Broadcasting Corporation of China
A Taiwanese radio broadcasting company with origins in the Republic of China's central radio system established in 1928.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) is a Taiwanese radio broadcasting company whose institutional origins date to the Central Broadcasting System established in Nanjing in 1928. Created under the Chinese Nationalist Party, the organization became the principal state-aligned radio network of the Republic of China and developed a broad infrastructure linking stations in several major cities. Its early role extended beyond entertainment and information: radio was an important instrument for centralizing communications, disseminating official messages, and influencing public opinion during a period of political conflict and war. The organization began broadcasting in 1928 under the call sign XKM and later used XGOA. It is regarded as the first Chinese-run radio service to operate with a substantial, formally organized infrastructure, although an earlier station, the Radio Corporation of China in Harbin, had been established in 1923 under ownership associated with the Radio Corporation of America. The Chinese government closed that earlier operation, leaving the Central Broadcasting System as the more significant Chinese-controlled broadcasting institution. In 1935, the organization established a musical ensemble devoted to the performance and broadcast of Chinese traditional music. This ensemble is described as the first Chinese orchestra formed for such broadcasting purposes, illustrating the broadcaster's role in cultural programming as well as political communication. The organization changed its name to Broadcasting Corporation of China in 1947. Following the defeat of the Kuomintang government in the Chinese Civil War, the broadcaster moved to Taiwan in 1949. It subsequently became part of the island's long-running broadcasting and media environment. For much of its history, BCC was closely associated with the ruling political establishment, a relationship that later became central to debates about media independence, party assets, and the separation of political influence from broadcasting. In 2005, as Taiwan pursued policies intended to reduce political and military influence over the media, BCC was privatized and sold to a holding company linked to the China Times Group for NT$9.3 billion. A subsequent proposed transaction in 2006 involved four holding companies connected to media figure Jaw Shaw-kong and used the Kuomintang-owned Hua Hsia Investment Holding Company. Regulatory approval became contentious because critics argued that the transaction could contribute to excessive concentration of media ownership. The Executive Yuan withdrew its approval after allegations that the deal could facilitate a media monopoly. The Fair Trade Commission later fined Jaw's other media company, UFO Network, for failing to report the acquisition of BCC. Approval was eventually granted in 2008 after Jaw's wife reduced her ownership stake in UFO Network to 10 percent. The company's political and ownership history remained under official scrutiny. In 2016, Taiwan's Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee began investigating the sale of BCC. In 2019, the committee stated that its findings identified BCC as an affiliate of the Kuomintang. BCC continues to operate as a privately owned broadcaster under a government contract and is described as having Taiwan's largest radio-network service presence. Its portfolio has included the BCC Country Network and the music-oriented i-Radio. Following controversy surrounding i-Radio, that service was converted from an FM network into an online radio station, while some former FM frequencies were reassigned to government-supervised Hakka Radio and Alian Radio services.
History
Broadcasting Corporation of China traces its institutional history to the Central Broadcasting System, founded in Nanjing in 1928 by the Chinese Nationalist Party. The system began broadcasting under the call sign XKM and later used XGOA. It developed a network of stations in major cities and became a central communications platform for the Republic of China. Radio's political importance was substantial: the network enabled the government and ruling party to distribute official information and political messaging across a geographically dispersed population. The Central Broadcasting System occupied an important place in the early development of Chinese-controlled radio. A station known as the Radio Corporation of China had begun operating in Harbin in 1923, but it was associated with the Radio Corporation of America and was closed by the Chinese government. The Central Broadcasting System was therefore the more significant early broadcaster built under Chinese political control. Its remit was not limited to political communication. In 1935, it created a musical ensemble dedicated to Chinese traditional music, an initiative regarded as an early milestone in Chinese orchestral and cultural broadcasting. The organization adopted the name Broadcasting Corporation of China in 1947. In 1949, after the Kuomintang government was defeated in the Chinese Civil War, BCC moved to Taiwan. There it continued as a major radio organization within the media system of the Republic of China. Its historical association with the Kuomintang remained important to later discussions about political influence, state-linked media, and the treatment of former party assets. A major institutional change came in 2005, when BCC was privatized under a government policy intended to remove political and military influence from media ownership. The broadcaster was sold to a holding company linked to the China Times Group for NT$9.3 billion. In December 2006, a further sale was arranged through Hua Hsia Investment Holding Company, which was owned by the Kuomintang, to four holding companies connected to Jaw Shaw-kong. The transaction became politically and regulatorily controversial. Authorities and critics raised concerns that the acquisition could strengthen a media monopoly. The Executive Yuan withdrew its approval after Jaw was accused of attempting to build excessive media concentration. In December 2007, the Fair Trade Commission fined UFO Network, another company associated with Jaw, for failing to report the BCC acquisition. The transaction was eventually approved in April 2008 after Jaw's wife reduced her interest in UFO Network to 10 percent. The ownership history did not end the political controversy. In 2016, Taiwan's Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee began examining the sale. In 2019, the committee announced that its findings identified BCC as a Kuomintang affiliate. BCC operates today as a privately owned company under a government contract and is described as having the largest radio-network service presence in Taiwan. Its services have included conventional FM networks and music-focused offerings. The i-Radio service was later shifted from FM broadcasting to an online format following controversy. Frequencies formerly used by BCC Country Network and i-Radio were instead carried by government-supervised Hakka Radio and Alian Radio services. BCC's present identity therefore combines a long broadcasting tradition, a large Taiwanese radio footprint, and an ownership history closely connected to debates over political parties, privatization, and media regulation.
- 2019
BCC identified as a Kuomintang affiliate
[1]The Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee announced that its investigation had determined BCC to be a Kuomintang affiliate.
- 2016
Party-asset investigation begins
[1]The Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee began investigating the BCC sale.
- 2008
Acquisition approved after ownership reduction
[1]Regulatory approval was eventually granted after a related ownership interest in UFO Network was reduced to 10 percent.
- 2007
Acquisition faces regulatory opposition
[1]A proposed acquisition involving Jaw Shaw-kong-linked holding companies was challenged over potential media concentration and reporting-compliance issues.
- 2005
Privatization and sale
[1]BCC was privatized and sold to a China Times Group-linked holding company for NT$9.3 billion.
- 1949
Operations moved to Taiwan
[1]BCC relocated to Taiwan after the Kuomintang government's defeat in the Chinese Civil War.
- 1947
Organization renamed Broadcasting Corporation of China
[1]The Central Broadcasting System adopted the name Broadcasting Corporation of China.
- 1935
Traditional-music ensemble formed
[1]The broadcaster formed an ensemble to perform Chinese traditional music for radio audiences.
- 1928
Central Broadcasting System established
[1]The Chinese Nationalist Party established the Central Broadcasting System in Nanjing, creating the institutional predecessor of BCC.
Products and positioning
A major Taiwanese radio-network operator with a national historical legacy, combining general broadcasting, music, cultural programming, and contracted public-service transmission. Its identity is also shaped by its origins as a politically affiliated central broadcaster and by later privatization and media-ownership controversies.
Radio broadcasting · 1928
BCC radio network services
BCC's core offering is radio broadcasting in Taiwan. The organization historically operated a network of stations and frequencies serving general information, music, cultural content, and entertainment programming. Its network role developed from the Central Broadcasting System's original infrastructure and later supported a broad national radio presence under private ownership and government contracts.
FM radio network
BCC Country Network
BCC Country Network was one of the company's FM network offerings. It formed part of BCC's radio-frequency portfolio before frequencies associated with the service were carried by government-supervised Hakka Radio following changes to the network's operating arrangements.
Online radio and music broadcasting
i-Radio
i-Radio was a music-focused BCC service that originally operated as an FM radio network. Following controversy, it was converted into an online radio station. The service represents BCC's move beyond conventional terrestrial broadcasting into an internet-delivered format.
Controversies
2019
Committee finding that BCC was a Kuomintang affiliate
The Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee stated that its investigation had found BCC to be an affiliate of the Kuomintang, reinforcing continuing controversy over the broadcaster's political and ownership history.
2016
Investigation into BCC's party-asset status
Taiwan's Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee investigated the sale of BCC and its historical relationship with the Kuomintang.
2007
Controversial Jaw Shaw-kong-linked acquisition
A proposed acquisition of BCC by four holding companies linked to Jaw Shaw-kong generated allegations that the transaction could create or strengthen a media monopoly. The Executive Yuan withdrew its approval, and the Fair Trade Commission fined UFO Network for failing to report the acquisition. The transaction was later approved after a related ownership stake was reduced.
Brand decisions
2008
Approval of Jaw Shaw-kong-linked acquisitionM&ABackground
Regulators had raised concerns about possible media concentration and had withdrawn an earlier approval.
Action taken
The acquisition was approved after Jaw Shaw-kong's wife reduced her stake in UFO Network to 10 percent.
Aftermath
BCC remained subject to continuing public and official scrutiny over its relationship with Kuomintang-linked assets.
2005
Privatization of BCCStrategyBackground
Taiwan pursued a policy intended to reduce political and military influence over media organizations.
Action taken
BCC was privatized and sold to a holding company linked to the China Times Group.
Aftermath
The ownership transition led to further transactions and regulatory disputes concerning political affiliation and media concentration.
Sale price. NT$9.3 billion (2005)
- Conversion of i-Radio to online radioStrategy
Background
The music-focused i-Radio FM network became controversial within changes to BCC's frequency portfolio.
Action taken
i-Radio was converted from an FM network into an online radio station, while associated FM frequencies were carried by Hakka Radio and Alian Radio.
Aftermath
The change shifted the service from terrestrial broadcasting toward internet distribution.
Recent events
- 2008
BCC acquisition receives regulatory approval after ownership adjustment[1]
M&A · Regulation
The acquisition was ultimately approved after Jaw Shaw-kong's wife reduced her ownership interest in UFO Network to 10 percent.
- 2005
BCC is privatized and sold[1]
M&A
As part of a government policy aimed at reducing political and military influence over media organizations, BCC was privatized and sold to a China Times Group-linked holding company for NT$9.3 billion.
- 1949
BCC relocates to Taiwan[1]
Other
After the Kuomintang government's defeat in the Chinese Civil War, the broadcaster moved its operations to Taiwan.
- 1947
Central Broadcasting System adopts the BCC name[1]
Other
The organization changed its name to Broadcasting Corporation of China.
- 1935
Broadcasting organization establishes a traditional-music ensemble[1]
Other
The broadcaster formed an ensemble for the performance and transmission of Chinese traditional music, an early example of organized Chinese orchestral broadcasting.
- 1928
Central Broadcasting System is established in Nanjing[1]
Other
The Chinese Nationalist Party established the Central Broadcasting System, the institutional predecessor of Broadcasting Corporation of China, and the service began broadcasting under the call sign XKM.
i-Radio transitions from FM broadcasting to online radio[1]
Other
Following controversy, the music-focused i-Radio service was converted from an FM radio network into an online radio station, while some associated frequencies were assigned to Hakka Radio and Alian Radio.
Sources1 sources
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