The BBC has unveiled a major new partnership with YouTube as it steps up efforts to reach younger audiences and expand its digital footprint. Under the agreement, the public broadcaster will create original, YouTube-first content and launch new channels aimed at children and young adults.
YouTube will also be used to highlight major BBC moments and drive audiences towards its traditional services, with coverage tied to high-profile events such as the Winter Olympics from February.
The move reflects growing concern at the BBC over shifting viewing habits. Recent figures show YouTube has overtaken the BBC’s combined channels in total UK viewership, underlining the platform’s dominance among younger viewers for both entertainment and news.
Alongside new programming, the partnership includes investment in the UK’s creative sector. Working with the National Film and Television School, the BBC and YouTube will offer training, workshops and support to around 150 media professionals and emerging creators to help them develop digital-first content.
BBC director general Tim Davie said the deal would help the corporation connect with audiences in new ways while nurturing future creative talent. YouTube’s EMEA vice-president Pedro Pina described the partnership as a way to bring the BBC’s storytelling to a younger, global audience while strengthening the UK’s creative pipeline.
The agreement also allows the BBC to generate advertising revenue from its YouTube content shown outside the UK, while maintaining its licence fee funded model at home.
