Welcome to the BBC Archive.
Hop aboard an audiovisual time machine, that will transport you back to the golden age of TV.
Whether you are looking for some childhood nostalgia (clackers - remember them?), interviews with legends from the worlds of cinema, music and sport, or want to discover how revolutions in technology, science, art and politics shaped our modern world, we've got you covered.
Perhaps you just want to see a funny skateboarding duck? You've come to the right place.
Subscribe to never miss a stop on this amazing journey through TV time and space: youtube.com/c/BBCArchive?sub_confirmation=1
Official YouTube presence of the BBC Archive. Unless otherwise stated content is ©BBC.
Check out our House Rules: www.bbc.co.uk/social/moderation/house-rules
We retroactively moderate this page. Comments do not represent the views of BBC Archive.
Information about our complaints process can be found here: www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
BBC Archive
The Archers, the longest running daily serial in the world, began its national run on #OnThisDay 1951. Upon its release, the Radio Times described it as the “serial play of country life.” You can Step into 75 years of The Archers with our immersive archive of voices, memories and behind-the-scenes revelations here: canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/archers75/
1 month ago | [YT] | 383
View 29 replies
BBC Archive
As the year draws to a close, it feels like a good time to think about the promise of the future and what it might bring. This 1989 clip from Tomorrow’s World about “Tomorrow’s Home” attempted to do the same thing with mixed results. What did it get right and what still hasn’t come to pass? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFTPo...
1 month ago | [YT] | 339
View 34 replies
BBC Archive
#OnThisday in 1968: Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Marty Feldman and Denis Norden mulled over childhood joy and the magic of Christmas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX53k...
1 month ago | [YT] | 618
View 20 replies
BBC Archive
#OnThisDay in 1969: Gerald Harrison spoke to boys and girls from North London schools about Christmas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riH9j...
1 month ago | [YT] | 212
View 36 replies
BBC Archive
What do 1960s kids want for Christmas? In this charming clip, BBC Tonight paid a visit to Santa's Grotto to find out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhRKO...
1 month ago | [YT] | 193
View 4 replies
BBC Archive
What was it like to work in a department store at Christmas in the 1960s?
How did the shop assistants, cleaners, managers and fashion buyers cope with the influx of demanding customers? This behind-the-scenes glimpse at the daily goings on in Jones & Co of Bristol offers some great insight into a very different kind of Christmas from yesteryear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEuc...
1 month ago | [YT] | 266
View 2 replies
BBC Archive
What did children want from Father Christmas in 1955? Panorama took a break from tackling the weightiest current affairs issues of the day to offer us this fascinating glimpse into the minds of children in the 1950s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHsY...
1 month ago | [YT] | 399
View 70 replies
BBC Archive
Searching in vain for the perfect gift for that special tech-obsessed person in your life? In 1984 and 1985 had the best computer books, software packages, hardware add-ons, games and even some robot cats and dogs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADzn1...
1 month ago | [YT] | 220
View 35 replies
BBC Archive
#OnThisDay in 1960: Tony Hart gave young viewers a sneak preview of some of the BBC television shows that were airing over the Christmas period. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjrQ5...
1 month ago | [YT] | 396
View 31 replies
BBC Archive
With the 2025 Christmas number 1 set to be announced later on today, let's enjoy this 1989 news report about the "British obsession with the novelty Christmas record" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S0UR...
1 month ago | [YT] | 149
View 20 replies
Load more