The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current state with its current name on New Year's Day 1927. It is the oldest and largest local and global broadcaster by stature and by number of employees, with a total staff of 21,000.
The BBC was established under a royal charter, and operates under an agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.