YouTube & BBC Confirm Watershed Content Deal

YouTube and the BBC have confirmed plans to deepen their ties, with the UK national broadcaster committing to creating original content for the Google-owned platform.

Under the landmark agreement, first reported last week, the BBC will create new YouTube channels, showcase content like the Winter Olympics, and launch a creator skills and training initiative.

The joint YouTube and BBC announcement did not disclose any details about the commercial arrangement underpinning the deal. The BBC has also not committed to an investment figure for its original content push on the platform.

The press statement did reveal, however, that the BBC will launch specialist channels, such as Deepwatch (working title), featuring new and existing BBC documentaries. Seven children’s channels will also be launched, including The Epic Facts channel, which will bring together content from BBC series including Horrible Histories and Deadly 60.

The BBC does not currently produce bespoke series for YouTube, but has maintained a presence on the platform for more than 20 years. BBC Studios content generates 15B annual views on YouTube, according to the corporation, while the BBC’s main account has 15.3M subscribers and 11.9B views.

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