Press enquiries
±«Óãtv Pictures provides editorial image content to print and digital press based in the UK, Ireland or the Benelux to publicise the ±«Óãtv and its current and forthcoming Television and Radio programmes via its free (password protected) website service, .
Staff members of UK, Irish or Benelux-based press outlets, ie picture editors, picture researchers and journalists, can apply for access to the website. Registration eligibility is subject to terms and conditions and therefore not an automatic guarantee. ±«Óãtv Pictures reserves the right to provide only one login and password account for each publication/website and preference will be given to picture desks.
Freelance professional photographers
±«Óãtv Pictures commissions stills photography covering all ±«Óãtv programme genres in TV and radio as well as live events, children's and corporate.
Professional photographers who wish to be considered for a commission by ±«Óãtv Pictures should submit their CV and website portfolio to pictures@bbc.co.uk for the picture teams to view. An invitation from ±«Óãtv Pictures to show portfolio and discuss work is dependent on project availability and suitability.
±«Óãtv Pictures is especially keen to see new work from photographers based outside London.
Independent production companies
As part of the deliverables required by the ±«Óãtv, production companies must provide a set of professionally taken promotional stills as explained on .
Before filming starts it is highly recommended that you contact ±«Óãtv Pictures at pictures@bbc.co.uk to discuss the requirements as detailed in the commissioning specification document. This will clarify any issues which may arise and will also enable you to contact the relevant supporting picture team.
Any other queries about acquiring pictures/logos from the ±«Óãtv, check
±«Óãtv Photo Library
The ±«Óãtv Photo Library holds more than six million images. This collection dates back to 1922 and charts the ±«Óãtv's rich TV and radio broadcasting history. From The Archers to Z-Cars, a dedicated team of Photo Library media managers will happily assist with any research and licensing enquiries. Please note that charges apply to this service.
±«Óãtv copyright images can be licensed for editorial re-use across the media industry. The Photo Library is able to deal with UK and international requests for archive material.
Unfortunately, the Photo Library is unable to provide images for commercial exploitation or personal use.
For all ±«Óãtv archive photo enquiries the Photo Library Team can be contacted at photo.library@bbc.co.uk.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm UK time (excluding Bank Holidays).
The Photo Library also runs a that offers 24 hour access to a range of ±«Óãtv copyright images available to license for editorial use by registered business customers and is regularly updated with recent publicity material and archive content.
Registered customers can carry out their own research, browse content, create lightboxes, download previews and license high resolution images at a time convenient to them.
New customers will be able to register on the site here:
International Pictures
This service deals mainly with requests from international press (excluding Ireland and Benelux), supporting ±«Óãtv programmes that have been sold overseas by ±«Óãtv Worldwide.
For any ±«Óãtv programme currently being broadcast, press should go direct to the broadcaster's press office for images.
International Pictures' opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm UK time (excluding Bank Holidays) and they can be contacted at internationalpictures@bbc.co.uk.
In Pictures
In Pictures – – is the section of the ±«Óãtv News website that celebrates quality photojournalism from professionals and amateurs. It produces a range of daily picture galleries containing some of the latest news photos as well as photographic features and audio slideshows.
The photos are primarily sourced from the news picture wires and ±«Óãtv staff, but In Pictures regularly commissions freelance photographers as well as using contributions from its readers.
In addition the Picture Editor writes a photo blog – – that explores the world of photojournalism, photos in the news and ±«Óãtv News' use of photographs. There is also a weekly theme asking readers to submit pictures and a selection of these are published every Thursday.
In Pictures can be contacted at inpictures@bbc.co.uk