BBC

The BBC, short for British Broadcasting Corporation, is the United Kingdom's publicly funded national broadcaster. It operates television, radio, and online services, producing content for domestic and international audiences.

Established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it became a public corporation in 1927 under a Royal Charter and expanded from radio to television and online platforms. The BBC's headquarters are in Broadcasting House, London.

It is governed by the BBC Board and reporting to the UK Parliament, with editorial independence enshrined in its charter. The Director-General is the BBC's chief executive; as of 2024, Tim Davie holds the post.

The BBC is funded primarily by the television license fee paid by UK households, with exemptions and reforms debated in Parliament. The license fee supports its public service mission rather than commercial interests. The broadcaster is regulated under the framework of the Royal Charter and is overseen by the BBC Board, with regulatory input from Ofcom on certain standards and compliance.

The BBC operates multiple national and regional television channels (such as BBC One, BBC Two) and radio networks (Radio 1–Radio 6, BBC Sounds). Its online services include BBC iPlayer, BBC News, and BBC Sounds; BBC Studios handles production and distribution of content sold internationally.

Global reach includes the BBC World Service, which broadcasts in many languages to international audiences and is funded by UK government grants.

The BBC is a major producer of news, drama, comedy and factual programming; it aims to inform, educate and entertain, while maintaining editorial independence.