The BBC is on the verge of a groundbreaking partnership with YouTube, signaling a significant strategic shift as the public broadcaster looks to reach younger audiences on the platforms it increasingly favors.
Under the proposed deal, the BBC would create original, bespoke programs 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 aims to ensure the company remains relevant to future generations of license fee payers as viewing habits continue to move away from traditional television.
The plans were first reported by the Financial Times and subsequently confirmed to industry publication Deadline by a source briefed on the discussions. An announcement could come as early as next week. The BBC declined to comment.
Although the BBC has had a strong presence on YouTube for more than two decades, it has never before commissioned content exclusively for the platform. His main YouTube channel, which has more than 15 million subscribers and nearly 12 billion views, primarily hosts trailers and clips from existing shows like “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 about how any original YouTube programs would be funded remain unclear. The BBC does not advertise in the UK, but the Financial Times reported that the broadcaster could exclusively monetize YouTube content internationally, creating an additional commercial revenue stream to supplement the license fee.
The move would follow similar experiments in other parts of the industry. Channel 4 has already commissioned original documentaries and digital dramas specifically for YouTube, using the platform as a testing ground for new formats and audiences.
However, the proposal is not without internal skepticism. 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 remarkable. Earlier this week, Deadline announced that YouTube had overtaken the BBC on a key audience reach metric for the first time. According to ratings agency BARB, YouTube reached 51.9 million viewers in the UK in December, compared to 50.8 million for the BBC. While the BBC remains ahead on other measures, the milestone highlights the scale of the challenge YouTube poses to traditional broadcasters.
The potential deal also comes amid growing political scrutiny of YouTube’s influence. In a keynote speech at the Royal Television Society’s Cambridge Convention last autumn, Culture Minister Lisa Nandy warned that the government was prepared to intervene to ensure public service content was highlighted 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 television lawyer at Simkins LLP, said the move was a pragmatic recognition of changing viewer behavior. “This deal represents a strategic recognition of where audiences now sit and how they consume content, particularly from younger demographics, while opening up new commercial opportunities to complement the royalty,” she said.
She added that any agreement would need to be carefully structured to protect the BBC’s editorial standards and intellectual property in the long term. “From a legal perspective, it will be crucial to ensure impartiality, accuracy and brand integrity while ensuring the BBC retains control over its public service obligations and future exploitation rights.”
