The BBC Story

No other broadcaster in the world has had such a diverse, exciting and long history. The BBC celebrates its centenary in 2022, and these timelines map out the Corporation's life decade by decade.

  • Radio timelines

  • Radio 2 timeline

    How Radio 2 became the station we hear today via soothing instrumental light music, middle of the road classics, and a weekly soap opera.
  • Radio 3 timeline

    From Weber, Bartok and Bach, to jazz, the avant-garde and world music, drama, prog rock and sport - Radio 3 has always been full of surprises.
  • Radio 4 timeline

    To see the world differently, listen - how Radio 4 reinvented itself from the Home Service.
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