BBC Video World

BBC Video World was a subscription series of video tapes released by the BBC between 1989 and 1991.

The series was first advertised in the 2 March 1989 edition of The Listener, promising: "every two weeks, an exclusive compilation will capture the unique character and quality of British television on a three-hour video tape - in your local format." The advert was pitched firmly ex-patriates and other people living outside the UK - with the explicit exception of South Africa - but also suggested that the service, "will also prove a winner with busy people in Britain who don't want to fiddle with video timers."

Typical editions featured a selection of BBC news, sport, current affairs, documentary, drama, and/or comedy, most of which was never released commercially. Some programmes were edited for timing and/or content, although none of the tapes were certified by the BBFC. Initially each edition came with an accompanying magazine, although this may have been discontinued before the end of the first volume, as letter sent with Vol. 1 No. 18 stated that due to responses to a previous questionnaire, "it makes sense to have a pause in magazine production whilst we work on how best to give subscribers exactly what they want."

Advertising material stated: "BBC Video World is available in all video formats except Betamax Secam (sic) and V8." In other words, PAL or NTSC VHS only!

Volumes

 * 1989 - Volume 1, Numbers 1-20 (April-December)
 * 1990 - Volume 2, Numbers 1-26 (January-December)
 * 1991 - Volume 3, Numbers 1-18 (January-September)