The document details the history and structure of the BBC, which started as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922 and established itself as a public service broadcaster by 1927. It operates under a royal charter and is committed to informing, educating, and entertaining the public through various platforms, including television, radio, and online services. The BBC is funded primarily through a television license fee and generates additional income through merchandising and format sales while adhering to regulatory standards set by Ofcom.

1. Task 5 - The BBC
Units 25 & 26
By Millie West

2. The BBC’s History
The BBC’s journey began back in 1922, when a group of leading wireless manufacturers formed what was
known as The British Broadcasting Company. After numerous amateur stations, the BBC started its first
daily radio service in London. News was supplied by an agency, and music drama and 'talks' filled the
airwaves for only a few hours a day, yet it wasn't long before radio could be heard across the nation.
Thirty-three year old John Charles Walsham Reith became General Manager of the BBC on 14 December
1922. There were no rules, standards or established purpose to guide him, yet he immediately began
innovating, experimenting and organising, and with the help of his newly appointed chief engineer, Peter
Eckersley, the service began to expand.
Shortly after the radio station became a phenomenon - in september of 1923, The Radio Times was
produced. This was a magazine that listed upcoming programmes and adverts. As the company became
increasingly popular, the BBC realised that official regulations needed to be set in place to ensure they
were producing consistent and professional media content. In 1927 the BBC is established by Royal Charter
as the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Charter defined the BBC’s objectives, powers and obligations
and so Director-Generals and senior staff were responsible for detailed fulfilment of that policy.

3. The BBC’s History
In November 1929, using BBC frequencies, John Logie Baird broadcast some of his first experimental
television broadcasts from studios near Covent Garden in London. Pictures were in black and white, were
created by mechanical means, and flickered. The broadcasts consisted of just 30 lines definition. Ever
since, the BBC has expanded, become increasingly popular and modernised.
The BBC was the first broadcaster in the world to provide a regular ‘high definition’ television service.
Programmes we would expect to see today such as drama, sport, outside broadcasts, and cartoons all
featured, but not for long. The outbreak of war in 1939 brought programmes to a sudden halt. The BBC was
soon used to as a form of propaganda, reporting live from battle scenes. After the introduction of an hour
dedicated to women on BBC programmes as well as such pieces of media appropriate for children, BBC
news was introduced. No longer was the radio the only form of news broadcast, television now produced
both fictional and non fictional programmes and did so too. Weather reports were soon aired and began to
be a constant feature in 1944. The first broadcast of Parliament gatherings were also aired in 1944, followed
by the complete introduction of colour media. Today, the BBC have a range of channels, many different
platforms including those online (BBC iPlayer) and better technology, bringing the public, relevant and
contemporary information.

4. What is the BBC? What do the they do?
The BBC are a public service broadcaster. They are set by the government to
produce content for the public and as mentioned, follow the royal charter which is
set by the BBC Trust.
The BBC produce content that acts in the public interests and follows three main
rules and objectives. These are, to inform, to entertain and to educate. Each piece
of media the BBC produces, be that film, television, radio or online synergy must
cover at least one of these objectives. The BBC produces live television, which
must act in the public interest and produce accurate facts, data and information.
Considering the BBC is a public service broadcaster which produced live television,
all those who want to watch, must pay a license fee - known as a TV licence. The
fee recently rose from £147 a year, to £150.50 a year (for a colour television and
£50.50 for black and white.)

5. The Royal Charter
The Royal Charter is a document and set of guidelines that the BBC must follow. The BBCs has five public
purposes that are set out by the Royal Charter and Agreement. These purposes outline the values the BBC
holds when striving to achieve its mission to inform, educate and entertain.
The main purpose is providing 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.
Another purpose includes supporting learning for people of all ages -
this means that the educational content supplied will help support learning,
especially 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 content.

6. The Royal Charter
Promoting and airing high quality and distinctive material / services is the another purpose of
the BBC’s Royal Charter. 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
ensure this happens. As a result, products and services could and should be easily
recognisable as being linked to the BBC and what it stands for.
The fourth purpose is to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the
United Kingdom’s nations and regions. This means that 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 and contribute to social cohesion.
Finally, the last purpose of the BBC stated in the Royal Charter is to reflect the United
Kingdom, its [British] culture and values to the world. In doing so, high quality, accurate,
impartial news coverage will be delivered to international audiences, aiding understanding of
the UK as a whole.

7. The BBC’s Ownership and Structure
Tony Hall - Lord Hall of Birkenhead - was appointed
Director-General of the BBC on 22 November 2012 and
is the 16th Director-General of the BBC. Hall, as Director
General has many roles and responsibilities which
include, being the Chief Executive Officer of the BBC
(CEO) as well as its Editor-in-Chief. As CEO, Hall makes
all of the major decisions for the company and so all
responsibilities lie in his hands. Tony Hall is the editorial,
operational and creative leader of the BBC, who as
mentioned has the responsibility for a global workforce
running services across television, radio and online, for
the world's oldest national broadcasting organisation.

8. The BBC’s Ownership and Structure
Sir David Clementi is the chairman for the BBC. As
Chairman of the Board, Sir David is responsible for
upholding and protecting the independence of the non
profit organisation. He is responsible for ensuring that
the BBC fulfils its mission to inform, educate and
entertain and promotes its public purposes that are
previously mentioned. Mr. Clementi also ensures that
the Board’s decision-making is in the public interest,
informed by the best interests of the audience and with
appropriate regard to the impact of decisions on the
wider media market in the UK. Sir David Clementi, also
ensures that the BBC maintains the highest standards
of corporate governance. Clementi was appointed as
Chairman of the BBC in February 2017.

9. The BBC’s Funding
The BBC receive funding from various sources and places. They receive the money that audiences who wish to see live
television pay for - licence fee money. Each year they receive approximately £3.7m from license fees alone and this figure
helps to contribute to the running on the BBC as a corporation. They also source their money from other places, such as
merchandise. Merchandise such as be bought online and in stores across the UK and examples include ‘Dr. Who’ lunchbox’s,
‘Teletubbies’ toys and ‘Mr. Tumble’ school bags and water bottles.
The BBC use various synergistic techniques, some of which produce items available for audience to purchase. Examples of
merchandise available include DVDs, lunchboxes and various toys from shows such as Dr, Who, Teletubbies and Mr. Tumble.
This again allows the company to profit and produce services for its audiences. More synergistic examples include ‘Sherlock
Holmes’ clothing items such as t-shirts and jumpers, ‘Top Gear’ mugs, pens, keyrings and car drone games as well as Citizen
Khan party masks.
Product placement is the process whereby a branded product is shown, mentioned or used in conjunction with a scene. A
character or host may identify a brand or product to advertise its presence. For a product to be placed inside of a shot or
scene, the brand owners must pay a fee, and only then will the product be advertised within the media text. Therefore this is
another way in which the BBC receives funding. A prime example of a television programme that does exactly this is
Eastenders. Eastenders incorporates the famous ‘Minute Mart, which obviously sells many items. Shopping items shown in
the shop are used as product placement to receive advertisement from the public. On the next slide you can see that
‘Lucozade’ and ‘Lilt’ were used as product placement.

11. The BBC’s Funding
A seemingly unusual, yet very common way that corporate companies make money is through the selling formats.
Selling and buying formats involves one company selling a complete show or format of a show to another company.
An example of this is BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, which has been sold (format) to more than 50 other countries.
‘The Office’ is an example of a television programme that was sold from the BBC to the US. The profits made from
the selling of formats brings the company more money and so they are then able to create more content. The BBC
also airs in continents such as America as BBC Worldwide - now part of a merged branch renamed BBC Studios. In
Britain, the BBC do not have or show any commercial adverts as they are not sponsored - they are instead a public
service available to all. However, outside of the UK, BBC Studios is a commercial business, meaning that the
finance structure is different. That is, it can make money from commercial activities.
As a result, in some countries within America, those places that do air the BBC and include sponsored adverts, they
(the BBC) receive the sponsorship money, that people pay to ensure they have their company or product
advertised. These world wide services help to further the BBC’s income and ensure that they have the money to
continue providing to the people who watch and use the services and products they provide.

12. BBC Synergy
Synergy is the creation, promotion and sale of a product or
brand across different platforms. The BBC produces a range of
different services that are aired across a number of subsidiaries including BBC 1, 2, 3,
and 4. The products that come from these subsidiaries create a marketing and
synergistic heaven.
An example of a service created by the BBC and produced on one of their many
subsidiaries, which has used a number of synergistic techniques include ‘In the Night
Garden’. This product had been created as a television programme, been released as a
DVD, an app, video game and become a feature of the ‘Alton Towers’ “CBeebies Land”.
The higher the number of platforms a product is released on, the more chance there is
of increasing its marketing and popularity. It also aids bringing money back to the
company.

13. BBC Synergy
Another example of a product when synergistic techniques have been successful within the BBC is ‘Doctor Who’. ‘Doctor Who’ took the
world by storm and created a masterpiece that has been around for years and will continue for many more. Platforms that this product
has been released on is endless and includes television, films, books, magazines, soundtracks, card games, video games and an
animated movie. Finally, ‘Masterchef’ uses synergistic techniques too to ensure that it can be shown on a number of platforms which
increase its popularity. Examples of synergy used include the original television show, radio stations, podcasts, magazines, an online
website and an ultimate cookbook.
With each production created, companies try to create a profit. All money they spent on making and creating a production tries to be
regained through its marketing process. In this sense, the BBC creates a win win situation. Audiences receive a product and buy into it
and through the profit made, companies can create more products.
Synergy can appeal to a large range of audiences. Using different platforms to market a product can ensure that a product can receive
a wide audience span. In turn these viewers can become loyal viewers to a production company - such as the BBC. It also means that
services can be used on the go. BBC Iplayer allows the public to watch media from outside the house, simply using an Internet
connection which can increase a corporation's audience base,
Transmedia is telling a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies. Its
benefits include expanding audiences through the use of appealing to what audiences prefer. One member of the audience may enjoy
video games and watch a story from that perspective. They may then be so intrigued that they decide to watch the series on television
which then gets continued on a separate platform. Increased audience bases increase the profit for a corporate company.

14. Examples of Products and Services
As shown, the BBC produce a range of services, which, in turn, produce products. A product is something
that an audience can consume and a service is thing that offer you the product. In the case of the BBC the
product is a programme or film and the service is the channel that the programme or film is shown on.
An example of a service is BBC One. BBC One is not a specified subsidiary, it is an allrounder, a serviced to
be used by all. An example of a product includes ‘BBC News’. The BBC air their daily six o'clock news in the
order of national stories, followed by regional ones. In contrast ITV have decided to show the regional stories
first, followed by the national ones, simply in order the accumulate the most viewers possible. Having
different types of news on, at different times, on different channels, allows for a more equal spread of
viewings. BBC Two aims is products at the older generation and examples include ‘Antiques Roadshow’. In
contrast, BBC Three aims their products at the younger generation. ‘MisFITS Like Us’ is a great example of
a product aired on the BBC’s television service.
BBC Three used to be televised but recently moved online as they were not receiving as many views which
as a result meant they were earning less money. To combat this problem the BBC decided to move the
channel online so those who wanted to view its content - which specialised in documentaries and
investigative productions could do so for free. ‘Nature's Epic Journeys’ is an example of a product that can
be watched online of the BBC iPlayer Website.

15. Examples of Products and Services
Not only do the BBC create services on television, but on other platforms too. BBC Radio has 6 channels
which all specialise in different topics and target different audiences. Examples of what the products
specialise in include BBC Radio 1 being a music channel, Radio 2 being a celebrity centered channel, Radio
3 being a peaceful and relaxing station which plays music for concentration, Radio 4 being for anyone
interested in intelligent speech. Its schedule is packed with journalism, comedy, drama and readings. Radio
5 is primarily sports based and Radio 6 being an Indie, Jazz specialised channel.
The same theme goes for films and magazines produced by the BBC. Each service provides products
which are specifically aimed at different groups who have a range on interests. As previously mentioned,
the BBC tries to be a company who does not discriminate and acts within its audiences interests, which is
why there are a number of services and products that are produced.
The range of products and services mean that the BBC are able to cater for different audiences. Catering
for different audience also means that they can meet different cultural needs, which is really important in
terms of gaining viewers as audiences will appreciate the range of cultural and age differential
consideration.

16. Examples of Products and Services
BBC films are either produced by ‘BBC Studios’ who specialise in drama and entertainment whereas ‘BBC Worldwide’ tends
to have particular expertise in the factual field. Although both companies have particular specialisations, they both produce
films of all genres, are part of the same branch (they’re both under the umbrella of ‘BBC Studios’) and produce around 8 films
a year. The ability to cover all genres, means that the BBC are able to capture all types of audiences. Similarly, with this
thought in mind the BBC’s magazines cover a range of topics including, gardening, sports, food, cars, science, technology,
history and radio (The Radio TImes) - all of which are loved by one or another type of audience. In terms of worldwide BBC,
when media is shown in other countries, adds are shown as it is not a paid for public service and so the advertisements
increase the BBC’s funding further.
The BBC must cater for different to audience in order to gain viewing for different programmes across different platforms.
Considering they are a public service, they must be seen to cater for all needs and age ranges. They are a paid service and
so must produce products that all can catch. This helps to alleviate possible biased comments and makes them seem as
though they think through all of their products before publishing, ensuring they are both suitable and appropriate for all age
ranges. Being able to cater for all ages increases their popularity and in turn number of views, which brings them profit.
The range of products and services that the BBC produced shows that they are more creative and therefore audiences have
more of a choice in terms what what they wish to watch. As a result, this creates an increase in audience numbers which in
turn increases the companies profit. All of the the above means that the BBC can be shown to be up to date and modern in
contemporary society.

17. The BBC’s Regulatory Requirements
OFCOM stands for Office of Communications. They are the communications regulators regarding TV
programmes and radio stations in the UK. They create a set of regulations that all TV programmes must
follow. For example, one of these guidelines include the disallowance of racial, ethnic or cultural remarks -
coming under the protection for members of the public, and others against offensive or harmful material in
television or radio. All shows must ensure, as mentioned, that they go by Ofcom guidelines. The BBC are
regulated by OFCOM too - they are no exception. OFCOM work under a set of laws that are allocated by
the government. The main set of laws that they abide by is ‘Communications Act’ of 2003. The act says that
OFCOM’s principle duty is to further the interests of citizens and consumers - meaning that each
organisation focus’ its material on what the public would want to see and where appropriate, promoting
competition
Regulatory bodies are organisations that supervise the
content of specific media industries and aim to safeguard
the public from offensive material. They ensure that all
media companies are publishing suitable material.

18. The BBC’s Regulatory Requirements
If Ofcom get a significant number of complaints about a particular TV programme, then there are concerns
that a channel may have breached the Ofcom guidelines. As a result, Ofcom will perform an investigation.
This will be to see if the initial terms and guidelines have been broken. Following this, if the programme has
been seen to have breached their contract, then they may be fined, or in a worse case scenario, the
programme may be cancelled.
A key example of an Ofcom case in the BBC is the 2017 Comic Relief show, produced by BBC 1 on the 24
March. OFCOM received 339 complaints about swearing and sexual innuendo. Obviously this behaviour is
not acceptable and was taken very seriously by the regulatory body. Britain is looked highly upon for TV
structure, and so it is crucial that the guidelines are tight and standards are high, so that other countries can
use our structure as a guide to aid their own. OFCOM have not yet officially investigated and penalised a
BBC programme due to complaints received, yet one programme did receive an official warning as
mentioned above. No programme have been stuck off for breaking the television rules and regulations yet.

19. Bibliography
https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/04/bbc-radio-4-gets-first-bbc-ofcom-code-breach/