Nicholas' Media Blog: BBC Research Task (Half Term Homework)

1. How old is the BBC?

2. Who is Lord Reith and what connection does he have with the BBC?

John Reith (1889-1971) was the founder of the BBC. He was its first general manager when it was set up as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922; and he was its first director general when it became a public corporation in 1927. He created both the templates for public service broadcasting in Britain; and for the arms-length public corporations that were to follow, especially after World War Two. Reith fought off the politicians' attempts to influence the BBC, while offering the British people programmes to educate, inform and entertain.
But in a working life that stretched over 60 years, Reith was at the BBC only 16. This is the story of a towering figure – physically as well as metaphorically - who was never satisfied with life and who said 'What I was capable of compared with what I've achieved is pitiable.'
"Being a son of the manse I was made a good deal of, but I had no friends of my own" - John Reith

3. When did it start broadcasting Radio 1?

BBC Radio 1 started broadcasting on the 30th September 1967 in the United Kingdom, making it 51 years old.

4. What are the BBC's five Public Purposes, as set out in the Royal Charter?

To provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them - The BBC will provide accurate and impartial news, current affairs and factual programming of the highest editorial standards so that all audiences can engage fully with issues across the UK and the world.
To support learning for people of all ages - Educational content will help support learning for children and teenagers across the UK, whilst audiences will be encouraged to explore inspiring and challenging new subjects and activities through a range of partnerships.
To show the most creative, highest quality and distinctive output and services - Innovative content covering many different genres will be provided across a range of services and platforms, setting the standard both in the UK and globally.
To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom’s nations and regions and, in doing so, support the creative economy across the United Kingdom - The lives of the people in the United Kingdom today will be accurately and authentically portrayed in the BBC’s output and services to raise awareness of different cultures, contribute to social cohesion and invest in the development of each nation’s creative economy.
To reflect the United Kingdom, its culture and values to the world - High quality, accurate, impartial news coverage will be delivered to international audiences, aiding understanding of the UK as a whole.

5. What is the BBC's Mission?

To enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain.

6. What is the BBC's Vision?

7. What are the BBC's Values?

Trust is the foundation of the BBC: we are independent, impartial and honest.
Audiences are at the heart of everything we do.
We take pride in delivering quality and value for money.
Creativity is the lifeblood of our organisation.
We respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone can give their best.
We are one BBC: great things happen when we work together.

8. What does the licence fee cover?

Over 90% of the licence fee is spent on BBC TV channels, radio stations, BBC iPlayer and online services.

9. How is the BBC regulated? How long as this body regulated the BBC and who regulated it before?

The BBC is regulated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the European Commission, and Ofcom. Ofcom also regulates some other aspects of the BBC, for example, the BBC is covered by Ofcom's Fairness Code.
Ofcom is the UK’s communications regulator. Our relationship with Ofcom is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding.
Ofcom started regulating the BBC on the 3rd April 2017 and it became BBC's first external regulator.

Nicholas' Media Blog