Original: The BBC has had an online presence supporting its TV and radio programmes and web only initiatives since 1994 but did n'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 did n't launch officially as BBC Online until December 1997 , following government approval to fund it by TV licence fee .