November 1922: First Radio Bulletin
The British Broadcasting Company aired its first radio news bulletin from station 2LO in November 1922.
1934: BBC Creates News Operation
The BBC established its own news operation in 1934.
1936: Cinema Newsreels on TV
Cinema newsreels from Gaumont British and Movietone began to be broadcast on the BBC's television service in 1936.
1946: Simulcasting Radio News
The BBC started simulcasting its radio news on television in 1946, accompanied by a still image of Big Ben.
January 1948: Television Newsreel Launch
The BBC began producing its own Television Newsreel program in January 1948.
April 1950: Children's Newsreel
A weekly Children's Newsreel was launched on 23 April 1950.
1950: Move to Lime Grove Studios
In 1950, mainstream television production, including the Current Affairs department (then known as the Talks Department), moved from Alexandra Palace to Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd's Bush, west London.
1951: Newsreel Review of the Week
News Review was a successor to the weekly Newsreel Review of the Week, which had been produced since 1951 as the opening program on Sunday evenings.
November 1953: First Panorama Broadcast
The inaugural broadcast of Panorama, a new documentary program, took place on 11 November 1953.
1953: Coronation Boosts Television
Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 sparked public interest in television, with an estimated 27 million viewers in the UK.
July 1954: First Televised Bulletin
The first televised news bulletin, presented by Richard Baker, aired on 5 July 1954. It involved narration over still images and was followed by the customary Television Newsreel.
July 1954: Televised Bulletins Begin
The BBC started broadcasting televised news bulletins from leased studios in Alexandra Palace, London, on 5 July 1954.
September 1955: On-Screen Newsreaders
On-screen newsreaders, including Kenneth Kendall, Robert Dougall, and Richard Baker, were introduced in 1955, three weeks before ITN launched on 21 September 1955.
1955: TV Licenses Rise
By 1955, the number of television licenses in the UK had increased to four and a half million.
1955: Richard Dimbleby Anchors Panorama
Richard Dimbleby became the anchor of Panorama in 1955.
1958: Hugh Carleton Greene Heads News
Hugh Carleton Greene was appointed head of News and Current Affairs in 1958.
January 1960: Greene Becomes Director-General
Hugh Carleton Greene became Director-General of the BBC on 1 January 1960. He implemented changes to align BBC reporting more closely with ITN's style, which had received positive feedback in study groups conducted by Greene.
June 1960: First Female Newsreader
Nan Winton made history as the first female BBC network newsreader to appear on television on 20 June 1960.
September 1960: The Ten O'Clock News
The Ten O'Clock News, a radio news and current affairs program, debuted on 19 September 1960.
April 1964: BBC2 Launches Newsroom
With the launch of BBC2 on 20 April 1964, a new program called Newsroom was introduced.
October 1965: World at One Debuts
The World at One, a lunchtime news program, premiered on 4 October 1965, on the then Home Service (soon to become Radio 4).
September 1967: World This Weekend Launches
On Sunday, 17 September 1967, The World This Weekend, a weekly news and current affairs program, was launched on the Home Service (soon to be Radio 4).
1967: Preparation for Color
Preparations for color broadcasting began in the autumn of 1967.
March 1968: Newsroom in Color
On Thursday, 7 March 1968, Newsroom on BBC2 moved to an early evening slot, becoming the first UK news program to be broadcast in color. It was broadcasted from Studio A at Alexandra Palace. Shortly after, News Review and Westminster, a weekly review of parliamentary events, also transitioned to color.
September 1969: Nationwide Replaces Town and Around
In early September 1969, Nationwide began replacing Town and Around, the London regional opt-out program, from Tuesday to Thursday. Nationwide was broadcasted from Lime Grove Studios. Town and Around, never moving to Television Centre, was transformed into London This Week, airing only on Mondays and Fridays from the new TVC studios.
1969: BBC Moves to Television Centre
The BBC relocated its production from Alexandra Palace in 1969. The following day, BBC Television News restarted operations with a lunchtime bulletin on BBC1, still in black and white, from Television Centre.
September 1970: First Nine O'Clock News
The first Nine O'Clock News was broadcast on 14 September 1970. Robert Dougall presented the first week from studio N1. The bulletin was moved from its earlier time of 20.50 in response to the ratings success of ITN's News at Ten, which had been introduced three years prior on the rival network ITV. Richard Baker and Kenneth Kendall presented subsequent weeks, similar to the first television bulletins of the mid-1950s.
April 1972: Newsround Premieres
The first edition of John Craven's Newsround, initially planned as a short series and later shortened to Newsround, aired from studio N3 on 4 April 1972.
September 1973: Launch of Newsbeat
Newsbeat, the news service for Radio 1, was launched on September 10, 1973.
September 1974: Ceefax Launch
On September 23, 1974, a teletext service known as Ceefax was launched. This provided text-based news and information on television screens, initially designed for deaf viewers. It later expanded to include weather, flight times, and film reviews.
1975: Angela Rippon Becomes First Female Nine O'Clock News Presenter
Angela Rippon became the first woman to present the Nine O'Clock News in 1975.
1976: Angela Rippon's Controversial Appearance
In 1976, Angela Rippon's appearance on The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show, where she sang and danced, sparked controversy.
January 1980: Newsnight Launch Postponed
Newsnight was scheduled to launch on January 23, 1980, but trade union disputes caused a one-week delay from its planned Lime Grove studio.
1980: Launch of Newsnight
In 1980, a new news and current affairs program called Newsnight was launched, differing from a short-lived program with the same name on BBC2 in the mid-1970s.
1980: Iranian Embassy Siege Coverage
The BBC Television News Outside broadcasting team filmed the Iranian Embassy Siege electronically in 1980. Reporter Kate Adie's live coverage from Prince's Gate was nominated for a BAFTA actuality coverage award.
August 1981: Moira Stuart Becomes First African Caribbean Female Newsreader
On August 27, 1981, Moira Stuart became the first African Caribbean woman to read the news on British television.
1981: New Electronic Titles and Theme for News Bulletins
Beginning in 1981, the BBC unified its main news bulletins with new electronic titles and theme music. The visuals included computer-animated stripes forming a circle on a red background, accompanied by the "BBC News" typescript below. The theme tune featured brass and keyboard elements.
1981: End of News Review and Rise of See Hear
News Review continued until the 1980s, eventually utilizing electronic captions (Anchor) before being replaced by Ceefax subtitling (a Teletext format) and the introduction of programs like See Hear (from 1981).
1982: Falklands War Coverage
In 1982, Bernard Hesketh used an Ikegami camera to cover the Falklands War, marking the first instance of BBC News using an electronic camera instead of film in a conflict zone. Hesketh's work earned him the "Royal Television Society Cameraman of the Year" award and a BAFTA nomination. BBC News also received a BAFTA for its coverage of the war.
1982: Accusations of BBC Bias During the Falklands War
During the Falklands War in 1982, an edition of Newsnight faced criticism from MP John Page, who deemed it "almost treasonable" due to presenter Peter Snow's statement: "if we believe the British." This incident exemplified accusations of bias against the BBC during times of conflict, with some suggesting the organization displayed excessive sympathy toward opposing viewpoints.
January 1983: Breakfast Time Launches
On January 17, 1983, Breakfast Time, the BBC's first breakfast television program, debuted from Lime Grove Studio E. It premiered two weeks before its ITV rival TV-am, and was hosted by Frank Bough, Selina Scott, and Nick Ross.
September 1984: Six O'Clock News Launches
The Six O'Clock News premiered on September 3, 1984, eventually becoming the most watched news program in the UK.
October 1984: Ethiopian Famine Coverage
In October 1984, Michael Buerk's reports on the Six O'Clock News showed images of millions suffering from starvation during the Ethiopian famine. The BBC News team was the first to document the famine. Buerk's October 23 report described it as a "biblical famine in the 20th century" and "the closest thing to hell on Earth".
1985: Red Background Replaced with Blue
In 1985, the red background in the news bulletins' visuals was replaced with blue.
1987: Bi-media Journalism Introduced
John Birt reintroduced the practice of correspondents working for both TV and radio in 1987. This was known as bi-media journalism.
1987: Blue Background Replaced
The blue background, introduced in 1985 for the news bulletins, was replaced in 1987.
1989: "Stripes" Introduction Continued
Until 1989, the "stripes" introduction from the previous branding was still used for news bulletins that aired outside of their regular schedule.
1993: Relaunch of BBC1 Bulletins with Virtual Set
In 1993, BBC1 bulletins were relaunched with a virtual set, created using new technology from Silicon Graphics, making the studio appear larger than its physical size. The relaunch also standardized the set design for all bulletins with minor variations in color, titles, and music. A computer-generated cut-glass sculpture of the BBC coat of arms was used as the centerpiece of the program titles until the large-scale rebranding in 1999.
1994: Rwandan Genocide
In 1994, Rwanda experienced a horrific genocide that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
1996: Individual Web Pages for Major News Events
Before the launch of a dedicated online news platform, the BBC created individual web pages for major news events like the 1996 Olympic Games, the 1997 general election, and the death of Princess Diana.
November 1997: BBC News Online Launches
BBC News Online was launched in November 1997 after individual web pages had been created for major news events like the 1996 Olympic Games, the 1997 general election, and the death of Princess Diana.
1997: BBC News 24 Launch
The domestic 24-hour news channel BBC News 24 launched in 1997. This followed the split of BBC World Service Television into BBC World (news and current affairs) and BBC Prime (light entertainment).
1998: BBC Radio News Moves to BBC Television Centre
After 66 years at Broadcasting House, BBC Radio News relocated to BBC Television Centre in 1998.
1999: Unified Style Across BBC News Platforms
Following the 1999 rebranding, BBC One bulletins, BBC World, BBC News 24, and BBC News Online all adopted a unified style. Notably, BBC regional news programmes gradually adopted the corporate image, creating a consistent look across local, national, and international BBC television news, including Newyddion, the Welsh-language news programme on S4C.
1999: Introduction of New Music and Branding for BBC News
In 1999, the BBC implemented a rebranding of its news programs, which included the introduction of new music composed by David Lowe and the "BBC Pips." This theme was utilized across bulletins on various BBC channels, including BBC One, News 24, BBC World, and local news programs.
1999: Large-Scale Rebranding
The news services underwent a significant rebranding in 1999.
2000: Changes to BBC One Bulletins and Nine O'Clock News
Following the 1999 relaunch, BBC One bulletins started including regional headlines in 2000. English regions lost five minutes from their bulletins to accommodate a new headline round-up at 18:55. The Nine O'Clock News shifted to 22:00 in response to ITN moving their News at Ten to 23:00.
2000: Appointment of Andrew Marr as BBC Political Editor
In 2000, Andrew Marr, former editor of the liberal-leaning newspaper The Independent, was appointed as the BBC's Political Editor. This appointment attracted criticism from individuals on the right of the political spectrum due to Marr's prior association with a publication perceived as having a liberal bias.
May 2001: BBC Correspondent's Conduct at Arafat's Funeral Raises Impartiality Concerns
A BBC correspondent's tearful reporting at Yasser Arafat's funeral in May 2001 raised concerns about impartiality, particularly in light of other instances where BBC journalists appeared to express personal opinions or allegiances.
January 2003: Changes in BBC One bulletin presenting team
In January 2003, following Peter Sissons' retirement and Michael Buerk's departure from the Ten O'Clock News, significant changes were made to the BBC One bulletin presenting team. Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce moved to present the Ten O'Clock News, while George Alagiah and Sophie Raworth began presenting the Six O'Clock News. A new set design featuring a projected fictional newsroom backdrop was introduced.
April 2003: ICM Poll Shows BBC Retains Trust Despite Hutton Report
Despite the criticism and resignations following the Hutton Report, an ICM poll in April 2003 showed that the BBC maintained its position as a trusted news provider.
July 2003: David Kelly Affair and Lord Hutton Inquiry
In July 2003, David Kelly, a government scientist, was identified as the source for a controversial BBC report alleging the British government had embellished intelligence on Iraq's weapons capabilities. Following intense media scrutiny, Kelly was found dead by suicide, prompting the British government to initiate an inquiry led by Lord Hutton. The inquiry concluded that Kelly had taken his own life but also raised concerns about the BBC's editorial processes and the government's handling of the affair.
December 2003: New style of presentation for BBC News 24 and BBC World
In December 2003, BBC News 24 and BBC World introduced a new style of presentation. This style was slightly altered on July 5, 2004, to mark 50 years of BBC Television News.
2003: Study of BBC's Coverage of the Iraq War
Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a study conducted by the Cardiff University School of Journalism examined the BBC's reporting of the conflict. The study revealed that the BBC heavily relied on the British government and military as its primary sources of information, while less frequently utilizing independent sources such as the Red Cross. The study's findings indicated that the BBC's coverage was more aligned with the government's perspective than exhibiting an anti-war stance.
2003: Controversy Surrounding BBC News Reports on Iraq War
In 2003, BBC News found itself at the center of a political controversy following the broadcast of three reports that alleged the British government had exaggerated Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities in the September Dossier. These reports, aired on Today, The Ten O'Clock News, and Newsnight, cited an anonymous source and sparked a heated debate about the accuracy and integrity of the BBC's reporting.
January 2004: Hutton Report Criticizes BBC
The Hutton Report, published in January 2004, concluded that journalist Andrew Gilligan's accusations against the government were "unfounded" and criticized the BBC's editorial and management processes. The report led to the resignation of the BBC's chairman and director general.
July 2004: Alteration of presentation style
On July 5, 2004, the presentation style introduced in December 2003 for BBC News 24 and BBC World was slightly altered to celebrate 50 years of BBC Television News.
August 2005: Allegations of BBC Bias
On August 3, 2005, The Daily Telegraph published a letter from former KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky, in which he referred to the BBC as "The Red Service," highlighting ongoing accusations of political bias directed at the organization.
August 2005: Concerns Raised about Scope of Independent Inquiry into BBC's Israel-Palestine Coverage
Some critics, including Martin Walker, argued that the independent inquiry into the BBC's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, conducted between August 2005 and January 2006, was flawed because it focused on a period with unusually positive coverage and excluded the BBC World Service.
November 2005: New daytime editor position
In November 2005, the individual positions of editor of the One and Six O'Clock News were replaced by a new daytime editor position. Kevin Bakhurst became the first Controller of BBC News 24, and Amanda Farnsworth became the daytime editor. Craig Oliver was later named editor of the Ten O'Clock News. The bulletins also began to be simulcast with News 24 to pool resources.
January 2006: Concerns Raised about Scope of Independent Inquiry into BBC's Israel-Palestine Coverage
Some critics, including Martin Walker, argued that the independent inquiry into the BBC's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, conducted between August 2005 and January 2006, was flawed because it focused on a period with unusually positive coverage and excluded the BBC World Service.
May 2006: New titles and set design for bulletins
In May 2006, BBC News bulletins received new titles and a new set design, allowing the Breakfast show to move into the main studio for the first time since 1997. The new set featured Barco videowall screens with a background of the London skyline for main bulletins and initially cirrus clouds against a blue sky for Breakfast. Viewer criticism later led to changes. May also saw the launch of World News Today, the first domestic bulletin focused on international news.
November 2006: BBC News becomes part of BBC Journalism group
In November 2006, BBC News became part of a new BBC Journalism group as part of a restructuring effort. Helen Boaden, the then-Director of BBC News, reported to Mark Byford, the then-Deputy Director-General and head of the journalism group, until Byford's redundancy in 2010.
2006: BBC Persian Website Blocked in Iran
The BBC's Persian language news website was blocked from the Iranian internet in 2006.
2006: Independent Panel Reviews BBC's Coverage of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In 2006, an independent panel assessed the BBC's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, finding that while there was no systematic bias, the coverage was not always complete and could be misleading.
January 2007: Introduction of new graphics and video playout system
In January 2007, BBC News introduced a new graphics and video playout system for television bulletins. This coincided with a new structure for BBC World News bulletins, with editors favoring a section devoted to analyzing the news stories reported.
September 2007: BBC Banned in Burma After Covering Anti-Government Protests
The Burmese government banned the BBC in September 2007 following its coverage of anti-government protests. The ban was lifted four years later.
October 2007: Mark Thompson announces Delivering Creative Future plan
On October 18, 2007, Mark Thompson announced the Delivering Creative Future plan, a six-year strategy to merge the television current affairs department into a new 'News Programmes' division. The plan was a response to a £2 billion funding shortfall and aimed to create 'a smaller but fitter BBC' in the digital age.
March 2008: Launch of BBC Arabic Television
On March 11, 2008, the BBC launched its Arabic-language television news channel, broadcasting from the Peel wing of Broadcasting House. This channel features news, analysis, interviews, sports, and cultural programming, and it is run by the BBC World Service with funding from the British Foreign Office.
April 2008: Renaming of bulletins and BBC News 24
In April 2008, as part of a cost-cutting program, bulletins were renamed the BBC News at One, Six, and Ten, respectively. BBC News 24 was renamed BBC News and moved into the same studio as the bulletins at BBC Television Centre. BBC World was renamed BBC World News, and regional news programs were updated with a new presentation style designed by Lambie-Nairn.
November 2008: Criticism of BBC Hindi's Coverage of the Mumbai Attacks
In November 2008, BBC Hindi faced criticism from Indian media outlets for its use of the term "gunmen" to describe the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. This choice of language sparked accusations of an Indophobic bias within the BBC.
2008: BBC Allowed Back in Zimbabwe After Eight-Year Ban
After an eight-year ban under Mugabe's regime, the BBC was permitted to operate again in Zimbabwe in 2008, over a year after the national elections.
2008: BBC Criticized for Not Airing Aid Appeal for Palestinians in Gaza
The BBC faced criticism in 2008 for not broadcasting a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Palestinians affected by the war in Gaza, while most other UK broadcasters did.
January 2009: Launch of BBC Persian Television
On January 14, 2009, the BBC launched its Persian-language television channel, also broadcasting from the Peel wing of Broadcasting House. Like its Arabic counterpart, this channel provides a range of programming, including news, analysis, interviews, sports, and cultural shows. It is managed by the BBC World Service and receives funding from the British Foreign Office.
2009: BBC Criticized for Not Airing Aid Appeal for Palestinians in Gaza
The BBC faced criticism in 2009 for not broadcasting a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Palestinians affected by the war in Gaza, while most other UK broadcasters did.
March 2010: BBC strategy review confirms key editorial policies
In March 2010, a strategy review of the BBC confirmed that 'the best journalism in the world' would form one of five key editorial policies. These changes were subject to public consultation and BBC Trust approval.
2010: Launch of Mobile Apps for BBC News
Beginning in 2010, the BBC started providing mobile applications for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone platforms, making it easier for users to access news content on their smartphones.
September 2011: BBC Ban in Burma Lifted
In September 2011, the Burmese government lifted the ban on the BBC that was imposed in 2007.
August 2012: Move of news operations to Broadcasting House
From August 2012 to March 2013, all news operations moved from Television Centre to new facilities in the refurbished Broadcasting House in Portland Place. The move began with the domestic programme The Andrew Marr Show on September 2, 2012, and concluded with the BBC News channel and domestic news bulletins on March 18, 2013.
September 2012: The Andrew Marr Show moves to Broadcasting House
On September 2, 2012, The Andrew Marr Show became the first domestic program to move to the refurbished Broadcasting House, marking the start of the relocation of all news operations.
October 2012: Start of news operations move to Broadcasting House
In October 2012, the move of all news operations from Television Centre to Broadcasting House began. This included the BBC World Service, which moved from Bush House following the expiry of the BBC's lease.
October 2012: Ceefax Ceases
On October 23, 2012, the Ceefax service was discontinued after 38 years of operation.
2012: End of Ceefax
In 2012, the BBC discontinued its Ceefax teletext service, which had previously provided news and information to viewers.
March 2013: BBC Television News Moves to Broadcasting House
In March 2013, BBC Television News moved from Television Centre, where it had been located since 1969, to Broadcasting House.
March 2013: Completion of move to Broadcasting House
On March 18, 2013, the move of all news operations from Television Centre to Broadcasting House was completed. This included the BBC World Service and various domestic and international news programs.
March 2013: Latest Update to BBC News Music
The theme music for BBC television news programs, introduced in 1999 and composed by David Lowe, underwent its latest update in March 2013.
April 2013: James Harding named Director of News and Current Affairs
On April 16, 2013, incoming BBC Director-General Tony Hall named James Harding, a former editor of The Times of London newspaper, as Director of News and Current Affairs. This followed the suspension and eventual departure of Helen Boaden as Director of BBC News in late 2012.
2013: Sale of Television Centre
In 2013, as part of the Delivering Creative Future plan announced in October 2007, the BBC sold its Television Centre. This move was in response to a funding shortfall and aimed to streamline operations.
October 2014: BBC Airs Controversial Documentary on Rwandan Genocide
In October 2014, the BBC broadcast "Rwanda's Untold Story," a documentary that sparked controversy and hurt feelings in Rwanda due to its content regarding the 1994 genocide.
March 2015: Criticism of BBC Storyville Documentary "India's Daughter"
In March 2015, the BBC drew criticism for a BBC Storyville documentary that included an interview with one of the perpetrators of the 2012 Delhi gang rape. Despite a ban issued by the Indian High Court, the BBC proceeded to air the documentary, titled "India's Daughter," outside of India, further fueling accusations of insensitivity and bias against the organization.
June 2015: Rwanda Bans BBC Broadcasts over Genocide Documentary
Rwanda imposed an indefinite ban on BBC broadcasts in June 2015 following the airing of a controversial documentary, "Rwanda's Untold Story," about the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
2016: Allegations of BBC Bias Regarding Brexit
In the aftermath of the 2016 EU referendum, the BBC faced criticism and accusations of bias from individuals who perceived the organization's coverage as either favoring or opposing the UK's decision to leave the EU.
February 2017: BBC Reporters Denied Access to White House Briefing
In February 2017, reporters from the BBC, along with several other news organizations, were denied access to a White House press briefing.
April 2017: BBC Drops Associated Press for Enhanced AFP Service
In April 2017, the BBC decided to discontinue its subscription to the Associated Press and opted for an enhanced service from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
2017: India Bans BBC from National Parks and Sanctuaries
In 2017, the Indian government imposed a five-year ban on the BBC from covering any national parks and sanctuaries within the country.
April 2018: BBC News Spending
Between April 2018 and March 2019, the BBC spent £136m on its news divisions, including domestic, global, and online news, according to an Ofcom report.
2018: Complaints Regarding BBC Coverage of Brexit-Related Events
In 2018, the BBC received complaints from viewers who felt that the organization was not providing adequate coverage of anti-Brexit marches while giving disproportionate airtime to smaller events hosted by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage. These complaints reflected ongoing concerns about the BBC's perceived bias in its coverage of Brexit-related issues.
March 2019: BBC News Spending
Between April 2018 and March 2019, the BBC spent £136m on its news divisions, including domestic, global, and online news, according to an Ofcom report.
October 2019: BBC News Online Launches Mirror on the Dark Web
In October 2019, BBC News Online established a mirror site on the Tor network, a dark web anonymity network, with the aim of circumventing censorship and making its content accessible to users in regions where access to information may be restricted.
January 2020: BBC News announces savings target
In January 2020, the BBC announced a BBC News savings target of £80 million per year by 2022, involving about 450 staff reductions from the current 6,000. Director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth said the move would involve further shifts toward digital broadcasting and more pooling of reporters.
July 2020: Further staff reductions announced
In July 2020, the BBC announced a further 70 staff reductions as part of its efforts to meet a savings target of £80 million per year by 2022.
September 2022: Deborah Turness becomes CEO
In September 2022, Deborah Turness was appointed CEO of news and current affairs at the BBC.
November 2023: BBC News joins 'Cyprus Confidential' report
In November 2023, BBC News joined the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Paper Trail Media, and 69 other media partners to produce the 'Cyprus Confidential' report. The report uncovered a financial network supporting Vladimir Putin's regime, mostly with connections to Cyprus. Government officials, including Cyprus president Nikos Christodoulides, began responding to the investigation's findings within 24 hours, calling for reforms and launching probes.