BBC and CNN are two of the world’s top new broadcasting services, and in this article, we have discussed the differences between the BBC vs CNN.
The BBC was originally founded in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, before it changed its name to the British Broadcasting Corporation on January 1, 1927.
The BBC was founded over a hundred years ago, whereas the Cable News Network (CNN) was founded in 1980. CNN is an American multinational news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, while the BBC is a British public service broadcaster headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
BBC and CNN are new channels that have expanded globally and currently have channels in other parts of the world.
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was originally established as the British Broadcasting Company on October 18, 1922. The British public service broadcaster adopted its current name on January 1, 1927.
Headquartered in London, the BBC is the oldest and largest local and global broadcaster by number of employees- employing over 21,000 staff—the public service broadcaster is also the oldest largest broadcaster by stature.
The British Broadcasting Corporation was founded under a royal charter. According to Wikipedia, the BBC currently operates under an agreement with the secretary of state for culture, media and sports.
An annual television licence fee funds the work of the BBC. The British Government sets the fee, which is unanimously agreed by parliament. The fee is used to fund the BBC’s TV, radio, and online services across England and the entire United Kingdom.
The annual television licence fee has also funded the BBC World Service- a service that broadcasts in 28 languages and offers TV, radio, and online services in Arabic and Persian.
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CNN (Cable News Network)
CNN is an American multinational news channel that was founded on June 1, 1980. The new channel is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and was established by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld.
CNN is a news channel established as a 24-hour cable news channel. Presently, the new channel is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
The news channel was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage. CNN was also the first all-news television channel in the United States.
Since its establishment in 1980, CNN has become a top news channel, owning several news channels across the world.
According to Wikipedia, CNN had more than 80 million television household subscribers in the United States as of February 2023. According to Nielsen, the news channel was ranked third in viewership in June 2021-0 only behind Fox News and MSNBC.
CNN programming has aired in over 200 countries, including U.S. territories. It airs through CNN International, seen by millions of viewers worldwide.
CNN (US) is the American version that is also available in Canada and some Caribbean islands. CNN-News18 is the news channel broadcasting in India, while the Japanese version of CNN International is CNNj, launched on March 1, 2003.
BBC vs CNN: Key Difference between BBC and CNN
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the premier news organization headquartered in London, England. Established in the 1920s, the BBC is the oldest largest and largest local and global broadcaster by number of employees.
CNN is an American multinational news channel that was founded on June 1, 1980. The new channel is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and was established by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld.
The BBC and CNN are two of the most influential international media organizations in the world. The BBC was first established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company before it became the British Broadcasting Corporation on New Year’s Day in 1927.
The BBC is the world’s oldest national broadcasting organization established under a royal charter. The BBC’s funding comes from a licence fee charged to all UK households with a television.
The fee was unanimously agreed by parliament to fund the BBC’s TV, radio, and online services across England and the entire United Kingdom.
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BBC vs CNN: More Differences
The BBC currently operates under an agreement with the secretary of state for culture, media and sports.
CNN was founded as a 24-hour cable news channel. Presently, the new channel is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
The new channel was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage. CNN was also the first all-news television channel in the United States. The American news channel primarily focuses on news, politics, and recent events.
CNN operates a for-profit entity generating revenue through cable television subscription fees, advertising, and licensing of its content to other broadcasters.
The British Broadcasting Corporation is widely recognized for its news coverage. The BBC’s news coverage informs the public on the latest news on education, business, entertainment, technology, sports, and lifestyle.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service radio broadcast in different languages, reaching out to millions of listeners worldwide.
CNN was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage. It was also the first all-news television channel in the United States.
CNN programming has aired in over 200 countries, including U.S. territories. It airs through CNN International, seen by millions of viewers worldwide.
CNN (US) is the American version that is also available in Canada and in some Caribbean islands. CNN-News18 is the news channel broadcasting in India, while the Japanese version of CNN International is CNNj, launched on March 1, 2003.
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BBC vs CNN: Comparison Chart
| British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) | Cable News Network (CNN) | |
| Origin and base | British and originally established in 1922 | American and established in 1980 |
| Content focus | News, education, technology, and entertainment. | Primarily news and current events |
| Funding | Publicly funded through a license fee | Commercially funded through advertising and subscription |
| Operational mandate | Public service broadcaster | For-profit news organization |
| Global reach | BBC World Service for global radio and the BBC World News for television | CNN International for global television coverage |
BBC vs CNN: Coverage
The BBC is one of the most influential media organizations in the world. it’s the world’s largest news organization that provides news on education, entertainment, and technology via domestic radio and several television networks.
The public receives the BBC’s news coverage through the BBC News, BBC Parliament, and BBC World News. BBC’s other services include BBC Red Button, BBC News Online, and Ceefax.
The BB also offers mobile news services, desktop, email, and digital TV alerts.
CNN is also a global news channel that provides services to more than 80 million households in the United States.
The American version sometimes called CNN (US) is also available in Canada and in some Caribbean islands. CNN programming has aired in over 210 countries, and in other U.S. territories.
It’s rated as the second most widely watched cable news channel in the United States, with millions of viewers.
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BBC vs CNN: Other Services
The BBC offers a number of online services like its news websites. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, their website is the most popular content-based website in Europe.
The Red Button is an interactive digital television service offered by the BBC. The service is available through Freeview, Freesat, Sky Digital, and Virgin Media.
CNN also offers a number of paid subscription services, free live broadcasts, and online activities.
Conclusion
BBC and CNN are international media outlets that offer services to millions of viewers across the world. While the BBC World Service radio broadcast in different languages, reaching out to millions of listeners worldwide, CNN launched a radio version of their TV programming in 2014.
BBC and CNN are the two most influential media organizations worldwide, reaching out to millions of viewers and listeners.
