The UK has media institutions known internationally, such as the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), The Economist (a weekly news magazine founded in 1843), and The Times (a daily newspaper). The BBC is known for its world service radio and television transmitting to all continents. The BBC is state owned and is supposed to be politically neutral. It came into operation in 1927 and has always been financed by a licence fee (around £150 a year per household), which means no advertising on its main programmes.
There is a long tradition in the UK of independent newspapers, such as The Times, The Guardian or The Telegraph. The first newspapers were founded as early as in the 18th century and the first radio programme was broadcast in 1922. Television broadcasting started in the mid-1930s (however transmission was suspended during WWII). Television ownership took off after the televising of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953 (watched by over 20 million spectators in the UK alone). A private TV channel was launched in 1955, named ITV. Colour television began in 1967.
Newspapers are cheaper and published in higher numbers in the UK than in France. For example, 2 million copies of The Sun are sold every weekday. Two types of newspapers exist :
- "broadsheets" which are considered quality press, publishing serious articles about current affairs ;
- "tabloids", considered to be the "gutter press", because they are more focused on details about the lives of celebrities.
Some publications are in-between, such as the Daily Mail and the Daily Express, considered to be less sensationalists. Most newspapers’ political orientation is obvious and is believed to influence voters. The press in the UK is supposed to be self-regulating even though there has been much criticism over the media’s intrusive practices, which may lead to statutory legislation.
