History of BBC News in Timeline
BBC News is the largest broadcast news organization globally, a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It produces approximately 120 hours of radio, television, and online news content daily, employing over 5,500 journalists. The organization operates with 50 foreign news bureaus and over 250 foreign correspondents. Deborah Turness has been the CEO of news and current affairs since September 2022, leading the extensive news gathering and broadcasting operations in the UK and worldwide.
November 1922: First radio bulletin broadcast
In November 1922, the British Broadcasting Company broadcast its first radio bulletin from radio station 2LO.
1936: Cinema newsreels broadcast on TV
In 1936, Gaumont British and Movietone cinema newsreels had been broadcast on the TV service.
1946: Radio news simulcast on television
In 1946, the BBC network began simulcasting its radio news on television with a still picture of Big Ben.
January 1948: Television Newsreel programme introduced
In January 1948, the BBC started producing its own Television Newsreel programme.
April 1950: Children's Newsreel inaugurated
On April 23, 1950, a weekly Children's Newsreel was inaugurated to around 350,000 receivers.
1950: Mainstream television production moves out of Alexandra Palace
In 1950, Mainstream television production had started to move out of Alexandra Palace.
1951: Newsreel Review of the Week produced
From 1951, the Newsreel Review of the Week was produced to open programming on Sunday evenings.
November 1953: Panorama transmitted
On November 11, 1953, the first Panorama, a new documentary programme, was transmitted.
1953: Elizabeth II's coronation
In 1953, the public's interest in television and live events was stimulated by Elizabeth II's coronation.
July 1954: Televised bulletins begin
On July 5, 1954, Televised bulletins began broadcasting from leased studios within Alexandra Palace in London.
July 1954: First televised bulletin
On July 5, 1954, the first televised bulletin was shown on the then BBC television service and presented by Richard Baker.
September 1955: On-screen newsreaders introduced
In September 1955, on-screen newsreaders were introduced, including Kenneth Kendall, Robert Dougall, and Richard Baker.
1955: TV licenses increase
By 1955, there were around four and a half million TV Licences held in the UK.
1955: Richard Dimbleby becomes Panorama anchor
In 1955, Richard Dimbleby became the anchor of Panorama.
January 1960: Greene becomes Director-General
On January 1, 1960, Hugh Carleton Greene became Director-General and made changes to reporting to be similar to competitor ITN.
June 1960: First female BBC network newsreader
On June 20, 1960, Nan Winton, the first female BBC network newsreader, appeared in vision.
September 1960: The Ten O'clock News begins
On September 19, 1960, the radio news and current affairs programme 'The Ten O'clock News' started.
April 1964: News Review starts
In April 1964, News Review started on television.
April 1964: BBC2 starts transmission and broadcasts Newsroom
On April 20, 1964, BBC2 started transmission and began broadcasting a new show, Newsroom.
October 1965: The World at One begins
On October 4, 1965, The World at One, a lunchtime news programme, began on the then Home Service.
September 1967: The World This Weekend launches
On Sunday, September 17, 1967, 'The World This Weekend' launched on what was then the Home Service.
1967: Preparations for colour
In the autumn of 1967, preparations for colour began.
March 1968: Newsroom in colour
On Thursday, March 7, 1968, Newsroom on BBC2 became the first UK news programme to be transmitted in colour.
September 1969: Nationwide replaces Town and Around
In early September 1969, Nationwide started to replace Town and Around on Tuesday to Thursday from Lime Grove Studios.
1969: Production moves out of Alexandra Palace
In 1969, the BBC moved production out of Alexandra Palace.
September 1970: First Nine O'Clock News broadcast
On September 14, 1970, the first Nine O'Clock News was broadcast on television, presented by Robert Dougall from studio N1.
April 1972: John Craven's Newsround first edition
On April 4, 1972, the first edition of John Craven's Newsround was broadcast from studio N3.
September 1973: Newsbeat launched on Radio 1
On September 10, 1973, Newsbeat launched as the news service on Radio 1.
September 1974: Teletext system launched
On September 23, 1974, a teletext system was launched to bring news content on television screens using text only.
1975: Angela Rippon becomes first female news presenter
In 1975, Angela Rippon became the first female news presenter of the Nine O'Clock News.
1976: Angela Rippon appears on The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show
In 1976, Angela Rippon appeared on The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show singing and dancing.
January 1980: Newsnight launch postponed
In January 1980, the launch of Newsnight from Lime Grove was postponed by a week due to trade union disagreements.
1980: Iranian Embassy Siege coverage
In 1980, the Iranian Embassy Siege was shot electronically by the BBC Television News Outside broadcasting team.
August 1981: Moira Stuart becomes first African Caribbean female newsreader
On August 27, 1981, Moira Stuart became the first African Caribbean female newsreader to appear on British television.
1981: See Hear begins
From 1981, the BBC began the signing of programmes such as See Hear.
1981: New electronic titles introduced
Starting in 1981, the BBC gave a common theme to its main news bulletins with new electronic titles, which included a set of computer-animated "stripes" forming a circle on a red background.
1982: Falklands War Coverage
In 1982, Bernard Hesketh used an Ikegami camera to cover the Falklands War, coverage for which he won the "Royal Television Society Cameraman of the Year" award and a BAFTA nomination.
1982: Falklands War Newsnight edition
In 1982, during the Falklands War, an edition of Newsnight was described as "almost treasonable" by John Page, MP, due to perceived sympathy towards the enemy.
January 1983: Breakfast Time launched
On January 17, 1983, the first BBC breakfast television programme, Breakfast Time, launched from Lime Grove Studio E.
September 1984: The Six O'Clock News first aired
On September 3, 1984, The Six O'Clock News first aired.
October 1984: Ethiopian famine coverage
In October 1984, images of millions of people starving to death in the Ethiopian famine were shown in Michael Buerk's Six O'Clock News reports.
July 1985: Live Aid concert
In July 1985, Bob Geldof organised the Live Aid concert to raise money for famine relief.
1985: Red background replaced by blue
From 1985 until 1987, the red background of the electronic titles was replaced by a blue.
1987: Re-branding of bulletins
By 1987, the BBC had decided to re-brand its bulletins and established individual styles again for each one with differing titles and music.
1987: Introduction of bi-media journalism
In 1987, John Birt brought back the practice of correspondents working for both TV and radio by introducing bi-media journalism.
1987: Red background replaced by blue
The red background of the electronic titles was blue from 1985 until 1987.
1989: "Stripes" introduction discontinued
The "stripes" introduction continued to be used until 1989 on occasions where a news bulletin was screened out of the running order of the schedule.
1996: Individual webpages for major news events
In 1996, BBC News launched individual webpages for major news events such as the Olympic Games.
1997: Breakfast in main studio since 1997
In May 2006, bulletins received new titles and a new set design, to allow for Breakfast to move into the main studio for the first time since 1997.
1998: BBC Radio News operation moved to BBC Television Centre
In 1998, after 66 years at Broadcasting House, the BBC Radio News operation relocated to BBC Television Centre.
1999: Corporate rebranding of news services
In 1999, there was a large scale corporate rebranding of BBC news services.
1999: David Lowe Composed BBC News Programs Music
The music on all BBC television news programs was introduced in 1999 and composed by David Lowe. It was part of the re-branding which commenced in 1999 and features 'BBC Pips'.
2000: Andrew Marr appointment
In 2000, Andrew Marr's appointment as Political Editor of the BBC drew criticism from the right due to his prior role as editor of The Independent, a liberal-leaning newspaper.
May 2001: Criticism of BBC Correspondent's impartiality
In May 2001, questions of impartiality arose after a BBC correspondent reported with tears in her eyes at Yassir Arafat's funeral and after Fayad Abu Shamala, the BBC Arabic Service correspondent, told a Hamas rally that journalists in Gaza were "waging the campaign shoulder to shoulder together with the Palestinian people".
January 2003: Changes in BBC One bulletin presenting team
On 20 January 2003, the retirement of Peter Sissons and departure of Michael Buerk led to changes in the BBC One bulletin presenting team.
April 2003: ICM poll on news providers
In April 2003, an ICM poll indicated that the BBC had sustained its position as the best and most trusted provider of news.
July 2003: David Kelly named as source and death
On 9 July 2003, David Kelly was named as the source for Gilligan's story. Kelly was found dead, by suicide, in a field close to his home early on 18 July.
January 2004: Hutton Report findings
On 28 January 2004, Lord Hutton's report concluded that Andrew Gilligan's accusation was "unfounded" and the BBC's editorial and management processes were "defective".
July 2004: Slight alteration to style of presentation
On 5 July 2004, the style of presentation was slightly altered to mark 50 years of BBC Television News.
August 2005: Time period of the BBC inquiry
In August 2005, Martin Walker argued that the independent inquiry was flawed for two reasons. Firstly, because the time period over which it was conducted (August 2005 to January 2006) surrounded the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Ariel Sharon's stroke, which produced more positive coverage than usual.
August 2005: KGB defector criticism
In August 2005, The Daily Telegraph published a letter from KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky, referring to the BBC as "The Red Service", adding to the debate about the BBC's political objectivity.
January 2006: Time period of the BBC inquiry
In January 2006, Martin Walker argued that the independent inquiry was flawed for two reasons. Firstly, because the time period over which it was conducted (August 2005 to January 2006) surrounded the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Ariel Sharon's stroke, which produced more positive coverage than usual.
May 2006: New titles and set design for bulletins
In May 2006, bulletins received new titles and a new set design, and World News Today was launched.
2006: Website blocked in Iran
In 2006, BBC Persian, the BBC's Persian language news site, was blocked from the Iranian internet.
2006: Independent panel on coverage of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
In 2006, an independent panel appointed by the BBC Trust reviewed the impartiality of the BBC's coverage of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, finding no systematic bias but noting incomplete reporting.
January 2007: Introduction of new graphics and video playout system
In January 2007, a new graphics and video playout system was introduced for production of television bulletins.
October 2007: Announcement of Delivering Creative Future plan
On 18 October 2007, Mark Thompson announced the Delivering Creative Future plan, merging the television current affairs department into a new "News Programmes" division.
December 2007: Broadcast of new BBC News bulletin
Since December 2007, a 90-second summary has been broadcast at 20:00 on weekdays.
January 2008: ITN's bulletin moved to 22:30
ITN remained at the 22:30 timeslot with its bulletin until 14 January 2008.
March 2008: Launch of BBC Arabic Television
On 11 March 2008, the BBC Arabic Television news channel launched.
April 2008: Renaming of bulletins and news channels
In April 2008, bulletins were renamed the BBC News at One, Six and Ten respectively while 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 programmes were also updated with the new presentation style.
2008: Criticism for Mumbai attacks coverage
In 2008, BBC Hindi was criticized by some Indian outlets for referring to the terrorists who carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks as "gunmen".
2008: Aid Appeal
In 2008, the BBC faced criticism for not airing a Disasters Emergency Committee aid appeal for Palestinians who suffered in Gaza during the war there between late 2008 and early 2009.
2008: Zimbabwe ban lifted
In 2008, the BBC was allowed to operate again in Zimbabwe over a year after the 2008 elections, ending an eight-year ban under Mugabe.
2008: Introduction of tri-media
In 2008, tri-media was introduced across TV, radio, and online.
January 2009: Launch of BBC Persian-language Channel
On 14 January 2009, a Persian-language channel was launched.
June 2009: BBC's UK local elections and European elections coverage
In early June 2009, Studio N9 was used for the BBC's UK local elections and European elections coverage.
2009: Retirement of Peter Sissons
2009: Aid Appeal
In 2009, the BBC faced criticism for not airing a Disasters Emergency Committee aid appeal for Palestinians who suffered in Gaza during the war there between late 2008 and early 2009.
March 2010: Strategy review of the BBC
In March 2010, a strategy review of the BBC confirmed that having "the best journalism in the world" would form one of five key editorial policies.
2010: Mark Byford made redundant
In 2010, Mark Byford, the then-Deputy Director-General and head of the journalism group, was made redundant.
2010: Mobile apps provided since 2010
Mobile apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone systems have been provided since 2010.
August 2012: News operations moved from Television Centre
From August 2012 to March 2013, all news operations moved from Television Centre to new facilities in Broadcasting House.
September 2012: The Andrew Marr Show moved to Broadcasting House
On 2 September 2012, The Andrew Marr Show was the first domestic programme to move to Broadcasting House.
October 2012: Start of move to Broadcasting House
In October 2012, the move of news operations from Television Centre to Broadcasting House began.
October 2012: Ceefax service ceased
On October 23, 2012, the Ceefax service ceased operations after providing subtitling and other information services.
March 2013: BBC News remained at Television Centre until March 2013
BBC Television News resumed operations the next day with a lunchtime bulletin on BBC1 – in black and white – from Television Centre, where it remained until March 2013.
March 2013: Latest change to theme
The music on all BBC television news programmes was introduced in 1999 and composed by David Lowe. The theme has had several changes since 1999, the latest in March 2013.
2013: Selling Television Centre
Mark Thompson's announcement included cutting its payroll and, in 2013, selling Television Centre.
October 2014: BBC2 airs controversial documentary
On 1 October 2014, BBC2 broadcast a controversial documentary regarding the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Rwanda's Untold Story.
June 2015: Indefinite ban on BBC broadcasts in Rwanda
In June 2015, the Rwandan government placed an indefinite ban on BBC broadcasts following the airing of a controversial documentary regarding the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
2016: EU Referendum Bias Accusations
Following the EU referendum in 2016, some critics suggested that the BBC was biased in favour of leaving the EU.
February 2017: Denied access to White House Briefing
In February 2017, reporters from the BBC were denied access to a United States White House briefing.
April 2017: AFP Service enhancement
In April 2017, the BBC dropped Associated Press in favor of an enhanced service from AFP.
April 2018: Ofcom Report: BBC spent £136m on news
In April 2018, an Ofcom report stated that the BBC spent £136m on news between April 2018 and March 2019.
2018: Complaints about Brexit coverage
In 2018, the BBC received complaints regarding its coverage of anti-Brexit marches and events hosted by Nigel Farage.
March 2019: Ofcom Report: BBC spent £136m on news
In March 2019, an Ofcom report stated that the BBC spent £136m on news between April 2018 and March 2019.
July 2020: Further staff reductions announced
A further 70 staff reductions were announced in July 2020.
February 2022: BBC Three began airing The Catch Up
In February 2022, BBC Three began airing the news programme The Catch Up.
November 2023: 'Cyprus Confidential' report
In November 2023, BBC News joined with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and other media partners to produce the 'Cyprus Confidential' report on the financial network which supports the regime of Vladimir Putin.
