BBC Four (or BBC4 and BBC 4) is a British free-to-air television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002, with a schedule running from 7:00 pm to 4:00 am. The channel shows "a wide variety of programmes including arts, comedy, documentaries, music, international film, original programmes, drama and current affairs ... an alternative to programmes on the mainstream TV channels". It is required by its licence to air at least 100 hours of new arts and music programmes, 110 hours of new factual programmes and to premiere 20 foreign films each year.