The BBC is close to agreeing a landmark partnership with YouTube, signalling a significant strategic shift as the public broadcaster looks to reach younger audiences on the platforms they increasingly favour.
Under the proposed arrangement, the BBC would create original, bespoke programmes designed specifically for YouTube, with the option for successful formats to later migrate to its own platforms, including BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. The move is intended to ensure the corporation remains relevant to future generations of licence fee payers as viewing habits continue to fragment away from traditional television.
The plans were first reported by the Financial Times and subsequently confirmed to industry title Deadline by a source briefed on the discussions. An announcement could come as early as next week. The BBC declined to comment.
While the BBC has maintained a strong presence on YouTube for more than two decades, it has never previously commissioned content exclusively for the platform. Its main YouTube channel, which has more than 15 million subscribers and almost 12 billion views, largely hosts trailers and clips from existing programmes such as The Traitors. BBC News has been active on YouTube since 2006 and regularly publishes longer-form video content, attracting an audience of around 19 million subscribers.
Details of how any original YouTube programming would be funded remain unclear. The BBC does not carry advertising in the UK, but the Financial Times reported that the broadcaster could monetise YouTube-only content internationally, creating an additional commercial revenue stream to supplement the licence fee.
The move would follow similar experimentation elsewhere in the sector. Channel 4 has already commissioned original documentaries and digital drama specifically for YouTube, using the platform as a testing ground for new formats and audiences.
However, the proposal is not without internal scepticism. Some within the BBC question whether YouTube originals can ever deliver a meaningful financial return, suggesting the primary motivation is audience reach rather than revenue generation.
The timing is notable. Earlier this week, Deadline revealed that YouTube had overtaken the BBC on one key audience reach metric for the first time. According to figures from ratings body BARB, YouTube reached 51.9 million UK viewers in December, compared with the BBC’s 50.8 million. While the BBC remains ahead on other measures, the milestone underlines the scale of YouTube’s challenge to traditional broadcasters.
The potential deal also lands amid growing political scrutiny of YouTube’s influence. In a keynote speech at the Royal Television Society’s Cambridge Convention last autumn, culture secretary Lisa Nandy warned that the government was prepared to intervene to ensure public service content is given prominence on the platform. YouTube has previously argued that such regulation would be premature while discussions with broadcasters are ongoing.
Juliane Althoff, partner and film and TV lawyer at Simkins LLP, said the move reflects a pragmatic recognition of changing audience behaviour. “This deal marks a strategic acknowledgement of where audiences now sit and how they consume content, particularly younger demographics, while also opening up new commercial opportunities to supplement the licence fee,” she said.
She added that any agreement would need to be carefully structured to protect the BBC’s editorial standards and long-term intellectual property. “From a legal perspective, safeguarding impartiality, accuracy and brand integrity will be critical, alongside ensuring the BBC retains control of its public service obligations and future exploitation rights.”
