The BBC has no private or corporate owner; it is a public corporation established by Royal Charter.
Legal status
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is a UK public service broadcaster set up as a public corporation under a Royal Charter rather than as a company with shareholders. This means it is formally independent of direct government ownership while still operating within a framework set by the state.
Who it is “owned” by
Because it has no shareholders, the BBC is often described as being owned by the public, with its governance and mission defined in the Royal Charter and related agreements. Its primary stakeholder is the British public, who fund most of its activities through the TV licence fee and are the audience it is required to serve.
Government and board role
The UK government sets the terms of the Royal Charter and the level and structure of the licence fee, which gives it significant influence over the BBC’s framework but not day‑to‑day editorial decisions. Strategic oversight is provided by the BBC Board, whose members (including the chair) are appointed through processes involving government, while content regulation is carried out by Ofcom.
