The hidden history of the BBC revealed through an archive of interviews through the ages

The new archive includes more than 600 hours of recorded interviews from across the BBC’s 100-year history (Image: BBC/University of Sussex)

A new online catalog reveals a hidden history of the BBC from its earliest years, with more than 600 hours of recorded interviews released publicly.

David Attenborough, Esther Ratzen and former prime minister Harold Wilson are among the figures to appear in interviews in the archive, revealed as part of a project by University of Sussex academics to mark the broadcaster’s centenary celebrations.

BBC Connected Stories, a six-year collaboration between the university and the network, provides access to more than 470 hours of audio and 159 hours of video interviews.

Professor Margaretha Jolley, who led the project in its final stages, said: “The BBC’s connected stories enhance and embellish our understanding and appreciation of the BBC.

“The online catalog gives each of us easy access to an invaluable and extraordinary collection of insights, memories and experiences.

“I am particularly proud of the work we have done with members of the public, engaging with them at events organized by our partners in Sussex, London and Bradford.

“It helped us build a bigger, more democratic history of the BBC through people’s own memories of TV and radio.”

The selection highlights topics such as television entertainment, the Second World War, pioneering women and multicultural and post-imperial Britain.

The BBC’s head of history, Robert Sitter, said: “The BBC has a unique history and role in British culture.

“This great new project with the University of Sussex is opening up our special archives for all to see and hear – it will be an insightful look behind the scenes at a hundred years of public broadcasting.”

Alongside the archive, the project’s founding director, Professor David Hendy, has written a book interpreting the unique oral history archive.

BBC: A People’s Story follows the broadcaster from its beginnings, through war, the creation of television, changing public tastes, austerity and massive cultural change.

The story continues

Professor Handy said: “The BBC’s oral history collection is an outstanding, if underused, treasure trove, providing unique accounts of the BBC’s history.

“Being able to see and hear these key figures from the BBC’s past tell us their stories directly helps us bring written history to life, but more importantly it reveals the hidden nexus of broadcasting – the way in which personal beliefs, character and emotions have helped shape this highly influential public institution.”

The new catalog includes a player that allows users to listen, watch, read and make clips of the interviews included in the archive.