What has the BBC ever done for me?

There is a BBC for each of us, funded by all of us - and should continue to be. This is our BBC.

Published: 20 July 2026

'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 - with 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?

Watch Romesh's epic journey to answer the big question

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.
— Romesh Ranganathan

"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.

Romesh Ranganathan sits on a camera rig, operating an old BBC camera. He's pictured against a blue screen.

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."

Learn more about why Romesh wanted to get involved - and his own BBC memories

A group of people - Shini Muthukrishnan, Abby Cook, Julie Wilson Nimmo and Shabaz Ali - pose together in the Bridge Street market set on the EastEnders lot. Shabaz holds a record for Later... with Jools Holland

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
— Kerris Bright, Chief Customer Officer

"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.

A collage of stills from the film including Clare Balding at Wimbledon, Claudia Winkleman pulling a pint of Traitors Ale surrounded by two hooded figures, Romesh as a character in Hey Duggee and Feathers McGraw being interviewing in an interrogation room

"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."

Read more from Kerris Bright about why we're asking the question and learn how the film came to life

What has the BBC ever done for the UK?

What has the BBC ever done for us? is written in white on a black background with three large white BBC blocks. Stills from BBC programmes are featured in blocks.

For over 100 years the BBC has shaped who we are as a country and how the world sees us.

It is a vital national asset – one that belongs to everyone in the UK and represents a shared investment in our culture, our communities, our economy and our democracy at a time when this has never been more needed.

Louis Theroux looks earnestly to camera as he stands with one hand on a giant lever, which represents an on/off switch for the BBC

As the world changes, the role the BBC plays for the UK is changing too.

In 2024/25, the BBC contributed £6.7 billion to the UK economy and supported more than 79,000 jobs. For every £1 the BBC spends, £3.49 is generated across the wider economy.

Three yellow blocks featuring information about what the BBC has done for the UK. On the left, text reads: Raised £2.5 billion for charity. Text on the right reads: "Contributed £6.7 billion to the economy" Pudsey Bear is featured in the centre.

And as the UK's largest single investor in original content, we help support creative businesses, freelancers and production talent across every nation and region of the UK.

We want to offer outstanding value to all audiences in the years ahead whilst supporting the UK’s democracy, creative economy and society.

Our BBC, Our Future

A woman and a man - Charley Marlowe and George Webster - sit on a bench outside the Queen Vic pub, smiling

In 2025 we undertook our biggest ever listening exercise through the Our BBC, Our Future questionnaire. This was designed to ensure that the voice of the audience is at the heart of the debate about the BBC’s future as we look ahead to the review of our Royal Charter beyond 2027.

In total, 872,701 account holders shared their views, giving us a powerful picture of what people across the UK want and need from the BBC as we reinvent what we do for the future.

The Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC. It provides the legal right for it to exist and operate. It establishes the BBC’s Mission and Public Purposes, as well as important governance and regulatory arrangements, such as the role and composition of the BBC Board.

The current Royal Charter comes to an end on 31 December 2027.

Find out more about the Royal Charter here

The Government's Review of the BBC Royal Charter

Three images feature on a black background - they are of newsreader Clive Myrie in studio, musical artist Raye performing with a microphone in hand, and Sir David Attenborough smiling as he looks at a little field mouse balancing on his hand

This marks a critical moment for the BBC and for the whole of the UK’s creative sector.

In March 2026, the BBC published a 100-page response to the Government’s Green Paper Charter consultation setting out its vision to boost the UK’s creative economy, support democracy and give greater value to audiences.

Find out more about the Government’s Review of the BBC Royal Charter and download the BBC’s Response to the Government’s Charter Review Green Paper.

The future of the BBC - explore our impact across nine key sectors

During the consultation, the BBC published a set of nine impact briefings setting out the unique value the BBC provides in key sectors and content areas – Sport, News, Comedy, Music, Arts & Culture, Children’s & Education, Independent Producers, Science & Nature, and the BBC World Service.

The briefings aim to provide the public, and anyone considering engaging with the Charter Review process, a collection of key facts and statistics that offer more of an insight into the role the BBC plays at the heart of the UK’s world-class creative industries.