BBS, the Bhutan Broadcasting Service, is the national public service broadcaster and the most influential media organization in the country. BBS regards it as its duty to provide a public space for citizens through the distinctiveness of its news and programmes.
The BBS Radio Service was introduced on November 11, 1973, as Radio NYAB, by a group of National Youth Association of Bhutan volunteers. The national Television service was launched June 2, 1999, coinciding with the Silver Jubilee celebration of His Majesty the 4th King.
The Bhutan Broadcasting Service became an autonomous corporation following a royal decree issued by the 4th King of Bhutan in 1992. Since then, BBS has been functioning as an autonomous corporation governed by an independent Board of Directors.
Today, the BBS has two Television Channels, the News channel and the Sports and Entertainment channel. Both channels are available on satellite as well as terrestrially and online. Its Television signal can be received in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and eastern Africa on INSAT. BBS Radio is a 24-hour service broadcasting in four languages. The Radio service plans to launch a 2nd radio channel in the near future.