A timeline of the BBC - in pictures

  • October 18, 1922 – the British Broadcasting Company is launched. Getty Images
    October 18, 1922 – the British Broadcasting Company is launched. Getty Images
  • December 14, 1922 – Scottish engineer John Reith is appointed as the first General Manager of the BBC. Getty Images
    December 14, 1922 – Scottish engineer John Reith is appointed as the first General Manager of the BBC. Getty Images
  • January 1, 1927 – The BBC becomes the British Broadcasting Corporation after being granted a Royal Charter. Getty Images
    January 1, 1927 – The BBC becomes the British Broadcasting Corporation after being granted a Royal Charter. Getty Images
  • July 7, 1927 – First music show is broadcast as Christopher Stone becomes the first British disc jockey. Getty Images
    July 7, 1927 – First music show is broadcast as Christopher Stone becomes the first British disc jockey. Getty Images
  • December 25, 1932 – King George V becomes first monarch to deliver a Christmas Day message to the nation. Getty Images
    December 25, 1932 – King George V becomes first monarch to deliver a Christmas Day message to the nation. Getty Images
  • January 3, 1938 – The BBC begins first foreign language broadcast in Arabic. Getty Images
    January 3, 1938 – The BBC begins first foreign language broadcast in Arabic. Getty Images
  • September 1, 1939 – BBC television is suspended following the outbreak of the Second World War amid fears the transmissions would act as guidance beams for enemy bombers attempting to locate London, and its engineers were needed to work on radar systems. Getty Images
    September 1, 1939 – BBC television is suspended following the outbreak of the Second World War amid fears the transmissions would act as guidance beams for enemy bombers attempting to locate London, and its engineers were needed to work on radar systems. Getty Images
  • June 7, 1946 – BBC television broadcasts recommence after the war. Getty Images
    June 7, 1946 – BBC television broadcasts recommence after the war. Getty Images
  • June 2, 1953 – Twenty million people watch Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. PA
    June 2, 1953 – Twenty million people watch Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. PA
  • 1956 – BBC begins colour broadcasts. Getty Images
    1956 – BBC begins colour broadcasts. Getty Images
  • 1970 – The first edition of the Nine O’Clock News is launched. Getty Images
    1970 – The first edition of the Nine O’Clock News is launched. Getty Images
  • 1974 – BBC teletext service Ceefax launches. Getty Images
    1974 – BBC teletext service Ceefax launches. Getty Images
  • July 29, 1981 – The wedding of Prince Charles to his late wife Princess Diana attracts 750m viewers. AFP
    July 29, 1981 – The wedding of Prince Charles to his late wife Princess Diana attracts 750m viewers. AFP
  • November 4, 1997 – BBC News Online launches and BBC News 24 is launched a few days later. Getty Images
    November 4, 1997 – BBC News Online launches and BBC News 24 is launched a few days later. Getty Images
  • October 18, 2022 – BBC celebrates 100 years. Getty Images
    October 18, 2022 – BBC celebrates 100 years. Getty Images