The BBC A brief history The British Broadcasting

The BBC

A brief history. The British Broadcasting Company, as the BBC was originally called, was formed on 18 October 1922 by a group of leading wireless manufacturers. In september 1923 the first edition of The Radio Times listed the few programmes on offer. It also provided advice for budding radio enthusiasts, and numerous advertisements by the fledgling radio industry, offering the latest in radio receiving technology. It was to become one of the world’s most popular listing magazines. The BBC was established by Royal Charter as the British Broadcasting Corporation in Janruary 1927. The BBC's Royal Charter

Why is it unique? The BBC is unique from all other TV and radio broadcasters because the BBC doesnt have adverts. Every other channel pays for its self whereas the BBC gets funding from households who own a TV. Example of an advert

How is it funded? The BBC is funded from all households who have a TV signal, in return the BBC doesn't show adverts. This is called “TV License”.

What Sectors do they operate in? The BBC is a conglomerate, as it operates in several media sectors. The BBC operates in: TV, Radio, Online, News.

What do they produce? The BBC started in 1922 producing radio content. With the advancements in technology the BBC have since then diversified into multiple media sectors. Again for example: TV and online operating.

BBC 3 More than a year ago the BBC set plans to axe BBC 3 -on air, knowing it would be unpopular with viewers and that a move online was happening sooner than they would have liked, but the BBC had no choice. It needed to save money. There is a sizeable constituency of young viewers who only consume BBC television through BBC 3 and have enjoyed a range of programmes including Professor Green’s examination of male suicide, and comedies like In the Flesh and Bluestone 42. These are people who simply do not watch BBC 1, BBC 2 or BBC 4. Of these 925, 000 viewers who consume no BBC TV content except BBC 3, 80% of them – 740, 000 people – could be lost to the BBC altogether, according to the Trust’s projected figures.

Do they have shares/interests in any other company? The BBC jointly owns UKTV alongside Scripps Networks Interactive. The BBC also jointly owns 2 Entertain.

Who are it's main competetors? The BBC is funded publicly through a TV license. Every household in the UK watching or recording programs on the BBC through any means (TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder) legally has to purchase a license. A standard colour TV Licence costs £ 147 and a black and white licence costs £ 49. 50. Discounts are available for certain populations (elderly, blind, etc). As the BBC is funded by the license fee, their programming is not interrupted by commercial breaks (just like HBO in the USA). This has an affect on the overall program running times. A one hour programme on the BBC generally has a seamless (no breaks) TRT (total run time) of 59 minutes. ITV is not funded through a license fee and is a commercial entity. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constitutes part of the FTSE 100. The company PLC earns revenue through advertising, licensing, production and distribution. As ITV programs need to accommodate adverts, this affects their TRT. The TRT of a one hour program on an ITV channel will be anywhere from 46′ 30″ to 48′ (including credits and sponsorship bumpers, depending upon the time of airing); and will include 3 part breaks. (Religious programming runs for a seamless 55′ 40).