In April 1930 the Development section of the BBC became the Research Department. The department as it stands today was formed in 1993 from the merger of the BBC Designs Department and the BBC Research Department. From 2006 to 2008 it was known as
Research and Innovation but has since reverted to its original name.
BBC Research & Development has made major contributions to
broadcast technology, carrying out original research in many areas, and developing items like the
peak programme meter (PPM) which became the basis for many world standards.
Innovations It has also been involved in many well-known consumer technologies such as
teletext,
DAB,
NICAM and
Freeview. It was at the forefront of the development of
FM radio, stereo FM, and
RDS. These innovations have led to
Queen's Awards for Innovation in 1969, 1974, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2001 and 2011. In the 1970s, its engineers designed the famous
LS3/5A studio monitor for use in
outside broadcasting units. Licensed to manufacturers, the loudspeaker sold 100,000 pairs in its 20+ years' life.
Closure of Kingswood Warren and move to London and Salford In early 2010 the department had approximately 135 staff based at three locations: White City in London, Kingswood Warren in
Kingswood, Surrey, and the R&D (North Lab) at the BBC's Manchester offices at
New Broadcasting House, Oxford Road,
Manchester. In early 2010 the Kingswood Warren site was vacated and the bulk of the department relocated to Centre House, in
White City, London co-locating with the main campus of the BBC in London, whilst a significant number have moved to the new North Lab in
MediaCityUK in
Salford. BBC R&D has more than 200 employees in their UK labs. ==Future projects==