90 years ago today the BBC World Service began on 19 December 1932 as the BBC Empire Service, broadcasting on shortwave.
The Director General, Sir John Reith, said in the opening programme:
“Don’t expect too much in the early days; for some time we shall transmit comparatively simple programmes, to give the best chance of intelligible reception and provide evidence as to the type of material most suitable for the service in each zone. The programmes will neither be very interesting nor very good.”
The Empire Service was renamed the BBC Overseas Service in November 1939.
On 1 May 1965 the service took its current name of BBC World Service.
(Wikipedia)
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