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BBC Books
BBC Books
BBC Books
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BBC Books (also formerly known as BBC Consumer Publishing and BBC Publishing) is an imprint majority-owned and managed by Penguin Random House through its Ebury Publishing division. The minority shareholder is BBC Studios, the commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The imprint has been active since the 1980s.

Key Information

BBC Books publishes a range of books connected to BBC radio and television programming, including cookery, natural history, lifestyle, and behind the scenes "making-of" books. There are also some non-programme related biographies and autobiographies of various well-known personalities in its list.

Amongst BBC Books' best known titles are cookery books by former TV cook Delia Smith, wildlife titles by Sir David Attenborough and gardening titles by Alan Titchmarsh. In the BBC Publishing days, it turned down The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,[1] a book which has now sold over 14,000,000 copies worldwide.

Doctor Who

[edit]

Since 1996, BBC Books has also produced a range of tie-in novels connected to the television science-fiction series Doctor Who, the only full-length fiction to be printed by the company. Their first release related to the series was a novelisation of the 1996 Doctor Who telemovie published in the spring of 1996. Then, in 1997, BBC Books launched two concurrent series of books, the Eighth Doctor Adventures (EDA) (featuring the then-current incarnation of the Doctor), and the Past Doctor Adventures (PDA), featuring the seven previous incarnations. Between 1997 and 2005 approximately 150 original novels were published for both lines, combined. BBC Books also launched a short-lived line of Doctor Who-related short story collections called Short Trips; Big Finish Productions later obtained the rights to publish the Short Trips books and that series continues as of 2010.

In 2005, BBC Books began to phase out the EDA and PDA lines as it launched a new series of books (informally dubbed the New Series Adventures) based upon the newly revived television series. Featuring the Ninth Doctor, the new books were published in hardback (as opposed to the EDA, PDA and Short Trips lines that were exclusively paperback releases). The Eighth Doctor line was discontinued during the summer of 2005, followed by the final Past Doctor Adventure in November. Beginning in 2006, BBC Books continued the New Series Adventures, now featuring the Tenth Doctor, with no word (as of September 2009) whether any more Past Doctor Adventures are planned. The books continue to be published in hardback, with the exception of four novellas, I Am a Dalek, Made of Steel, Revenge of the Judoon and Code of the Krillitanes, which are paperback releases under a series called Quick Reads. The 4th novella still featured the tenth doctor David Tennant, even though the eleventh has made his TV appearance.

In January 2007, BBC Books launched a new line of original novels based upon the Doctor Who spin-off series, Torchwood. These books are also being published exclusively in hardcover and, like the TV series itself, are aimed at an older audience.

In May 2008, BBC Books issued its first original made-for-audio Doctor Who adventure, Pest Control, which was released as part of the Tenth Doctor Adventures line and read by David Tennant. The Audiobook of the Year 2010 was a Tenth Doctor adventure called Dead Air by James Goss and read by David Tennant.

Being Human

[edit]

In 2010, a series of three Being Human novels were published by BBC Books. These novels describe the adventures of the three main characters Annie Sawyer, George Sands and John Mitchell of the BBC Three television series Being Human and are written by Simon Guerrier, Mark Michalowski and James Goss.[2][3] All novels were also released as audiobooks. The Road was read by Lenora Crichlow, Chasers by Russell Tovey and Bad Blood by Lucy Gaskell.

New ownership

[edit]

In 2006, the Ebury Publishing division of Random House acquired a majority shareholding in BBC Books.[4]

Sherlock Holmes

[edit]

In 2011, BBC Books launched a publishing programme around BAFTA-winning TV series, Sherlock, which was inspired by the adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian detective Sherlock Holmes. The titles will each feature the show's branding and introductions by key members of the Sherlock team, including co-founders Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.[5]

The first title, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock: A Study in Scarlet, with an introduction by Steven Moffat was released on 15 September 2011.[6] Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, with an introduction by Mark Gatiss, followed on 27 October 2011.[7]

Three books Sherlock: Sign of Four, Sherlock: The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock: The Hound of the Baskervilles with introductions by Martin Freeman, Steve Thompson and Benedict Cumberbatch were released on 29 March 2012.[8][9][10]

In autumn 2012, BBC Books published Sherlock: The Casebook as a hardback gift guide, revisiting all the mysteries solved throughout the TV series.[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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BBC Books

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
BBC Books is a British publishing imprint specializing in titles and books related to , radio programmes, and personalities. Established as the book publishing arm of in the 1980s, it has produced companion guides, novelizations, and standalone works drawing on content. In 2006, the (now part of ) acquired a majority shareholding from , integrating it into the division while retained a minority shareholding. Today, BBC Books is recognized as one of the United Kingdom's leading imprints, focusing on categories such as , gardening, history, , , and popular franchises like . Notable publications include cookbooks by celebrities like Delia Smith and extensive series of Doctor Who novels and audio adventures, which have sold millions of copies worldwide.

History

Founding and early development

BBC Publishing's books division emerged in the early 1970s, initially operating from offices in Birmingham before expanding alongside the BBC's growth in television production. This department focused on creating non-fiction publications tied to BBC radio and television programming, particularly instructional guides in areas such as cookery and natural history. Early efforts emphasized accessible, behind-the-scenes content that complemented on-air broadcasts, helping to extend the reach of popular shows into print formats. Among the first major authors were culinary expert and naturalist , whose works highlighted practical and educational themes. Smith's initial BBC-linked booklets, part of The Delia Smith Collection series accompanying her BBC2 television programs, were released in 1978, 1979, and 1981; these slim, affordable paperbacks, priced at 45p, introduced basic cooking techniques to a wide audience. Attenborough's books, such as Life on Earth (1979), drew from his landmark BBC series to provide detailed narratives, blending scientific insight with visual references from the broadcasts. These publications underscored the division's emphasis on instructional material that demystified complex topics for general readers. A notable early misstep occurred in the late 1970s when declined to publish a of ' radio series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, despite its origins; the project was instead taken up by , where it became a bestseller with over 14 million copies sold worldwide. By the early , the division formalized its identity as the BBC Books imprint, marking a shift toward a more structured publishing operation under .

Key milestones and expansions

BBC Books began its pivot toward fiction publishing in 1996, launching novelizations with The Novel of the Film by , a to the telemovie that introduced as the . This marked the imprint's entry into extended narrative fiction, shifting from its foundational emphasis on non-fiction works to capitalize on BBC's iconic franchise. During the 2000s, BBC Books experienced substantial growth in output, publishing numerous novels through series like the (73 novels from 1997 to 2005) and Past Doctor Adventures (61 novels from 1997 to 2005), which expanded the universe with original stories featuring multiple Doctors and companions. This period saw diversification into broader genres within fiction, aligning with BBC's growing media portfolio of television revivals and spin-offs. The lines have continued to expand into the 2020s with ongoing releases. A key milestone came in 2005 with the launch of the New Series Adventures, coinciding with the revival of on television under as the ; the inaugural titles, including The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards, provided accessible, young-adult-oriented novels that have continued to the present day (as of 2025), supporting ongoing seasons with the Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Doctors. Further expansion occurred in 2008 with the introduction of audio adventures, starting with by Peter Anghelides, an original story narrated by , which broadened BBC Books' format offerings to include spoken-word exclusives tied to the televised series. These audio releases have continued alongside print fiction into the .

Ownership and structure

Initial BBC ownership

BBC Books was established in the as the dedicated publishing imprint of the British Broadcasting Corporation (), functioning as a wholly owned within the organization's commercial operations. Initially operating under BBC Enterprises—the BBC's commercial arm formed in 1979—it transitioned seamlessly into BBC upon that entity's reorganization in 1995, maintaining full BBC ownership through 2005. This structure positioned BBC Books as an integral component of the BBC's Home Entertainment division, focused on exploiting from broadcast content to generate ancillary revenue. The imprint's operational framework emphasized tight integration with the BBC's radio and television divisions, ensuring that publications directly complemented and extended on-air programming. Books were developed in close collaboration with program makers, licensing rights to create titles that reinforced viewer engagement with shows on topics like cookery, natural history, and —exemplified by bestsellers accompanying series such as Civilisation (1969, predating the formal imprint but illustrative of the model) and later works by presenters like and . This synergy not only promoted BBC content but also adhered to the corporation's editorial and commercial policies, with all output aligned to guidelines. Internal management and distribution of BBC Books were overseen by the BBC's publishing teams until the mid-2000s, handling everything from content acquisition to global sales through in-house channels and partnerships. This self-contained approach allowed for efficient coordination with broadcast schedules, minimizing external dependencies. The financial model relied on revenues from book sales—particularly program-related titles—supplemented by profits returned from to the parent , which was primarily funded by the television license fee. This dual revenue stream supported the imprint's growth while insulating it from direct commercial pressures. In 2006, a majority stake in BBC Books was sold to the Random House Group's division, marking the end of full BBC control.

Partnership with Ebury Publishing

In 2006, the division of the Group acquired a majority shareholding in BBC Books, transitioning it from full BBC ownership to a hybrid model where (now ) retained a minority stake. This arrangement integrated BBC Books into Ebury's portfolio, allowing it to operate as an imprint while leveraging the commercial expertise of a major publishing house. The partnership has provided significant benefits, including expanded global distribution through the network, which enhances the reach of BBC-licensed titles beyond the market. Ebury handles day-to-day publishing operations, such as editorial, sales, and marketing, while maintains creative oversight by licensing content rights and ensuring alignment with editorial and commercial standards. This collaboration combines the BBC's content integrity with Ebury's commercial scale, fostering efficient production of publications. As of 2025, the ownership structure remains unchanged since the 2006 deal, with Ebury continuing to manage as a key imprint focused on BBC-branded and companion works. No major alterations to the partnership have been reported, underscoring its stability in supporting ongoing BBC content adaptations into print.

Fiction publications

Doctor Who series

' series encompasses a prolific body of original novels, novelizations, and supplementary media that extend the narrative scope of the long-running television program. Following the transfer of publishing rights from Virgin Books in 1996, initiated its fiction line in 1997, focusing on original stories set within the established universe. This early phase, spanning 1997 to 2005, featured approximately 150 novels across dedicated sub-ranges, providing fans with expansive adventures beyond the televised episodes. The flagship sub-range, the , debuted in June 1997 with The Eight Doctors by and continued monthly until 2005, emphasizing the post-1996 television movie incarnation of the Doctor alongside companions like Sam Jones and Kreiner. Complementing this were the Past Doctor Adventures, which revisited earlier Doctors from the First through Seventh, allowing exploration of untold tales from the classic era, such as The Roundheads by in November 1997. These series, totaling at least 135 titles by late 2004, bridged the gap during the television series' hiatus and built a dedicated literary following. The 2005 revival of Doctor Who on television prompted BBC Books to launch the New Series Adventures, a ongoing imprint designed to align closely with broadcast storylines while introducing standalone escapades. Beginning with The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards, this range has chronicled journeys of the Ninth Doctor through the Fifteenth, incorporating elements from episodes like the Bad Wolf arc and Flux saga. As of 2025, the line remains active, with recent releases including Fear Death By Water and Spectral Scream for the Fifteenth Doctor, along with additional titles such as Frankenstein featuring the Ninth Doctor, ensuring continuity and fresh content for contemporary audiences. Beyond original fiction, BBC Books has adapted television stories into novelizations, starting with the 1996 telemovie by , and later expanding through the revived Target Collection to include classics like and modern entries such as . From 2008 onward, the publisher incorporated audio tie-ins, producing narrated audiobooks of novels—often voiced by series actors like and —and original audio exclusives, broadening accessibility for fans. Prominent contributors to the series include Russell T. Davies, whose novelization of the episode (2018) and involvement in anniversary specials have bridged screen and page narratives. Other key writers, such as Justin Richards and Jacqueline Rayner, have shaped multiple eras, with their works enhancing character depth and lore. Overall, the Doctor Who series has surpassed 200 titles, significantly boosting fan engagement by offering immersive extensions of the that encourage rereads, discussions, and cross-media exploration.

Other tie-in series

BBC Books has extended its fiction publishing beyond the dominant Doctor Who range to include tie-in series for other properties, typically featuring shorter runs or original expansions that align closely with episode narratives or character arcs. These series often serve to deepen fan engagement by bridging on-screen events with additional adventures, though they have generally been limited in scope and duration compared to Doctor Who's extensive catalog. The Being Human novels, launched in 2010 to coincide with the supernatural drama's early seasons, comprised a limited run of three titles published by BBC Books. Written by Simon Guerrier (The Road), Mark Michalowski (Chasers), and James Goss (Bad Blood), these books are set between specific episodes like "Serve God, Love Me and Mend" and "Long Live the King," exploring the lives of protagonists Annie Sawyer, Mitchell, and George Sands. The series concluded after this trio, reflecting the tie-ins' focus on supplemental storytelling rather than long-term expansion. Torchwood, the adult-oriented spin-off, inspired a more substantial line of 19 original novels from BBC Books, running from 2007 to 2012. Beginning with Peter Anghelides's Another Life and including works like Dan Abnett's Border Princes and Andy Lane's Slow Decay, the series delved into the Torchwood team's investigations of extraterrestrial phenomena in contemporary . These books, often released in tandem with the television seasons, expanded the lore with standalone plots involving alien artifacts and moral dilemmas, ending with and Carole Barrowman's Exodus Code. In support of the acclaimed BBC Sherlock adaptation, BBC Books initiated a tie-in series in 2011 featuring reissued editions of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's foundational stories, enhanced with introductions from co-creators and and cover art evoking the modern television portrayal. The lineup began with (October 2011) and included The Sign of Four, , and by 2012, alongside short-story collections such as (2012). These volumes reinterpret the classic tales through the lens of the series' contemporary setting and characterizations, with the editions remaining available but no new releases announced as of 2025. Other brief tie-in efforts include the novelisations for , a family-friendly spin-off that aired from 2007 to 2011. BBC Books released eleven episode adaptations between 2007 and 2010, such as Terrance Dicks's Invasion of the Bane and Phil Ford's Eye of the Gorgon. The line ceased around the show's conclusion, prioritizing accessible prose for younger readers while tying directly to broadcast plots.

Non-fiction publications

Lifestyle and media tie-ins

has long been associated with cookery publications that extend popular programming, particularly through collaborations with renowned chefs and the brand. Delia Smith's works, such as Delia's Complete How to Cook (2009), draw directly from her series, offering step-by-step recipes and techniques that emphasize accessible home cooking for British audiences. The publisher's cookery output expanded significantly in the 1990s, with the series emerging as a cornerstone, featuring triple-tested recipes inspired by the magazine and related TV content; this ongoing line includes over 30 titles, such as Good Food: 101 Cakes & Bakes (2013) and Good Food: 101 One-Pot Dishes (2010), focusing on practical, seasonal meals. In the realm of gardening and home improvement, BBC Books produces guides that translate on-screen expertise into hands-on advice, prominently featuring Alan Titchmarsh, a longtime BBC presenter on Gardeners' World. The How to Garden series, authored by Titchmarsh and comprising 20 volumes, covers topics from container planting to perennial care, with examples like How to Garden: Small Gardens (2010) providing design plans and maintenance tips tailored to urban and compact spaces. Other titles, such as Gardeners' World Complete Book of Gardening (1999), compile essential techniques on soil preparation, tools, and planting, serving as practical extensions of BBC lifestyle shows that promote sustainable home environments. Beyond practical guides, offers "making-of" volumes that delve into the production processes of BBC TV and radio series, offering insights into creative decisions, technical challenges, and without venturing into fictional narratives. These works, often tied to and media programming, include accounts that highlight the craftsmanship behind broadcasts, appealing to enthusiasts interested in the operational side of media. As of 2025, BBC Books continues to release updated editions of its lifestyle titles to align with evolving BBC programming, ensuring relevance for ongoing shows like Gardeners' World and Good Food specials, while maintaining a focus on timeless, program-inspired content. For example, Gardeners' World: 101 Fresh Ideas for Your Outdoor Space (2024) provides contemporary advice on sustainable gardening.

Educational and reference works

BBC Books has long supported educational content in , particularly through companion volumes to Attenborough's iconic series, which have educated audiences on and since the 1980s. Key titles include (1984), detailing global ecosystems and species interactions, and The Trials of Life (1990), exploring animal behavior across life's stages, both published as tie-ins to the respective television documentaries. More contemporary works, such as (2017), extend this tradition by examining ocean conservation and , providing illustrated, accessible references for readers seeking deeper understanding beyond the screen. In and , BBC Books offers factual overviews linked to programs like Horizon, the BBC's longstanding strand, emphasizing breakthroughs in physics, astronomy, and . Representative examples include Earth from Space (2019), a visual guide to revealing planetary changes. These publications prioritize conceptual clarity, using program footage and expert insights to demystify complex topics for general audiences. Historical reference works from BBC Books often accompany BBC documentaries, delivering rigorous analyses of pivotal events and figures. A seminal example is The Nazis: A Warning from History (1997) by , which draws on archival material from the six-part series to examine the ideological and social mechanisms of Nazi rise and rule, serving as an enduring educational resource on 20th-century . Such books integrate primary sources and historian commentary to foster critical historical awareness.

References

  1. https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/publishing-houses/ebury
  2. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2137341/bbc-childrens-books/
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jun/22/books.pressandpublishing
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2006/06_june/bbc_books.shtml
  5. https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/company-timeline
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/3aab66bd-dff2-408b-b13e-765938b50311
  7. https://www.deliaonline.com/features/2024/11/delias-biographical-details
  8. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/12/life-on-earth-david-attenborough-review
  9. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-the-quirky-radio-show-that-became-a-phenomenon
  10. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442297/doctor-who-the-tv-movie-by-gary-russell/9781529128383
  11. https://tardis.wiki/wiki/BBC_Eighth_Doctor_Adventures
  12. https://tardis.wiki/wiki/BBC_Past_Doctor_Adventures
  13. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/425973/doctor-who-the-clockwise-man-by-justin-richards/9781445815978
  14. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/422773/doctor-who-pest-control-by-peter-anghelides/9781405608695
  15. https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb898-bbc
  16. https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/governance/licencefee
  17. https://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/company-history/
  18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/books/bbc.shtml
  19. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/new-fifteenth-doctor-and-belinda-chandra-novels-coming-in-may
  20. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/coming-soon-three-original-fifteenth-doctor-novels
  21. https://www.blogtorwho.com/ten-more-doctor-who-books-added-to-2025-calendar/
  22. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/bbc-books-to-publish-novelisation-of-the-church-on-ruby-road
  23. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/bbc-books-to-publish-four-target-doctor-who-novels-featuring-the-fifteenth-doctor
  24. https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/doctor-who-60th-anniversary-specials-to-be-novelised-for-the-target-range
  25. https://www.cathoderaytube.co.uk/2010/02/being-human-novels-road-chasers-and-bad.html
  26. https://www.goodreads.com/series/55925-being-human
  27. https://beinghuman.fandom.com/wiki/BBC_Novels_and_Audiobooks
  28. http://www.timelash.com/tardis/list.php?Torchwood-novels
  29. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/TorchwoodBBCBooks
  30. https://www.amazon.com/Torchwood-19-book-series/dp/B074CFS1LP
  31. https://www.thebookseller.com/news/bbc-books-develop-series-around-tvs-sherlock
  32. https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Adventures-Holmes-BBC-Books/dp/B00AZ99WLO
  33. https://www.sherlockforum.com/forum/topic/393-bbc-reprints-of-the-conan-doyle-stories/
  34. http://www.timelash.com/tardis/list.php?The-Sarah-Jane-Adventures-novelisations
  35. https://www.goodreads.com/series/65191-sarah-jane-adventures-novelizations
  36. https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/SJA_novelisations
  37. https://www.amazon.com/Delias-Complete-Cook-Delia-Smith/dp/0563539070
  38. https://www.amazon.com/BBC-Good-Food/dp/B08KR9WGMJ
  39. https://www.ipgbook.com/bbc-books-publisher-BBC.php
  40. https://www.amazon.com/Gardeners-World-Complete-Book-Gardening/dp/0563384263
  41. https://www.penguin.co.uk/imprints/bbc-books
  42. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/466921/gardeners-world-101-fresh-ideas-for-your-outdoor-space-by-gardeners-world/9781785948336
  43. https://www.amazon.com/Trials-Life-Natural-History-Behavior/dp/0316057517
  44. https://cmc.marmot.org/Record/.b5735831x
  45. https://www.amazon.com/Earth-from-Space/dp/1785943537
  46. https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Nazis.html?id=2K0wAQAAMAAJ
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