80 Years of BFBS | About BFBS

For 80 years BFBS has been entertaining, informing, connecting, and championing the British armed forces community.

It has always been agile and pioneering, meeting the needs of the military on land and at sea. Technical and social changes, the ever-evolving landscape of Defence, and creative and inventive colleagues have shaped BFBS into the global multimedia organisation it is today.

BFBS is a key partner to Defence and continues to stand alongside and serve our armed forces and their families wherever they are based.

Archive photograph of individual talking into a raised microphone.

1943: First Broadcast from Algiers

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Archive photograph from the Imperial War Museum.

1947: Gladys the Mobile Studio

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Archive photograph on a radio presenter sat at a desk.

1952: Gurkha Radio On Air in Singapore

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1975: Launch of BFBS TV

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Map of western Europe.

1982: Microwave Television – a Live Link with Home

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Aerial photograph of Chalfont Grove.

1994: BFBS's Own Satellite Uplink

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Close up photograph of a singer performing in front of a crowd.

2007: Decompression – Entertainment to Support Troops Leaving Theatre 

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Two serving personnel viewing the BFBS TV Player on a device.

2016: A Digital Turning Point – the BFBS MiPlayer

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Silhouette of a tank.

2022: Strategic Communications and Information Warfare

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In 80 years, BFBS has grown from a single voice in Algiers into a pioneering military charity and media organisation that supports the armed forces community.

Explore all of our services at about.bfbs.com.