How the BBC began: From radio experiment to global broadcaster
From its beginnings as a commercial radio consortium to its present-day global presence, the BBC has been central to British public life. It has documented wars, royal ceremonies, and scientific achievements while continually adapting to new technology
The BBC's origins trace back to growing public pressure for a national radio broadcasting service in the early 1920s. Until then, official concerns over interference with vital services-such as military communications-had limited radio activity in Britain.
The UK's first live radio broadcast took place on 15 June 1920 from Guglielmo Marconi's Chelmsford factory. Featuring soprano Dame Nellie Melba and sponsored by the Daily Mail's Lord Northcliffe, it "entranced the nation" and demonstrated public appetite for regular broadcasts, according to Teletronic.
Following this, the General Post Office (GPO) received around 100 requests for broadcast licences. To prevent an "un-regulated scramble for the radio spectrum," the GPO issued a single licence to a consortium of radio manufacturers.
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On 18 May 1922, the Post Office met with representatives of eighteen companies, and after five months of deliberation, the British Broadcasting Company was formed on 18 October 1922. The company began daily transmissions on 14 November 1922, with a news bulletin from the 2LO studio in London. By 1925, it was broadcasting across most of the UK from its base at Savoy Hill, says the BBC.
Transition to a public corporation (1927)
In 1927, the British Broadcasting Company was restructured as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The transformation, led by John Reith-later Lord Reith-established the BBC as a public corporation under Royal Charter, with editorial independence and funding from a public licence fee.
Key moments in BBC history
1920s–1930s: Building a national and global service
During the 1926 General Strike, when no regular newspapers were published, the BBC became the only source of news.
The BBC launched the Empire Service in 1932, marking the start of its international broadcasting, later known as the World Service.
That same year, it moved headquarters to Broadcasting House in London.
1936–1939: The first television era
The BBC began sponsoring television experiments led by inventor John Logie Baird in the 1920s. Following the 1935 Selsdon Report, it was tasked with developing a public television service.
Britain's first high-definition public TV broadcast was introduced at Radiolympia on 26 August 1936.
The world's first regular high-definition television service began on 2 November 1936, from Alexandra Palace.
The first outside broadcast took place on 5 September 1936, featuring comedian Leonard Henry.
The programme Television Comes to London became an early example of documentary-style broadcasting.
Royal and historic broadcasts
The Coronation of King George VI in 1937 marked one of the first large-scale royal events covered by the BBC.
In 1938, Richard Dimbleby reported on Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's return from Munich, where he delivered his "peace in our time" speech.
The 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was watched by nearly 22 million people, prompting a surge in television ownership across the UK.
The BBC announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II live on air in 2022.
World War II and aftermath
Television services were suspended on 1 September 1939, as Britain entered World War Two. Radio became the BBC's primary medium during the conflict, known for its trusted news and morale-boosting broadcasts.
Technological and cultural shifts (1960s–2000s)
In 1967, the BBC launched Radio One to appeal to younger listeners after the rise of pirate radio.
The same year saw the introduction of colour television on BBC Two.
The digital era began with the launch of BBC iPlayer in 2007, allowing on-demand streaming of programmes.
From its beginnings as a commercial radio consortium to its present-day global presence, the BBC has been central to British public life. It has documented wars, royal ceremonies, and scientific achievements while continually adapting to new technology.
Its Royal Charter and public funding model have underpinned its mission to "inform, educate and entertain" - a guiding principle established by John Reith nearly a century ago.
