What is the BBC?
The BBC, or British Broadcasting Corporation, is the United Kingdom's national public broadcaster. Founded in 1922, it runs television channels, radio stations, the BBC iPlayer streaming service and BBC News.
The BBC began as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922 and became a public corporation in 1927 under a Royal Charter. Its first director-general was John Reith, who set out its mission to inform, educate and entertain.
BBC television began in 1936, making it one of the first regular TV services in the world.
Funding and independence
The BBC is funded mainly by the television licence fee, paid by households that watch live TV or use iPlayer. It does not show commercial advertising on its UK services.
It is required to be impartial in its news coverage. The BBC World Service broadcasts in many languages to audiences around the world.
Famous BBC programs include Doctor Who, EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear and nature documentaries presented by David Attenborough. The BBC is often nicknamed Auntie or the Beeb. Its headquarters are at Broadcasting House in London.