The BBC is developing a publicly available radio archive according to Emma Barnett’s Tech Briefing blog at The Telegraph (U.K.).

The archive, currently called “Audiopedia,” will be accessible via the Internet and is expected to include BBC radio programming dating back to the 1940s. It is unclear as to exactly how much content is available or will be made available. A blog commenter pointed out that some programming, especially comedies, might no longer be politically acceptable.

Barnett relayed that Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio and Music, said the service should be available within 12 months. The process of digitizing various tape- and disc-based media is time-consuming. Davie was also quoted that the service’s website will be open to other broadcasters.