About the BBC

BBC services on television, radio and online

Most of the BBC's services in the UK are funded from income from the licence fee:

  • 8 national television channels (BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament)
  • BBC Red Button interactive TV
  • BBC HD
  • 10 national radio stations (Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, 5 Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, Radio 7, BBC Asian Network)
  • National TV and radio services for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and over 40 local radio stations for England
  • BBC Online, BBC iPlayer, BBC Mobile and the BBC channel on YouTube

Other services are funded differently.

  • Community Channel (TV) is supported by the BBC through a partnership agreement.
  • BBC World Service (radio) is funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
  • Around the world, there are separate commercial ventures whose profits help fund BBC public services, including BBC America, BBC Prime, BBC World News and BBC Worldwide on YouTube.

See the menu on the left for more information about individual services.

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Explore the BBC

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