BFBS TV 50

BFBS TV is specially created for British Forces communities overseas offering the best of current UK TV, and more, all in one place. With postings overseas sometimes lasting several years, familiar home comforts for the families of service personnel are crucial.

It is a historic moment for us in BFBS as we open up our first television service.

Spoken by Hilary Osborn on 18 September 1975, these were the first words heard on BFBS Television.

It was the success of BFBS Radio, which launched in 1943, that led to the proposal for a television service as far back as 1959. Initially a collaboration between BFBS, the BBC and ITV contractor London Weekend Television, the programmes were recorded in the UK and the adverts were removed using two very large video tape machines and an editing unit designed by a BFBS engineer. 

It took another 16 years before BFBS TV eventually launched to families in Germany on the 18th of September 1975.

Over the years the armed forces personnel serving have grown up with BFBS TV as a constant in their lives – from celebrating their birthdays with a shout-out on children's TV, learning to speak the local language while watching ‘Instant German’ with Corinna Schnabel, to watching today's Forces News and all packaged with a bespoke mix of familiar and popular TV shows from home.

Today, as the world of digital has evolved so has BFBS TV's offering. From a satellite service of 12 channels to a connected TV and mobile offer spanning 40 live streams and over 2,000 hours of on-demand choice - on land and at sea.

So, whether it's the biggest movie premieres, big ticket live sport from all the major providers, new headline series as well as your favourite soaps, dramas and more - we strive to provide an unrivalled, and bespoke, mix of entertainment, sport and news experiences, accessible wherever our audiences are in the world.

All of this is free at the point of access as part of morale and welfare for the whole of the armed forces community, posted overseas.