BBC Facts
What does 'BBC' stand for?
British Broadcasting Corporation
What is the BBC Royal Charter?
The BBC Royal Charter is a document signed by the Queen. There is also an Agreement between the Government and the BBC and these documents set out the rules for what the BBC does and where it gets its money. The rules do not mention specific television or radio programmes -- that is up to the people who work at the BBC -- but the rules do make sure the BBC creates programmes that appeal to the diverse population of the UK. The Royal Charter normally expires every 10 years.
What does the BBC do?
- Eight TV channels - BBC1, BBC2, BBC 3 and BBC4, CBeebies, CBBC,
- BBC News 24 and BBC Parliament.
- 54 Radio stations - Radio1, Radio2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio Five Live, Five Live Sports Xtra, Radio 1Xtra, BBC6 Music, BBC7 and BBC Asian Network, as well as 38 local radio
- stations and a further six stations covering the nations.
- BBCi - the BBC's interactive services, including websites, mobile services and interactive television.
- Services in the nations and regions - BBC Scotland, BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Wales and BBC English Regions.
- In addition, the BBC runs the World Service and some TV stations in other countries (like BBC America) and has departments that sell things like DVDs or produce magazines like The Radio Times.
Who pays for the BBC?
You do. We do. Almost every home with a TV in the UK does. If you have a colour TV at home, the TV licence fee this year is £131.50. If your TV is black and white, it's £44.00. People aged 75 pay no fee, some pensioners and disabled people pay a £5 fee, and registered blind people get a 50% discount.