The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), one of the largest global broadcasters of radio and television programme, started operations on 18th October 1922. It was founded under the name British Broadcasting Company, and in 1927, it received a Royal Charter and was renamed into The British Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC broadcast radio programme from the beginning, and in 1932 it started to broadcast as the first public broadcasting service.
Ever since its foundation, this corporation has played a significant role in life of the citizens of the United Kingdom. BBC programmes are watched and listened by almost the entire British population, while two-thirds of grown-ups regularly follow its radio programme. The Weakest link, Muzzy in Gondoland, Blackadder are just some of the most popular BBC programmes that have become part of global popular culture.
Famous for its high-standard news programme, excellent documentaries, legendary series and remarkable drama programmes, this media institution not only presents the authentic culture of the British Isles, but also provides insight into how the British see the world around them. During the Second World War, the Yugoslav BBC service, known as Radio London, was the most trusted source of information in occupied Yugoslavia.
Prominent Serbian writer Borislav Pekić had a show on BBC radio from 1985. Broadcast every other Sunday the contents of this show have been published as a book ‘’Letters From Abroad’’. British writer George Orwell was himself a presenter on the BBC radio in the period 1941-1943, becoming a well-known voice, representing the struggle against fascism, for many listeners worldwide. Both of them took part in the programmes while the BBC was based in the Bush House, the famous building used as the BBC headquarters from 1941 to 2021.
Today the BBC employs approximately 22.000 people, and the BBC World Service broadcasts TV, radio and online programmes in more than 40 languages - including Serbian, which started again in March of 2018.
