Explore more than 100 years of the BBC’s history – click on our interactive timeline or investigate a topical anniversary, unpack the story of fascinating objects from our varied collections, or go in-depth via one of our long-form articles.
And tell us your memories of what the BBC means to you.
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The BBC on VE Day
On VE Day 80 years ago, the BBC captured the mood not just of Britain, but of the wider world in a series of innovative outside broadcasts. David Hendy, Professor Emeritus, University of Sussex recalls a huge BBC effort to capture a momentous day in history. -
Victory in Europe to Cold War
As the "hot war" of 1945 ended, it wasn't long before a war of quite a different sort started to emerge - a Cold War. Covering it was a challenge that the BBC faced for over 40 years, as Dr Alban Webb of Sussex University explains. -
The epic series - the legacy continues
In May 1973 The Ascent of Man series took an epic approach to its mapping of humankind. It was a method of programme making that began with landmark series Civilisation, as Lisa Kerrigan of the British Film Institute explains. Image: Dr Jacob Bronowski presenter of The Ascent of Man. -
Channel control - David Attenborough and BBC Two
60 years ago natural history legend David Attenborough took up the challenge of running the BBC's second television channel, BBC Two. It was a huge change in the programme makers life as Liz Storey of BBC Archives explains. -
Faces of the BBC
Women played a marginalised role in the BBC before the Second World War, but the conflict changed all that, accelerating women's skills in broadcasting. Audrey Russell broke in to the all-male world of reporting at the time. This powerful image of her, taken 80 years ago, is part of our Faces of the BBC Collection. -
Objects of the BBC
1991 was a big year for BBC Two - the launch of the channel's iconic "2" idents. Our Objects of the BBC collection has more. -
Celebrating BBC buildings
Our trail of broadcasting heritage plaques features some of the UK’s first ever radio stations, plus the people and personalities who have made a major impact on broadcasting in the UK. -
BBC Exhibitions
Look out for events and exhibitions showcasing BBC entertainment, science, and war programming, international broadcasting, and vintage radio and TV equipment. Image: Image: ffotoNant.
Links
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BBC Archive
Hand-picked and popular selections from the BBC archives. -
The Researchers
Features by academics from across the world looking at a wide range of BBC related subjects. -
BBC Programme Index
Explore the BBC’s historical listings information from 1922 to the present day. -
Connected Histories of the BBC
A University of Sussex-AHRC research project -
British Entertainment History Project
The UK's largest oral history collection of interviews with professionals from across the film, television, radio and theatre industries. -
BBC Memory Bank
Giving longstanding and retired staff the opportunity to write their part of the unofficial history of the BBC. -
BBC iPlayer from the Archive
The destination to discover the most distinctive content from the BBC's rich archive. -
Archive on Four
Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond.
