Original: The BBC has had an online presence supporting its TV and radio programmes and web only initiatives since 1994 but didn't launch officially until December 1997, following government approval to fund it by TV licence fee revenue as a service in its own right.
Simplified: The BBC has has had a website for information about its TV and radio programmes since 1994, but didn't launch officially as BBC Online until December 1997, following government approval to fund it by TV licence fee.