‘What has the BBC ever given us?’ That’s the question we answered in 1986, showing the depth and breadth of the BBC’s offering, from programmes to services and beyond in a special advert.
Now, 40 years on, the way people watch, listen to and consume media has changed. The BBC has changed too, but audiences remain at the heart of everything we do. And with 94% of UK adults using our services on average per month (81% per week), we continue to deliver on our public service mission.
That’s why we’re making the case for a publicly funded BBC – wihttps://youtu.be/koftLxmT6Wc?si=ZB9734YjsKTWBxKRth a little help from Romesh Ranganathan (and a few familiar faces), as he asks ‘what has the BBC ever done for me?’
The answer isn’t simply a list of programmes. It’s the unique role the BBC plays in connecting us, informing us, entertaining us and reflecting the lives of people across the whole of the UK.
There is a BBC for each of us, funded by all of us – and should continue to be. This is our BBC.
What has the BBC ever done for me?
I really do feel strongly that we should have a BBC and I think that there is nothing else that does what the BBC does.
“I strongly, strongly believe that the BBC should exist and look, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s without its flaws,” says Romesh.
“There have definitely been times and issues where I wished it could have dealt with things differently – but I feel incredibly passionate about the fact that we should have it and it adds so much to our lives. And I’m really proud of it.
And so when I was asked to front this film, first of all, I was very surprised that they’d chosen me and very honoured but I thought it was a no-brainer, really. I really do feel strongly that we should have a BBC and I think that there is nothing else that does what the BBC does.
“I grew up watching children’s television and one of my earliest memories is probably Newsround with John Craven. I watched Blue Peter and we always had the BBC on in my house.”
There are very few organisations whose mission is to serve everyone, regardless of where they live, what they do or what they’re interested in.
“What is the BBC for? Why does it matter? And what would we lose without it? The answers will be different for everyone,” Chief Customer Officer Kerris Bright explains.
“For some, it is the trusted news they turn to when the world feels uncertain. For others, it is the local radio presenter who feels like a friend, the drama everyone is talking about, a children’s programme that becomes part of family life, educational resources helping young people learn, or major sporting moments that bring millions together.
“Given the huge range of things the BBC does, deciding what to feature in this campaign was no easy task. We used audience research to help identify the programmes, services and initiatives that resonate most strongly with viewers, listeners and users today – from Bitesize to The Traitors – while also reminding audiences of some of the things the BBC provides that they may not immediately think about.
“That felt particularly important because there are very few organisations whose mission is to serve everyone, regardless of where they live, what they do or what they’re interested in.
“In 1986, there were two national television channels. Today there are eight. There were four national radio stations; today there are 10, alongside national services for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and 39 local radio stations across England.
“We have created services that simply did not exist when John Cleese walked into that pub: iPlayer, Sounds, Bitesize, CBeebies, the BBC website and a range of digital services that reach audiences around the world.”
