On local and FM in the UK and around the Forces world. Listen to all of our stations online or download the BFBS app and stay in touch on the go.
More »Catch up on the programmes you’ve missed and listen again to original, award-winning BFBS content.
More »Send us your messages and shout out to family and friends, wherever they may be.
More »Take part in our Audience Satisfaction Survey and be entered into a free prize draw. You can enter twice in any 12-month period, so good luck!
More »Our TV, radio and digital news teams based in the UK and overseas cover a wide range of military events and activities
Our reporters in the UK and overseas bring you the latest news, comment and in-depth stories from operations and exercises.
More »Live events as they happen and our latest British Forces News programme keeping you up to date with the latest news and sport.
More »The Match, The Comedy, The Drama, The Action – right now. Unmissable TV which connects the British Forces and their families around the world
Since 1975, BFBS Television has been informing and entertaining those serving overseas with the very best of current UK output, achieved today in a mixture of up to 15 live and delayed channels, available worldwide.
More »The latest hits, perennial favourites, live sport and national events: our unique relationships with broadcasters, producers, rights holders and Hollywood form the basis of a carriage and compiled channel line-up, fully packaged and presented, including Forces News plus community and welfare messaging.
More »From our UK broadcast playout facility, we deliver to entitled personnel via satellite and online within a secure and closed network. For those serving outside of this reach, a bespoke DVD service is available.
More »Bringing the latest movies to HM Forces and their dependants in the UK and overseas
Our cinema team provides big screen entertainment to military venues around the world. Working closely with film studios, we negotiate and deliver the latest films to serving personnel and their families. Movies play an important role in supporting morale and welfare via a shared viewing experience.
More »Cinelink is a portable service exclusively for HM Forces and MOD civilians based in the UK, overseas, remote locations and operational theatres. Our device can be self-installed via a TV or projection equipment and enables you to screen films to your community on demand within 6-8 weeks of cinema release.
More »Our mobile facility, operating in partnership with Sky Cinema, provides free screenings to serving personnel and families based in the UK.
We will endeavour to fit in as many requests as we can, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information.
More »Your hands-on guide to receiving BFBS TV, Radio and other BFBS services, wherever you are across the globe
As a member of the British Forces you can access BFBS TV and Radio and other BFBS services wherever you are based across the globe. BFBS TV and Radio is available via satellite, local transmission systems and streamed on the internet. Find out how to enjoy these services here.
More »How you get BFBS depends on your location and the accommodation you’re in. Your quarters may have satellite dishes or cable points and all you need to do is plug in a TV. Or you may need to collect a BFBS set top box and get your viewing card authorised.
Alternatively the BFBS Player and Radio App is available if you have good internet connection.
If you're heading to a new location on Ops or exercise, you may need to plan in advance. Ships at sea? We've got that covered too. Whichever way, we're here to help.
More »Need help connecting to BFBS TV and Radio services? Want to know the local FM frequency for BFBS Radio? Satellite viewing card expired? Want to know what devices you can use to get BFBS TV and Radio?
All this information, and more, can be found in our FAQs, and if you still have questions please contact our Service Desk, our contact details are also here.
More »107.3 FM—Green Mountain
100.9 FM—Travellers Hill
107.5 FM—HKIA / HQRS / Qargha
107.6 FM—Casteau
107.7 FM—Shape
94.3 FM—Belize
102 FM—Butmir Camp
96.3 FM—BFBS Radio
90.7 FM—BFBS East
103 FM—Bielefeld, DTelekom
101.7 FM—Seria
104.1 FM—Suffield Chat-TV
98.1 FM—Suffield A-Line
89.9 FM—Akrotirti
107.3 FM—Ayios Nikolaos
91.7 FM—Nicosia, UNPA
99.6 FM—Richmond
102.4 FM—Byron Heights
102.4 FM—Mount Alilce
102.4 FM—Mount Kent
98.5 FM—MPA West
106.2 FM—Mount Sussex
106.8 FM—Mount William
101.6 FM—Port Howard
91.1 FM—Sapper Hill
93.5 FM—Oyster Cottage
97.8 FM—O'Haras Battery
106.5 FM—Aldergrove
101 FM—Holywood
100.6 FM—Lisburn
98.5 FM—Edinburgh (Dreghorn)
87.7 FM—Fort George
87.7 FM—Inverness
CSE has been providing exceptional entertainment to the British military worldwide since 1946. Our bespoke approach to versatile and dynamic event and live entertainment solutions means we can always pull a gig out of the bag, no matter what gets thrown at us!
More »We're a charity, so if you engage our services you’ll be helping to fund beneficiary projects such as shows for wounded, injured and sick service personnel or entertainment for the families and children of deployed personnel.
More »Did you know we can provide entertainment solutions for all your events? We know what you need to make your Mess function a success. From Families’ Days to Medal Parades, Summer Balls and Christmas Parties, we have a range to solutions to suit you.
More »As well as bands, comedians, dancers and celebrity appearances synonymous with CSE, we also provide children's entertainers and mascots, close-up magicians, inflatables, fairground rides and all the elements of stage production.
Our advice comes free, so whatever you’re planning, from large scale events requiring a fully managed turnkey solution, or simply a band for your Mess function, get in touch now.
More »Experts in producing engaging content, with instructors dedicated to giving you the tools to create your own
From digital content creation and advanced editing to storytelling and social media skills, our practical media courses will give you the confidence and knowledge to communicate your brand message effectively and grow your business.
More »Our team of renowned producers, presenters, video journalists and camera operators are experts in creating engaging promos, adverts, documentaries, features, live broadcasts, messaging videos and social media clips using our modern studios, editing suites and OB vehicles.
More »Our discreet tutors can provide tailored short or long term support such as senior coaching, mentoring for communications staff, strategic campaign planning, content production, media interview techniques, crisis comms and simpress.
More »The Digital Development Programme is designed to support organisations awarded funds local grants through the Armed Forces Covenant. Combining a two day course, with online learning, and a twice yearly conference, this programme is designed to upskill participants in social media, communications, and governance skills.
If you’ve received an Armed Forces Covenant local grant, please click here for more information on how to access the programme.
Find Out More »Digital advice in plain English to help you understand social media
We've had to transform for the digital age and we can help you do the same. Our security cleared professionals understand the media, government and charitable sectors. So if you want to reach different audiences, or just need some Plain English advice then do get in touch with us at the Digital Agency.
We can run your social media accounts
Reach youth or niche audiences
Digital campaigning
Coaching, guidance and digital audits
Go ‘digital first’
Content Production
We worked alongside a major government department’s communications team to build digital skills. We helped them create and deliver a social media strategy, and taught their communicators how to create effective, engaging social media content.
Clarion Events asked us to run their social media accounts for their flagship event. We created bespoke content for them, had creatives at the event itself and helped raise their profile within the industry. We delivered an 80% bigger audience for them compared to their previous event and continue to manage their accounts for the next one.
The Forces Pension Society asked us to audit their digital efforts and provide guidance on how to make the most out of their social media channels. We spent time with their team and helped them identify the tools, training and content they needed to succeed.
“We were absolutely delighted with the service we received from SSVC; they very quickly developed an instinctive understanding of our business and how far we have got with our own digital effort; and they offered practical and constructive ideas for how we could raise out game. Throughout they were engaged, expert and encouraging, and we felt they were on our side—we could not have asked for anything more.”
SSVC has for many years developed products and systems to serve the UK Armed Forces.
We now offer these and our services to other customers.
MiPlayer is a media platform streaming live, catch-up and on-demand content. Media includes TV, radio, movies, publications and training courses. It allows users access on their personal devices via wifi without needing internet access. Content can be uploaded via DVB or plug in storage as well as trickle fed via an internet connection if available.
There are many possible applications and MiPlayer is compatible with any radio and TV services and so can be deployed on military or civilian ships or indeed on land in disconnected or poorly connected locations such as remote village or island communities with poor or no internet connection. Also ideal to deploy following a natural disaster when terrestrial infrastructure has been lost.
Get the MiPlayer overview »One key area in which MiPlayer can help is with telcos providing internet capacity to remote areas. MiPlayer can be used to locally insert media content at points of presence reducing the demand on the backhaul.
Read our white paper "Exploring the Edge - telcos"
SSVC Media Innovation can deliver communication connectivity such as internet via satellite or terrestrial means in pretty much any location. We can also deliver local IP telephony solutions which are rapidly deployed – especially useful in disaster scenarios.
Get in touch with Media Innovation »Service Leavers and Veterans Offered Free Media Course
Creative Media Production — Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Please note that the application process for the Forces Media Academy HNC course in Creative Media Production is open, visit Forces Media Academy website
We design and build technology for international communications and broadcast infrastructure projects
Forces Broadcast Technology engineers have designed, built and commissioned a wide range of broadcast and communication systems infrastructure across the globe. We specialise in delivering media content, deploy in difficult and remote locations and—since we’ve been doing this since 1943—we understand the challenge.
We use the latest technologies including IP and international broadcast standards to ensure compatibility with consumer equipment. Take a look at our case study examples of successfully completed projects. Future projects are limited only by your imagination…
Get in touch to discuss your requirements and discover how the Forces Broadcast Technology team can help you communicate and broadcast across the globe, expand your reach and solve your problem.
More »MODAL or “MoD Archive Library” is a powerful new online digital archive that has gone into service with the Ministry of Defence and may be made available to other Broadcasters and Production Companies.
There are thirty years’ worth of Military and Defence archive footage in our library, produced by our News Teams. Material is added to the new system every day.
MODAL incorporates a state of the art Digital Asset Management System principally for video, but audio, still images and documents can also be handled. Its uses may include training, social media, command information messaging and programme-making.
BFBS TV Cameras have been covering stories involving and about the British Forces for more than 30 years right across the globe. The archive spans some of the most momentous military events in UK history, ranging from the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, the conflict in the Balkans, the intervention in Kosovo, the Iraq War in 2003 and subsequent coalition operations, to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.
Our older material was archived on tape and disks, both analogue and digital, which are still stored in our climatically controlled, secure storage at our Headquarters. For the past twelve years our stories and camera footage have been stored digitally and can be viewed on desktops.
Now we have launched MODAL—the “MOD Archive Library”—a powerful on-line digital archive which has gone into service with the Directorate of Defence Communications. It's expected MODAL will be extended to other areas of the MOD across the three services, providing a state of the art Digital Asset Management System principally for video, but audio, still images and documents can also be handled.
Its uses could include training, social media, command information messaging and programme-making. It's a specialist digital military archive run by people who know the military better than anyone else.
Our TV News service began with ‘Exercise Lionheart’ in 1984 and led to ‘Scene Here’, a monthly programme of Forces News broadcast only to the military audience in Germany. Over the years it developed into a daily programme tailored to a worldwide audience.
It's now grown into Forces TV, with full coverage of Military News seven days a week broadcast to the whole of the UK as well as to the forces overseas. We have a treasure trove of unique footage in the archive, and of course each day we're adding fresh material and news stories.
The library may soon be made available to Broadcasters and Production companies to help them with programmes they’re making about Defence and the Military.
For more information about the BFBS Archive, email us at modal@ssvc.com.
Raising funds and awareness for Forces charities
The BFBS Big Salute is an annual campaign that raises vital funds for armed forces charities.
The BFBS Big Salute is completely separate to grants awarded under SSVC's Welfare Fund scheme.
We will be inviting armed forces charities to apply for the next round of grants in April 2020.
Most recently, the BFBS Big Salute has awarded grants to nine charities: Building Heroes, Bournemouth Memorial Homes, Clervaux Trust, AF&V Launchpad, Our Wilton Trust, Royal Air Forces Association, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, Scotty's Little Soldiers and Winchester Sea Cadets.
More »If you would like to fundraise for the annual BFBS Big Salute campaign there are loads of ways to get involved. See some recent events and other ways to donate, such as buying a wristband or via JustGiving.
More »The BFBS Big Salute raises money to benefit members of the armed forces community and their families. Monies are raised and donated through activities undertaken by audiences of the radio, TV and digital platforms, as well as SSVC staff. 100% of all money raised for the Big Salute goes into the fund—running costs are not deducted.
From April 2017, the proceeds of the previous year's fundraising activity will be awarded by way of specific grants for projects which fulfil the criteria laid out below:
Grant recipients agree to:
In the event that the grant recipient is unable to deliver or complete the project, the Big Salute Grant Committee must be notified and the grant must be returned to the Big Salute.
A charity may submit one application in each financial year (April–March).
A committee of SSVC staff and representatives who have been directly involved in raising funds for the Big Salute, will meet at least once per year to apportion monies. They will consider all applications on merit, impact and measurable outcomes and make the awards accordingly. The committees’ decision is final.
Feedback will be available for unsuccessful applicants.
The next round of applications will open in April 2020.
Show your support with a Big Salute wristband.
Give a one-off or monthly donation via JustGiving.
Text BIGS00 plus the amount you want to donate, e.g. £5, to 70070 to donate to the BFBS Big Salute and make a difference today.
You can recycle your old CDs, DVDs, games, clothes or electronics and raise money for the BFBS Big Salute at the same time with musicMagpie!
Raise money for the BFBS Big Salute simply by shopping online. It's easy to create a free account.
Falkland Islands
£660 was raised for the Big Salute from registration fees at the annual Midwinter Swim in Surf Bay. Hundreds took a quick dip in the South Atlantic Ocean and earned themselves a certificate of lunacy in the process. A huge thanks to everyone who braved the water and the organisers for making the Big Salute one of their chosen charities.
Salisbury Plain UK
Salisbury Plain Presenter, Chris Sturgess, received a cheque for £100 for the Big Salute from Lt Colonel Richard Forster – CO of 19 Regiment Royal Artillery – in return for his time as a presenter at a recent regimental event.
Canada
Six teams from the BATUS Hockey League took to the ice for the Big Salute Hockey Day. The annual event raised a whopping CAD 3,800, and the Black Oilers took top spot after beating the Orange Oilers 3-2 in the final.
Salisbury Plain UK
BFBS Salisbury Plain Presenter, Chris Sturgess, provided the 'voice' for the AGC's 25th birthday celebrations in Tidworth. As a 'thank you' on behalf of the RHQ, Captain Jess Beck handed Chris a donation of £100 for the Big Salute.
United Kingdom
An impressive £3,000 was raised by a team of nine from the RBL Rainworth, Blidworth and District Branch when they completed the Three Peaks 24 Hour Challenge. The money was divided between the Big Salute and the RBL.
Every division within the SSVC organisation is important to Service personnel and their families - whether Radio, News, Television or Entertainment. The SSVC Welfare Fund is no exception. On average, SSVC makes grants totalling around a quarter of a million pounds each year. The SSVC Welfare Fund scheme is completely separate to grants offered by the BFBS Big Salute.
More »Grants cover a very wide range of projects, from equipment for service families to keep in touch with loved ones on ops; the digitisation of forces cinemas; welfare centres and children's play areas on bases; expeditions and adventurous training, to television and audio equipment on ships and submarines.
The Trustees react to requests for funds as quickly as possible. Bids can be made by individual units or by a higher formation on behalf of units.
The Welfare grant amenity is another link in the vital SSVC chain whose sole aim is to provide support and welfare for our Armed Forces wherever they are and whatever they are doing around the world.
SSVC Welfare Grant funding has been established by the Charity to finance welfare and recreational amenities, activities and projects, which directly or indirectly contribute to operational effectiveness.
Priority for the provision of funds will be accorded to those serving on, preparing for, or recovering from operations and those living in isolated or arduous conditions.
However, consideration for funding will also be considered to support other requirements such as the home bases, which contribute to operational effectiveness by enhancing morale, as well as sponsorship of adventure training and tri-Service sport as long as each request is accompanied by a letter of approval from the appropriate Service Adventure Training authority or the Combined Services Sports Board.
Applications should be made through the following channels:
All other applications should be directed to the parent Command as appropriate. They in turn should forward applications, with their recommendation and any additional comments to:
The Secretaryor emailed to welfarefund@ssvc.com.
Units should not normally correspond directly with SSVC about grants except when acknowledging receipt.
Requests for grants are to be submitted on headed paper and include the following:
NOTE: The Trustees will not reimburse an application for any costs incurred in anticipation of SSVC's approval.
Letters of acknowledgement and/or photographs (where appropriate) of grants received should be sent by all recipients to the Secretary of SSVC Welfare Grants at the above address. SSVC and their auditors will use these letters as official confirmation that the grants have actually benefited those for whom they are intended.
Any further information such as the date of arrival of the item or facility is also welcomed by the Trustees, both for use in SSVC's Annual Report as well as advertising SSVC Welfare Grants' activities.
Where at all feasible, all items or facilities provided by grants from SSVC are to be suitably labelled, engraved or fitted with a commemorative plaque by the parent unit, acknowledging SSVC's involvement. SSVC will automatically provide labels for smaller items. A permanent record of items should be kept on miscellaneous stores account to enable the items to be used in the future.
Where the recipient cannot use an item provided by an SSVC Welfare Grant (either because the item is lying idle, the unit has been disbanded or suchlike) the Trustees prefer that the item be transferred to another unit or, as a last resort, is sold. If an item is sold the appropriate proportion of the proceeds should be returned by cheque made payable to 'SSVC' through Command Headquarters.
The Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC) was formed in 1982 from the merger of the Services Kinema Corporation (SKC) and the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). The organisation was founded on a single aim: To serve those who serve.
Contact Us »SSVC is a private company limited by guarantee - there are no shareholders. The company is a self-supporting registered charity whose annual surpluses, after deducting an amount needed to sustain operational needs, are donated as welfare support for the Armed Forces. These donations are allocated to specific projects and make life more enjoyable for Service personnel and their families around the world.
More »SSVC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality in all aspects of employment, including recruitment.
Recruitment is monitored regularly to ensure that individuals are employed on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.
All our external vacancies are advertised on our website.
Find Out More »Chairman
Vice Chairman
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
CEO