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The BBC has revealed a significant new partnership with YouTube, marking the first time the broadcaster will create programming specifically designed for the platform. Until now, the BBC primarily used YouTube owned by Google to share trailers and promotional clips for UK audiences.
Under this new arrangement, the corporation will produce original content aimed mainly at YouTube’s younger, digitally native users. Some of these programmes may also be distributed on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. For viewers outside the UK, the shows will carry advertising, offering an additional revenue stream as discussions around the BBC’s future funding continue.
The slate of forthcoming content will span entertainment, documentaries, children’s programming, news and sport, beginning with coverage around the Winter Olympics in February.
In a joint announcement, both organisations said the collaboration would highlight “the best British storytelling and journalism from across the BBC.”
Director General Tim Davie described the agreement as a major step in strengthening the broadcaster’s relationship with new audiences.
“We are already seeing strong engagement, and this partnership takes us further—delivering bold, UK-made formats that resonate on YouTube and providing an unprecedented training initiative to develop the next wave of UK YouTube creators,” he said.
He added that the collaboration will also give new viewers alternative pathways into BBC services such as iPlayer and Sounds.
Although the BBC has not previously developed original programming for YouTube, its main channel—home to clips and trailers—has amassed more than 15 million subscribers. BBC News’s dedicated YouTube channel has around 19 million followers. As part of the expansion, the corporation is expected to grow its YouTube presence to around 50 channels. No advertising will appear on BBC content viewed within the UK.
The agreement will also contribute to the UK government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, with both the BBC and YouTube committing to investment that supports emerging creative talent across the country.
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