The BBC Group and YouTube have announced a new strategic partnership to deliver more for audiences and to support Creators across the UK. The BBC states that partnering with YouTube will ensure more BBC content is accessible to all audiences.
This doesn’t come as any huge surprise, as traditional broadcasting stations are facing increased competition and more and more people are turning to the internet to watch their content.
According to reports by the BBC, its main account on the streaming platform has more than 15 million subscribers, and a separate BBC News YouTube channel has around 19 million. The BBC will increase the number of channels it has on YouTube to 50. They also state that in the UK, they will not carry advertising around their content for the streaming platform.
Here is the full press release issued by BBC:
- Investment in fresh YouTube-first programming, which showcases the best homegrown storytelling and news from across the BBC
- Collaboration to highlight BBC moments that bring the UK together
- Launch of new BBC and YouTube creator skills and training programme to upskill and partner with creators and established TV producers at the BBC’s hubs across the UK
BBC Group and YouTube today announced a new strategic partnership, focused on investments in new programming, collaborating to showcase more BBC moments that bring the UK together on YouTube, and upskilling the next generation of future creators and producers from across the UK.
Partnering with YouTube is part of the BBC’s value for all strategy, ensuring more BBC content is accessible to all audiences where they are, in addition to its hugely successful services such as BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, where the new programming will launch at the same time.
The BBC will expand its YouTube activities, focusing on four areas:
- Build targeted communities for UK children and young adults – with the launch of new targeted channels including Deepwatch (w/t), featuring new and existing BBC documentaries and seven new children’s channel including The Epic Facts channel featuring content from CBBC’s Operation Ouch, Horrible Histories, Horrible Science and Deadly 60
- Promote key BBC programme brands – especially for those people that don’t come to the BBC often to ensure they get value from the BBC
- Deliver trusted, high quality news – by providing news that cuts through the noise with new global channels, real-time live story streams and innovative story formats
- Drive commercial growth through global fandoms – through a deeper connection with fans and partnerships with brands, partners and creators
This new partnership builds on the BBC’s strong digital performance and highly popular third-party channels. The approach is already delivering at scale, with BBC data showing there were 15 billion annual YouTube views of BBC Studio content, with watch time nearly doubling year on year and engagement continuing to grow across key global markets.
The partnership will see the BBC and YouTube support the government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, building on the success of BBC Studio’s TalentWorks and BBC Creator Lab and YouTube’s Launchpad, Accelerators and Masterclass series, by investing in the next generation of creators across the length and breadth of the UK, upskilling and partnering with creators and established TV producers who want to create and commission digital-first content.
Led by the National Film and Television School (NFTS), 150 media professionals will be invited to develop their YouTube skills with a series of workshops and events. A specially curated training programme will be hosted online and at BBC hubs in Salford, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast and Cardiff – recognising the importance of creators to boost the UK economy and showcase the best homegrown talent.
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General says: “It’s essential that everyone gets value from the BBC, and this groundbreaking partnership will help us connect with audiences in new ways. We’re building from a strong start and this takes us to the next level, with bold homegrown content in formats audiences want on YouTube and an unprecedented training programme to upskill the next generation of YouTube creators from across the UK. Importantly, this partnership also allows new audiences different routes into BBC services like BBC iPlayer and Sounds.”
Pedro Pina, VP EMEA YouTube, added: “We are delighted to partner with the BBC to redefine the boundaries of digital storytelling. This partnership translates the BBC’s world-class content for a digital-first audience, ensuring its cultural impact reaches a younger, more global audience. Beyond the content, our first-of-its-kind training programme represents a deep investment in the UK’s creative pipeline designed to empower the next generation of British talent to lead the global creator economy. In doing so, we are not just telling the stories of today; we are building the stage for the storytellers of tomorrow.”
