View source for British Forces Broadcasting Service

{{short description|Radio and TV service for the British military}}
{{redirect|BFBS|the religious charity|British and Foreign Bible Society|the plural "BFBs"|BFB (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Forces Network|the American network|American Forces Network|the Canadian network|Canadian Forces Radio and Television|the Israeli network|Army Radio|the wartime BBC radio network|BBC Forces Programme}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox broadcasting network
|network_name   = British Forces Broadcasting Service
|name           = 
|logo           = British Forces Broadcasting Service logo.svg
|logo_size      = 250px
|image          = 
|caption        = BFBS logo
|network_type   = Armed forces media (UK)
|founded        = {{start date and age|1943}}
|founder        = 
|broadcast_area = {{hlist|United Kingdom|Ascension Island|Bahrain|Brunei|Canada|Cyprus|Diego Garcia|Estonia|Germany|Gibraltar|Falkland Islands|Nepal|Singapore}}
|area           = 
|owner          =
|key_people     = [[Queen Camilla|The Queen]] (patron)<ref name="governance">{{cite web|url=https://about.bfbs.com/patron-and-governance|title=Patron and Governance|work=British Broadcasting Services|access-date=29 June 2024}}</ref> <br/> Ben Chapman (CEO)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfbs.com/bfbs-appoints-new-ceo|title=Ben Chapman appointed new CEO of BFBS|work=British Forces Broadcasting Services|access-date=29 June 2024}}</ref> <br/> [[Christopher Wilson (British Army officer)|Christopher Wilson]] (chairman of the board of trustees)<ref name="governance"/>
|headquarters   = 
|employees      = 
|budget         = 
|launch_date    = 
|former_names   = Forces Broadcasting Service<br>British Forces Network
|affiliations   = 
|website        = {{official website|https://www.bfbs.com/}}
|servicename1   = BFBS Radio
|service1       = [[#BFBS Radio stations|See list]]
|footnotes      =
}}

The '''British Forces Broadcasting Service''' ('''BFBS''') provides radio and television programmes for [[British Armed Forces|His Majesty's Armed Forces]], and their dependents worldwide. Editorial control is independent of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and the armed forces themselves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media: Providing uplift for the licentious soldiery: The British Forces Broadcasting Service is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Michael Leapman tunes in |website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/media-providing-uplift-for-the-licentious-soldiery-the-british-forces-broadcasting-service-is-celebrating-its-50th-anniversary-michael-leapman-tunes-in-1461737.html}}</ref> It was established by the British [[War Office]] (now the Ministry of Defence) in 1943. In 1944, it was managed by [[Gale Pedrick]].<ref name="Times-57802">{{cite news |title=Mr Gale Pedrick |url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R1&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=44&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C12%29Gale+Pedrick%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28MB%2CNone%2C8%29%22TTDA-1%22%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=bclib&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=CS171668056&contentSet=UDVIN&callistoContentSet=UDVIN&docPage=article&hilite=y |work=[[The Times]] |date=24 February 1970 |page=10 |access-date=29 August 2014}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:BFBS logo.png|thumb|Former logo, used until March 2020]]
Originally known as the '''Forces Broadcasting Service (FBS)''', it was initially under the control of the British Army Welfare Service, its first effort, the Middle East Broadcasting Unit, being headquartered in [[Cairo]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=BwJ7ET3erXAC&dq=%22british+forces+network%22+%22fbs%22&pg=PA215 ''On the Short Waves, 1923-1945: Broadcast Listening in the Pioneer Days of Radio''], Jerome S. Berg, McFarland, 1999, page 215</ref>

Before and after the end of the [[Second World War]] various radio stations were set up, some using the FBS name, others using the name '''British Forces Network (BFN)''', but by the early 1960s these had all adopted the BFBS name.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-UeveLMilioC&dq=%22bfn%22+radio&pg=PA379 ''Encyclopedia of Radio 3''], Volume Set, Christopher H. Sterling, Routledge, 2004, page 379</ref>

From 1982 until 2020, BFBS formed part of the [[Services Sound and Vision Corporation]] (SSVC), a registered charity which is also responsible for the [[British Defence Film Library]], SSVC Cinemas (now BFBS Cinemas), and Combined Services Entertainment (CSE; now [[BFBS Live Events]]), providing entertainment for HM Forces around the world. In March 2020, most of the properties under the SSVC umbrella were rebranded under the new BFBS and Forces brandings.<ref>{{cite web |last=Coupe |first=Georgina |title=75 Reasons To Love Your New BFBS |url=https://www.forces.net/75-reasons-to-love-new-bfbs |website=Forces Network |date=2 March 2020}}</ref> On 23 July 2020, SSVC was renamed BFBS.<ref>{{cite web |title=BFBS – Overview (free company information from Companies House) |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00407270 |publisher=Companies House, Government of the United Kingdom}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Search the register of charities |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_mvcRenderCommandName=/charity-overview&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_organisationNumber=233480 |website=register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk}}</ref> BFBS does not carry commercial advertising.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3842035.stm 'Our aim is to entertain and inform'], [[BBC News]], 20 July 2004</ref>

== BFBS Radio ==
{{Infobox company
| name = BFBS Radio
| logo = BFBS Radio Logo RGB.jpg
| logo_size = 
| caption = 
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| foundation = 1943; {{time ago|1943}}
| founder = 
| defunct = 
| location_city = Chalfont Grove Teleport, [[Chalfont St Peter]], [[Buckinghamshire]]
| location_country = [[United Kingdom]]
| locations = 
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = 
| industry = [[Mass media]]
| products = 
| services = Radio broadcasting
| revenue = £28,774,000
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| aum = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = BFBS
| num_employees = 
| parent = British Forces Broadcasting Service
| divisions = 
| subsid = 
| footnotes = 
| intl = 
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.bfbs.com/help/frequencies}}
}}

BFBS Radio operates 22 radio stations, broadcast on a combination of local DAB, FM and AM frequencies, online and on digital television.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfbs.com/radio/how-to-listen/ |title=How to Listen |publisher=BFBS |access-date=17 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026032028/http://www.bfbs.com/radio/how-to-listen |archive-date=26 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> BFBS Radio is a music, news, entertainment and community service providing bespoke content to the global Forces Community with a focus on Forces News and connecting the Forces communities around the world.

===Broadcasting===
BFBS broadcasts to service personnel and their families and friends worldwide with local radio studios in [[Belize]], [[Brunei]], [[Canada]], [[Cyprus]], [[Germany]], [[Gibraltar]], the [[Falkland Islands]], [[Nepal]] and operational areas.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/29/bfbs-radio-camp-bastion-afghanistan British Forces Broadcasting Service: Good morning Afghanistan!], Angus Batey, ''[[The Guardian]]'', 29 September 2011</ref> In addition, BFBS the Forces Station<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.bfbs.com/radio/how-to-listen|title=How to Listen|website=BFBS Radio|access-date=2017-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301011930/http://www.bfbs.com/radio/how-to-listen|archive-date=1 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> is heard by troops in [[Ascension Island]], Bahrain, Belgium, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], Estonia, and [[Netherlands|the Netherlands]], as well as onboard [[Royal Navy]] ships at sea via live [[satellite]] links, [[World Wide Web|online]] at {{url|http://radio.bfbs.com/|BFBS Radio}}, on [[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky]] channel 0211 in the United Kingdom only, via an [[Astra 2]] [https://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-2E-2F-2G.html transponder] and on [[Freesat]] channel 786.

From 12 January 2008, BFBS began a trial period of broadcasting nationwide across the UK on [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]], which ran until 31 March 2008. Audience research carried out during the trial concluded that it was successful and broadcasts continued for eight years<ref name="DAB re-armed with BFBS radio">{{cite web|title=DAB re-armed with BFBS radio|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2009/04/dab-re-armed-with-bfbs-radio/|access-date=15 December 2011}}</ref> until 6 March 2017 when the service ceased due to the cost to the charity [[Services Sound and Vision Corporation|SSVC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/01/bfbs-to-end-national-dab-radio-transmissions/|title=BFBS to end national DAB radio transmissions – RadioToday|website=radiotoday.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-03-10}}</ref>

On 1 April 2013, BFBS began a new 10-year contract for to supply all forces broadcasting service to British troops around the world and expanded its service to UK army bases formerly served by [[Garrison FM|Garrison Radio]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/03/garrison-radio-closes-as-bfbs-goes-local/ |title=Garrison Radio closes as BFBS goes local |publisher=Radio Today |date=1 March 2013 |access-date=24 April 2013}}</ref> BFBS UK base stations now broadcast using DAB in [[Aldershot Garrison|Aldershot]], [[Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove|Aldergrove]], [[Blandford Camp|Blandford]], [[Bovington Camp|Bovington]], [[RAF Brize Norton|Brize Norton]], [[Bulford Camp|Bulford]], [[Catterick Garrison|Catterick]], [[Colchester Garrison|Colchester]], [[Dreghorn Barracks|Edinburgh]], [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]], [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]], [[Inverness]], [[Thiepval Barracks|Lisburn]], and [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]].<ref name="auto"/>

===Programming===
Bespoke news bulletins are broadcast every hour, 24 hours a day, utilising content from [[BBC News]], [[Independent Radio News|IRN]] and BFBS's own team of Forces News reporters. The standard bulletin is three minutes long, with extended ten-minute ''Newsplus'' programmes on weekdays at 0400, 0700, 1100, 1300 and 1700 UK time. Two-minute-long news and sport headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during breakfast programming. Bulletins are broadcast around the clock on BFBS the Forces Station and BFBS Gurkha Radio, and during BFBS Radio 2's music programming.

Many of the programmes on BFBS Radio 2 are sourced from [[BBC Radio 4]] and [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], including the soap opera ''[[The Archers]]'', which was popular in Hong Kong until BFBS Radio ceased broadcasting on 30 June 1997 before the [[handover of Hong Kong|handover]] to [[China]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/hong-kongs-farewell-to-the-archers--from-pete-and-dud-1267436.html Hong Kong's farewell to the Archers ... from Pete and Dud] ''[[The Independent]]'' 16 April 1997</ref> BFBS UK is a contemporary hit 'pop' station. It is similar in style to [[BBC Radio 2]], playing current music and chat, as well as regular news bulletins.

On 31 May 2010, [[BBC Radio 1]] teamed up with BFBS to transmit the 10-hour takeover show from [[Camp Bastion]] with BFBS presenters and shout outs from the military community.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ten Hour Takeover Part 2, Fearne Cotton – BBC Radio 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sk5nm |publisher=BBC |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> It repeated the link-up in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Hour Takeover – British Forces special, Fearne Cotton – BBC Radio 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011hz64 |publisher=BBC |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref>

In December 2011, the UK's [[Smooth Radio (2010)|Smooth Radio]] broadcast its national breakfast show, presented by [[Simon Bates]], from the BFBS studios in Camp Bastion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/12/afghanistan-trip-for-smooths-simon-bates/ |title=Afghanistan trip for Smooth's Simon Bates |publisher=Radio Today |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=8 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216075041/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/12/afghanistan-trip-for-smooths-simon-bates/ |archive-date=16 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Lucy |title=Bates takes Smooth Breakfast to the British Forces in Afghanistan |url=http://www.radiocentre.org/latest-industry-news/bates-takes-smooth-breakfast-to-the-british-forces-in-afghanistan |publisher=Radiocentre.org |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=8 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222215805/http://www.radiocentre.org/latest-industry-news/bates-takes-smooth-breakfast-to-the-british-forces-in-afghanistan |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mahoney |first=Elisabeth |title=Radio review: Simon Bates at Breakfast |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/dec/13/radio |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 December 2011 |access-date=8 April 2012}}</ref> On 8 April 2012, [[Easter Sunday]], BFBS simulcast a two-hour show with Smooth, presented jointly by Bates and BFBS's Rachel Cochrane, allowing family and friends of serving troops to connect with their loved ones.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/04/bfbs-links-up-with-smooth-for-easter/ |title=BFBS links up with Smooth for Easter |publisher=Radio Today |date=4 April 2012 |access-date=8 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409150818/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/04/bfbs-links-up-with-smooth-for-easter/ |archive-date=9 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===BFBS Radio stations===
BFBS currently has three main stations: BFBS the Forces Station (each with regional content), BFBS Radio 2 and BFBS Gurkha Network. In addition, there are themed online stations under the BFBS branding; they are Beats, Rewind, Best of British (replaced Unwind), Edge (formerly Dirt) and Samishran.

BFBS Gurkha Network broadcasts on AM and DAB in selected UK locations as well as on FM in the [[Falkland Islands]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Brunei]], [[Nepal]], [[Belize]] and on Ops. It provides programmes in [[Nepali language|Nepali]], for the [[Gurkha]] units serving with the [[British Army]].<ref>[http://www.bfbs.com/radio/articles/2202 Gurkha Radio staff from Nepal visit UK] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308171637/http://www.bfbs.com/radio/articles/2202 |date=8 March 2016}}, BFBS, 25 March 2014</ref>

BFBS broadcast in [[Malta]] until 25 March 1979, when British forces left the islands.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=IJ4EAAAAMAAJ&q=Malta ''A microphone and a frequency: forty years of forces broadcasting''], Doreen Taylor, Heinemann, 1983, page 174</ref> It ceased broadcasts from Berlin on 15 July 1994, following the end of the [[Cold War]], [[German reunification]], and the withdrawal of British forces from the city, after 33 years.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=_DAbAQAAIAAJ&q=July+ ''This Is the British Forces Network. The Story of Forces Broadcasting in Germany''], Alan Grace, Alan Sutton, page 71</ref> The BFBS Berlin frequency was given up on 12 December 1994. BFBS broadcast in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] until 30 June 1997, before Chinese [[People's Liberation Army]] replaced British forces in the city. BFBS also broadcast on FM in [[Belize]], from Airport Camp near [[Belize City]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=g8lNAAAAYAAJ&q=%22airport+camp%22 ''World Radio TV Handbook''], Volume 43, O. Lund Johansen, 1989, page 276</ref> These broadcasts could also be received in eastern parts of [[Guatemala]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=To5xPX7Xaf8C&q=bfbs+ ''Central America''], Emily Hatchwell, Simon Calder, Vacation Work, 1991, page 142</ref> It ceased broadcasting in Belize in August 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Forces radio, BFBS, end of an era—signing off permanently in Belize – Channel5Belize.com |url=http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/59064 |website=edition.channel5belize.com |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> The station re-opened in 2016.<ref>[https://twitter.com/bfbs/status/765529836014141441 We're proud to say that we're back on air in Belize, serving the forces community. Tune in > BFBS Belize 94.3MHz FM], [[Twitter]], 16 August 2016</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Service
! Description
! Frequency<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BFBS Radio Frequencies |url=https://www.bfbs.com/help/frequencies}}</ref>
! Webcast
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-uk|BFBS UK}} || Contemporary music, speech || {{ubl|DAB+: 11A [[Sound Digital]]|FM: 106.8 ([[Bulford]])|[[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky]] (UK only): 0211|[[Freesat]]: 786}}
|{{url|https://radioplayerhosting.com/stations/live/1091|Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-radio-2|BFBS Radio 2}} || Popular music, news, sport || || {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/08727cf4-c27c-52b2-a0eb-2c811e68f545|BFBS Radioplayer}} 
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-gurkha-network|BFBS Gurkha Network}} || Programming for [[Gurkha|Gurkhas]] || {{ubl|FM: 90.8 (Dover)|FM: 105.4 ([[Folkestone]])|FM: 106.8 ([[Bulford]])|AM: {{frequency|1134|kHz}} (Bramcote, Catterick, Sandhurst)|AM: {{frequency|1278|kHz}} (Folkestone, Stafford, Tidworth, Warminster)|AM: {{frequency|1287|kHz}} (Aldershot, Blandford, Brecon, Hullavington, Innsworth, Maidstone)}}
| {{url|https://radioplayerhosting.com/stations/live/1151/|Radioplayer}}
|}

====Local stations====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Service
! Description
! Frequency<ref name=":0"/>
! Webcast
|-
|BFBS Ascension Island
|Local service
|BFBS Radio: {{ubl|FM: 107.3 (Green Mountain)|FM: 100.9 (Travellers Hill)|BFBS Radio 2:|FM: 105.3 (Green Mountain)|FM: 97.3 (Travellers Hill)}}
|
|-
|BFBS Bahrain
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 99.1
|
|-
|BFBS Belgium
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 107.7 ([[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|SHAPE]])
|
|-
|BFBS Belize
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 94.3<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 96.3<br>BFBS Gurkha Network:<br>FM: 98.3
|
|-
|BFBS Bosnia
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 102.0 (Butmir Camp)<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 106.9 (Butmir Camp)
|
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-brunei|BFBS Brunei}}|| Local service || BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 101.7 (Seria)<br>BFBS Gurhka Network:<br />FM: 89.5 (Seria)<br>FM: 92.0 (Sitang Camp)
|{{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/cafafe14-b646-5df5-8433-964c26c4a90c|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-canada|BFBS Canada}}<br>[[CKBF-FM]] || Local service || BFBS Radio:<br>FM: [[CKBF-FM]] 104.1 (Ralston Village / [[British Army Training Unit Suffield|BATUS]])<br>FM: 98.1 ([[CFB Suffield]] A-Line)
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/6a8d648d-4a36-5257-b4e6-e6ad2a435143|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-cyprus|BFBS Cyprus}}|| Local service || BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 89.9 (Akrotiri)<br>FM: 91.7 (Ayios Nikolaos)<br>FM: 91.7 (Nicosia)<br>FM: 99.6 (Dhekelia)<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 92.1 (Akrotiri)<br>FM: 89.7 (Ayios Nikolaos)<br>FM: 89.7 (Nicosia)<br>FM: 95.3 (Dhekelia)
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/cdf472d3-f716-5455-a2bc-a892476238ce|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
|BFBS Estonia
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 94.9 (Camp Tapa)<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 89.2 (Camp Tapa)
|
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-falklands|BFBS Falklands}} || Local service || BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 102.4 (Byron Heights, Mount Alice, Mount Kent)<br>FM: 98.5 (MPA)<br>FM: 91.1 (Sapper Hill)<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 104.2 (Byron Heights, Mount Alice, Mount Kent)<br>FM: 93.8 (MPA)<br>FM: 94.5 (Sapper Hill)
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/8deae9be-f706-59f9-9f34-938d60fc386e|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-germany/|BFBS Germany}} || Local service || BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 91.7 (Friedrichdorf)<br>FM 101.6 (Herford)<br>FM: 96.6 (Porta Westfalica)<br>FM: 105.0 (Sennelager)<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 89.6 (Porta Westfalica)<br>FM: 91.2 (Sennelager)
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/2cb8afd0-f020-5f14-a4d2-7358108d95cf|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-gibraltar|BFBS Gibraltar}} || Local service || BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 97.8 (O'Haras Battery)<br>FM: 93.5 (Oyster Cottage)<br>BFBS Radio 2:<br>FM: 99.5 (O'Haras Battery)<br>FM: 89.4 (Oyster Cottage)
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/328ef3f0-7485-5731-b16d-a629f37c00f3|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| BFBS Nepal || Local service || BFBS Gurkha Network:<br>FM: 105.7 (Kathmandu)<br>FM: 107.5 (Dharan Town Area)
BFBS Radio 2:
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/b74f81db-a93a-54e0-a41a-f55f5191f78b|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
|BFBS Netherlands
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>FM: 90.2 ([[Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum|NATO JFC Brunssum]])
|
|-
|BFBS Singapore
|Local service
|BFBS Radio:<br>Online available ([[British Defence Singapore Support Unit]])
|
|-
|{{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/aldershot|BFBS Aldershot}} || Local service || {{ubl|DAB+: SSDAB (Aldershot/Woking)|FM: {{frequency|102.5|MHz}}}}
|
|-
| {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/blandford|BFBS Blandford}} || Local service || {{ubl|FM: {{frequency|89.3|MHz}}}}
|
|-
| {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/brize-norton|BFBS Brize Norton}} || Local service || FM: {{frequency|106.1|MHz}} ||
|-
|BFBS Bovington
|Local service
|FM: 100.8 MHz
|
|-
|BFBS Bulford
|Local service
|FM: 106.8 MHz
|
|-
| {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/catterick|BFBS Catterick}} || Local service || FM: {{frequency|106.9|MHz}} ||
|-
| {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/colchester|BFBS Colchester}} || Local service || FM: {{frequency|107.0|MHz}} ||
|-
| {{anchor|BFBS Northern Ireland}} {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/northern-ireland|BFBS Northern Ireland}} || Local service || {{ubl|FM: {{frequency|106.5|MHz}} (Aldergrove)|FM: {{frequency|100.6|MHz}} (Lisburn)|FM: {{frequency|101.0|MHz}} (Holywood)}}
| {{url|https://radioplayerhosting.com/stations/live/1152|Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/salisbury-plain|BFBS Salisbury Plain}} || Local service || DAB+: SSDAB (Salisbury Plain)<br>FM: {{frequency|106.8|MHz}}
|
|-
| {{url|https://www.bfbs.com/region/scotland|BFBS Scotland}} || Local service || {{ubl|FM: {{frequency|98.5|MHz}} (Edinburgh)|FM: {{frequency|87.7|MHz}} (Inverness & Fort George)|FM: {{frequency|94.0|MHz}} (Glencorse)}}
|
|-
|}

====Themed stations====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Service
! Description
! Launched
! Webcast
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-beats|BFBS Beats}} ||[[Rhythmic contemporary]] || ||{{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/f76e7631-f0a1-58bf-af5b-aee930ad92bd|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-edge|BFBS Edge}} || [[Rock music|Rock]] and [[indie music]] || 28 March 2022 ||{{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/53da5057-80e6-5fcc-9d7d-f48d489305b6|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-rewind|BFBS Rewind}} || [[Classic hits]] || ||{{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/cad725ac-08b1-5ec7-8397-c9d4066c114c|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{url| https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-best-of-british|BFBS Best of British}} || [[British popular music]] || 2022 ||{{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/f86b7cff-b129-523d-afd9-dbe239880893|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|-
| {{URL|https://radio.bfbs.com/stations/bfbs-samishran|BFBS Samishran}} || Nepali and Hindi music || ||{{url|https://radio.bfbs.com/radioplayer/station/ae09d647-6582-5a10-82e2-93942da453ac|BFBS Radioplayer}}
|}

== BFBS Television ==
BFBS Television started in [[Celle]], near [[Hanover]] in the then [[West Germany]], on 18 September 1975 from Trenchard Barracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfbs.com/tv/tv_history |title=The History of Forces' Broadcasting &#124; BFBS Television |publisher=BFBS |date=18 September 1975 |access-date=17 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101193504/http://www.bfbs.com/tv/tv_history |archive-date=1 November 2011}}</ref> This used taped broadcasts from the [[BBC]] and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], flown to Germany from London, which were then rebroadcast using low-power [[UHF]] transmitters.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=h08DiFtwwYQC&dq=bfbs+tv+1975+celle&pg=PA539 Coronation Street for the Rhine Army], ''[[New Scientist]]'', 4 September 1975</ref> Live broadcasts of news and sport began in 1982, using a [[microwave]] link between the UK and West Germany, extending as far east as [[West Berlin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The British Forces Broadcasting Service – A success Story |url=http://www.overlandstorage.com/pdfs/bfbs.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617072400/http://www.overlandstorage.com/pdfs/bfbs.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

The BFBS TV service used the 625-line PAL system, used in the UK as well as West Germany.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=qRo6AQAAIAAJ&q=%22BFBS+television+service%22 Eighth Report from the Expenditure Committee Session 1977-78], Papers by command, Volume 34, HMSO, 1977, page 92</ref> By 1982, it was available at 50 sites throughout northern and central regions of West Germany.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wyQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22BFBS%22+television&pg=PT125 In West Germany: Military Networks Spreading Pop], ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', Billboard – 27 March 1982</ref>

It was known as '''SSVC Television''' ([[Services Sound and Vision Corporation]]) between 1985 and 1997, when it reverted to the BFBS name.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=4DjvAAAAMAAJ&q=%22BFBS+TV%22+1997 ''Rundfunk und Fernsehen''], Volume 45, Nomos, 1997, page 339</ref>
Today it broadcasts live via [[Satellite television|satellite]]. DVDs are still sent to forces serving in more remote areas. There was also a service known as '''Navy TV''', which broadcast time-shifted versions of the channel to [[Royal Navy]] vessels around the world via [[military satellite]].<ref>[http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bfbs-buys-system/1089783.article BFBS buys system], ''[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]'', 4 March 2004</ref>

===Programmes===
Most programmes came from the BBC, ITV, [[Channel 4]], [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] and [[Sky plc|Sky]], including news from [[BBC News (British TV channel)|BBC News]], [[Sky News]] and [[ITN]], and sport from [[BBC Sport]] and [[Sky Sports]]. BFBS also has its own programmes, including the daily news bulletin programme ''Daily Forces News''.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Forces News |url=http://web202.ssvc.com/news/programmes/british-forces-news |url-status=dead |publisher=web202.ssvc.com |access-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214032015/http://web202.ssvc.com/news/programmes/british-forces-news |archive-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>

===Availability===
BFBS Television was broadcast in some areas as a terrestrial service in the clear using low-power transmitters to minimise "overspill" to non-service audiences and protect copyright.<ref name="The Vital Link">[https://books.google.com/books?id=gtSkAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22BFBS%22+television&pg=PA258 ''The Vital Link: The Story of Royal Signals 1945-1985''], Philip Warner, Pen and Sword, 1989 page 258</ref> Despite this, it could be received in [[West Berlin]],<ref>[https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22SSVC%22+%22or+tune+into+one+of+the+two+armed+forces%27+channels%22+%22West+Berlin%22&sca_esv=689b2325b95f8dd1&sca_upv=1&hl=en&tbm=bks&ei=PMN2ZpfgM6HAhbIPubu3kAU&ved=0ahUKEwiX7tzkmu-GAxUhYEEAHbndDVIQ4dUDCAk&uact=5&oq=%22SSVC%22+%22or+tune+into+one+of+the+two+armed+forces%27+channels%22+%22West+Berlin%22&gs_lp=Eg1nd3Mtd2l6LWJvb2tzIkkiU1NWQyIgIm9yIHR1bmUgaW50byBvbmUgb2YgdGhlIHR3byBhcm1lZCBmb3JjZXMnIGNoYW5uZWxzIiAiV2VzdCBCZXJsaW4iSJkaUOERWOERcAB4AJABAJgBbaABbaoBAzAuMbgBA8gBAPgBAvgBAZgCAKACAJgDAIgGAZIHAKAHdA&sclient=gws-wiz-books ''Berlin''], Andrew Gumbel, Cadogan Books, 1991, page 239</ref> and its listings were carried in local [[German language]] magazines.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=QJgjAQAAIAAJ&q=SSVC Zitty, Volume 18, Issues 17-19], Zitty Verlag GmbH, 1994</ref> However, the signal was largely confined to the British Sector, reflecting the situation with its American counterpart, [[American Forces Network|AFN TV]], whose signal was similarly limited to the American Sector.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=CNigAAAAMAAJ&q=%22are+able+to+enjoy+the%22 ''750 Years Berlin 1987: Information''], Presse und Informationsamt des Landes Berlin, 1987, page 85</ref>

Until 1997, it was also widely available in Cyprus, but its signal was encrypted or confined to the [[Sovereign Base Area]]s of [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=cUtpcm8JRXUC&q=%22BFBS%22+television ''Insight Guide Cyprus''], Julia Roles, Ingram Publishing Services, 1999, page 288</ref> Following complaints from local broadcasters like [[Lumiere TV]], which had bought local rights to show English [[association football|football]] and other programming,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/Apr%2002%201997%2C%20The%20Times%2C%20%2365853%2C%20UK%20%28en%29/page/n13/mode/2up?view=theater Cyprus telly addicts lose link to Britain], ''[[The Times]]'', 2 April 1997</ref> the decision was made to encrypt the signal, starting with [[Nicosia]] in April 1997 and ending with [[Larnaca]] and [[Limassol]] in May 1998.<ref>[http://www.hri.org/news/cyprus/cmnews/1998/98-05-10.cmnews.html#02 BFBS pulls the plug on Larnaca viewers], ''[[Cyprus Mail]]'' 10 May 1998</ref> The decision was criticised by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|MP]]s in an [[Early Day Motion]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Early day motion 775 – SSVC TV CYPRUS |url=http://www.parliament.uk/edm/1995-96/775 |website=UK Parliament |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> BFBS later ended terrestrial transmissions of its TV channel in Cyprus in January 2009.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160306074534/http://famagusta-gazette.com/bfbs-tv-in-cyprus-leaves-the-airwaves-p7216-69.htm BFBS TV in Cyprus leaves the airwaves], ''Famagusta Gazette'', 9 January 2009</ref>

However, as a result of [[card sharing]] by services personnel, BFBS TV (later BFBS 1) was available to unentitled viewers on the island, along with other channels until 2011, when an illegal pay-TV service was closed down in a joint operation by the [[Cyprus Police]] and the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance.<ref>[https://www.aapa.eu/joint-police-and-industry-action-brings-down-card-sharing-pirate Joint police and industry action brings down card sharing pirate], Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance, 21 June 2011</ref>

In the [[Falkland Islands]], SSVC TV was originally only available to entitled viewers in [[RAF Mount Pleasant|Mount Pleasant]], and when a repeater in [[Sapper Hill]] was installed by civilians to relay the signal to [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]] in 1988, it was shut down owing to issues related to broadcasting rights for US programming.<ref>[https://nationalarchives.gov.fk/jdownloads/Penguin%20News/1988%20to%201989.pdf TV Or Not TV: That Is The Question], ''[[Penguin News]]'', 4 November 1988</ref> It was only on Christmas Eve of that year that the service became available to civilian residents.<ref>[https://nationalarchives.gov.fk/jdownloads/Penguin%20News/1988%20to%201989.pdf SSVC Christmas & New Year Television], ''[[Penguin News]]'', 24 December 1988</ref> Initially this consisted of prerecorded programmes brought over on cassette from the UK, meaning that they were shown two weeks after the UK,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=lqAnAQAAMAAJ&q=bfbs ''A Little Piece of England''], [[Andrew Gurr]], John Blake, 2001, page 81</ref> However, in 1997, the channel, by now rebranded as BFBS, was broadcast via satellite, enabling news and sport to be shown on the same day as they had been shown in the UK, but [[Time shifting|timeshifted]] by three to four hours to take account of the time difference.<ref>[https://nationalarchives.gov.fk/jdownloads/Penguin%20News/1997%20September%20to%20December.pdf BFBS go live - almost], ''[[Penguin News]]'', 5 December 1997</ref> This expanded the civilian terrestrial TV service as part of a digital upgrade, which included BFBS 1 and BFBS 2.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Record of the meeting of the Legislative Assembly held on Friday 18 December 2009 |url=https://www.falklands.gov.fk/assets/Legislative-Assembly-Record-18.12.09.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517100505/https://www.falklands.gov.fk/assets/Legislative-Assembly-Record-18.12.09.pdf |archive-date=17 May 2013}}</ref> BFBS 1 and 2 also became available to civilian audiences in [[Tristan da Cunha]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Grundy |first=Richard |title=Tristan da Cunha Community News 2005 – 2011 |url=http://www.tristandc.com/newscommunity05-11.php |website=tristandc.com |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref>

British Forces and their families stationed at [[British Army Training Unit Suffield]] (BATUS), located at [[CFB Suffield|Canadian Forces Base Suffield]] in Canada, had access to BFBS 1, a limited amount of BFBS 2 and BFBS 3 and Sky News on a 7-hour timeshift from CET.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfbs.com/tv/country_guides/canada |title=Canada &#124; BFBS Television |publisher=BFBS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610182010/http://www.bfbs.com/tv/country_guides/canada |archive-date=10 June 2013}}</ref> During the day, the television channel that BFBS 2/3 broadcast on, played BFBS Radio 1.

===Content and channels===
Until 27 March 2013, there were five BFBS Television services:

*'''BFBS 1''' (launched in September 1975; formerly BFBS Television and SSVC Television) – general programming from chat shows to soap operas, dramas to news, documentaries to sport. Relayed the [[BBC News Channel]] overnight and was later replaced by [[BBC One]].
*'''BFBS 2''' (launched in 2001) – a six-hour block of general entertainment and sports programmes shown four times around the clock. Replaced by a variation of [[BBC Two]] and merged with BFBS 3 Kids.
*'''BFBS 3 Kids''' (launched in 2008) – children's programming and factual entertainment.
*'''BFBS 4''' (launched in May 2008) – movie channel with two films a day, each shown six times around the clock.
*'''BFBS 1 Day Later''' (launched in 2008) – time-shifted channel which aired programmes from the previous day later at peak time in Afghanistan.

A combined version of the four main channels, called '''BFBS Navy TV''', was available on some naval vessels.

In 2005, BFBS also began distributing commercial networks [[Kiss TV]] (previously [[Q (TV channel)|Q]]), [[Sky News]], [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports 1]] and [[Sky Sports|Sky Sports 2]] to certain areas. It also started a movie channel on 2 May 2008, using money that it saved following the [[Premier League]]'s decision to waive the £250,000 rights fee.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dowell |first=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/03/british-forces-broadcasting-service-redundancies |title=Forces' TV and radio set to cut 30 jobs |work=The Guardian |date=13 August 2007 |access-date=24 April 2013}}</ref>

In 2010, BFBS also added Nepali TV (a TV channel in the Nepali language, based in the UK) to its channel line-up for the benefit of Gurkha soldiers.<ref>[http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/201012109285/arqiva-adds-nepali-tv-to-ssvcs-british-forces-platforms.html Arqiva adds Nepali TV to SSVC’s British Forces platforms], [[Arqiva]], 10 December 2010</ref> This was replaced by [[Nepal Television]] (the state TV broadcaster of Nepal) on 1 March 2016.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/GurkhaRadio/photos/a.145174182201820.34128.141968062522432/1052874271431802/ Nepal TV to broadcast live on BFBS TV] (press release), SSVC (via Facebook)</ref>

====Service changes====
SSVC was awarded a new ten-year contract by the Ministry of Defence commencing on 1 April 2013. Fewer overseas troop deployments and reduced budgets resulted in a change to the previous TV service.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-forces-broadcasting-contract-begins UK Forces broadcasting contract begins], [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], 2 April 2013</ref>

Since 27 March 2013, BFBS TV has offered [[Time-shifting|timeshifted]] versions of [[BBC One]], [[BBC Two]], [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]], as well as two channels of its own. '''BFBS Extra''' offers a variety of entertainment programming from [[U&W]] (formerly Watch), [[U&Dave]], [[Sky One]], [[National Geographic Channel (UK)|National Geographic Channel]], [[ITV2]], [[ITV3|3]] and [[ITV4|4]], the [[History (European TV channel)|History Channel]], [[Sky Atlantic]] and previously [[Channel 4]] and [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]. '''BFBS Sport''' carries sport from [[BT Sport]] (replacing [[ESPN (UK)|ESPN]]), [[Sky Sports]], and [[Eurosport]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BFBS TV SET FOR A MAKEOVER ON 27TH MARCH – BFBS Radio |url=http://www.bfbs.com/radio/article/bfbs-tv-set-for-a-makeover-on-27th-march |url-status=dead |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603111429/http://www.bfbs.com/radio/article/bfbs-tv-set-for-a-makeover-on-27th-march |archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>

BBC Two carries children's programming from [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] and [[CBeebies]] until the late afternoon or early evening, while BFBS Extra 2 carries programming from [[Pop (British and Irish TV channel)|Pop]] until the evening. Additionally, the BBC One and ITV feeds are timeshifted to hit peak time in local time zones. Channel 4 and Channel 5 later became available as separate channels in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Access TV &#124; BFBS |url=https://www.bfbs.com/gettv |website=bfbs.com}}</ref>

====Forces TV====
On 10 June 2014, SSVC launched '''Forces TV''', a new channel aimed at the [[British Armed Forces]]. It was available on BFBS, Sky channel 181 in the United Kingdom only, Virgin Media channel 274 in the United Kingdom, Freeview channel 96, Freesat channel 165,<ref>{{cite web |title=Forces TV |url=https://www.forces.net/forces-tv |website=Forces Net |access-date=7 September 2020}}</ref> and on satellite Eutelsat 10A (10°E) alongside BFBS the Forces Station and on Astra2 satellite 28°E free-to-air. Its content was a mixture of news reports, entertainment, documentaries and features produced by BFBS. It was independent from the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and was funded through advertising and sponsorship.<ref>[http://www.thedrum.com/news/2014/06/10/forces-tv-will-be-essential-viewing-british-public-says-pm-david-cameron-channel Forces TV will be 'essential viewing' for British public, says PM David Cameron as channel launches], ''The Drum'', 10 June 2014</ref> On 30 June 2022, due to the loss of its Freeview channel slot, Forces TV closed down forever at 11:00am.

== BFBS Online ==
In recent years BFBS services have become available online, in order to allow British service personnel stationed all over the world to stay connect no matter how remote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BFBS for the armed forces {{!}} About BFBS |url=https://about.bfbs.com/bfbs-armed-forces |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=about.bfbs.com |language=en}}</ref> It is available through the BFBS website and App as well as other media platforms such as YouTube. The BFBS online services allow for free access to the BFBS Radio Service, Entertainment and Sports services, BFBS Forces News (Available also via its own website), Documentaries, Podcasts and inter-service sports competition coverage as well as other BFBS services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forces news and stories {{!}} About BFBS |url=https://about.bfbs.com/forces-news |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=about.bfbs.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Literature ==
* Alan Grace: ''This Is the British Forces Network. The Story of Forces Broadcasting in Germany''. Stroud (1996) {{ISBN|0-7509-1105-0}}
* Alan Grace: ''The Link With Home. 60 Years of Forces Radio''. Chalfont (2003) {{ISBN|0-9522135-1-6}}
* Doreen Taylor: ''A Microphone and a Frequency. Forty Years of Forces Broadcasting''. London (1983) {{ISBN|0-434-75710-1}} and {{ISBN|0-434-75711-X}}
* Oliver Zöllner: ''BFBS: 'Freund in der Fremde'. British Forces Broadcasting Service (Germany) – der britische Militärrundfunk in Deutschland''. Göttingen (1996) [in German] {{ISBN|3-89588-632-7}}.
* Oliver Zöllner: "Forces Broadcasting: A 'Friend' Abroad", in ''Communications'', Vol. 21 (1996), issue 4, pp.&nbsp;447–466 ISSN 0341-2059.
* Peter McDonagh: ''Me and Thirteen Tanks: Tales of a Cold War Freelance Spy''. London (2014) {{ISBN|978-1500307370}}.
* Ivor Wynne Jones: ''BFBS Cyprus: 1948–1998''. (1998) {{ISBN|978-0950335933}}.

== See also ==
* [[American Forces Network]]
* [[Canadian Forces Radio and Television]]
* [[Radio forces françaises de Berlin]]
* [[Radio Wolga]]
* [[BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme]]
* [[BBC Forces Programme]]
* [[BBC General Forces Programme]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Official website|https://www.bfbs.com/}}
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[[Category:Radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:International broadcasters]]
[[Category:Military of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Direct broadcast satellite services]]
[[Category:1943 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military broadcasting]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1943]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1975]]