Learn more about what we do
Everything you need to know about the workings of the BBC
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The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster
We’re impartial and independent, and every day we create distinctive, world-class programmes and content which inform, educate and entertain millions of people in the UK and around the world.
We do this across:
- A portfolio of television services, including the UK’s most-watched channel BBC One, the pioneering online-only youth service BBC Three, and our multi award-winning channels for children, as well as national and regional television programmes and services across England. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- Ten UK-wide radio networks, providing the best live music broadcasting in the UK, as well as speech radio which informs, educates and entertains. We also have two national radio services each in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and 39 local radio stations across England and the Channel Islands, providing an invaluable and unique service to listeners across the UK
- Our digital services including BBC News, Sport, Weather CBBC and CBeebies, iPlayer and BBC Sounds, BBC Red Button and our vast archive
- BBC World Service television, radio and online on more than 40 languages
Established by a Royal Charter, the BBC is principally funded through the licence fee paid by UK households. Our role is to fulfil our mission and promote our Public Purposes.
Our commercial operations including BBC Studios, the BBC’s award-winning production company and world-class distributor, provide additional revenue for investment in new programming and services for UK audiences.
The BBC’s Board ensures that we deliver our mission and public purposes which are set out in the Charter. The Executive Committee is responsible for day-to-day management. We are regulated by Ofcom.
What we do
- UK public servicesWe provide a wide range of programmes, content and services on television, radio and online for audiences across the UK
- Global news servicesBBC World Service television, radio and online is available in more than 40 languages
- Commercial servicesOur commercial operations generate income to invest in new programmes and content
Who we are
- BBC BoardThe Board ensures that the BBC delivers its mission and public purposes
- Executive CommitteeThe Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of the BBC
- Commercial Holdings BoardThe Commercial Holdings Board is responsible for the governance, assurance and oversight of the BBC’s commercial subsidiaries
- Senior staffFind out more about the BBC’s senior leaders including their roles and pay
Governance and regulation
- Charter and AgreementThe Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC
- Mission, values and public purposesOur mission and public purposes are the foundation for everything that we do
- Licence fee and fundingFind out how we are funded - and how that money is spent
- RegulationWe are regulated by Ofcom. It issues an operational framework and sets a licence which contains the regulatory conditions we are required to meet.
- Audit arrangementsThe Comptroller and Auditor General, supported by the National Audit Office, is our external auditor
- BBC/S4C strategic agreementHow we will work with S4C to deliver services for the benefit of Welsh-speaking audiences
- ComplaintsHow to complain to the BBC and how we handle complaints
Reports and policies
- Annual report and accountsOur assessment of the BBC’s performance over the last 12 months
- Annual planOur strategic plans for the year ahead
- Policies and guidelinesOur policies and guidelines are important in ensuring we deliver our mission and public purposes
- ReportsOur most recent publications
- ConsultationsHow you can give your views about our services and future strategy
- External events registerThe BBC publishes a summary of the external events register for on-air staff in journalism and senior leaders, as part of the BBC’s renewed commitment to impartiality
Across the UK
- BBC Cymru WalesFor TV, radio and digital audiences across Wales and the UK
- BBC ScotlandMaking programmes for Scotland and the UK
- BBC Northern IrelandAbout BBC Northern Ireland