BBC radio programs called The Secret Society led to a raid by police in both England and Scotland to seize documents as part of a government censorship campaign. Coronet, 1989. ISBN 0340497505
  • Moran, Lord. Churchill at War 1940 to 1945 - The Memoirs of Churchill's Doctor. A diary which paints an intimate portrait of Churchill by Sir Charles Watson, his personal physician (Lord Moran), who spent the war years with the Prime Minister. In his diary, Moran recorded insights into Churchill's character, and moments when he let his guard down, including his views about the BBC being riddled with communists. Carroll & Graf, Reissue, 2002. ISBN 0786710411
  • Parker, Derek. Radio: The Great Years. History of BBC radio programs from the beginning until the date of publication. David & Charles, 1977. ISBN 0715374303
  • Spangenberg, Jochen. The BBC in Transition. Reasons, Results and Consequences. Encompassing account of the BBC and influencing external factors until 1996. Deutsche Universitaetsverlag, 1997. ISBN 3824442272
  • Wilson, H.H. Pressure Group. History of the political fight to introduce commercial television into the United Kingdom. Rutgers University Press, 1961.
  • West, W.J. Truth Betrayed. a critical assessment of the BBC. London, 1987. ISBN 0715621823

External Links

All links retrieved August 26, 2023.


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