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Monday, February 05, 2024

Celebrating 100 Years of the ‘Pips’

 


Published by t_thornes
February 5, 2024

It was on 5th February 1924, at 9.30pm, that the iconic BBC ‘pips’ were broadcast for the first time. Serving as a time signal for 100 years, the six distinctive pips are still broadcast on flagship BBC stations BBC Radio 4 (formerly BBC Home Service) and BBC World Service at the top of each hour to this day. However, the pips remain an accurate time signal only on analog broadcasts such as FM and longwave because of the considerable – and variable – delay on digital signals such as DAB radio and online streaming.

Live broadcasting is an important part of the BBC’s output, with around 50% of programs on Radio 4 being transmitted live rather than pre-recorded. The BBC prides itself in providing up-to-date news coverage throughout the day across its radio networks, and in-depth reporting from sporting events such as Wimbledon tennis and Test Match cricket. It also produces world-class coverage of national events such as the King’s Coronation in 2023.