BBC Bitesize launches YouTube series for teen exam support

From the creators of Horrible Histories and Horrible Science, Literally is intended to use formats familiar to teenage viewers to deliver engaging revision content that both educates and entertains. 

The YouTube-first revision series includes a range of content, from mock autocomplete interviews with Frankenstein’s Monster, debunking common misconceptions around the original science fiction novel, to “Hog-Ones”, a take on the popular YouTube challenge reimagined for Animal Farm, analysing the character Napoleon, and even a “CEO” interview with Pride and Prejudice’s Mrs Bennet, exploring the language used to describe the novel’s characters.

Alongside this, BBC Bitesize continues to expand its wider revision offer, bringing together video, podcasts, and study tools to support students. The growing podcast offering, jointly produced by BBC Bitesize and BBC Sounds, includes four new exam skills episodes for GCSE English Language and Literature, developed in collaboration with the National Theatre. Hosted by Journalist Carl Anka and Writer Jean Menzies, the series reportedly brings texts and techniques to life through performance and expert insight.

National Theatre Actor Nina Cassells, who recently performed in the National Theatre's production of Ballet Shoes, voices extracts from set texts, helping students connect more deeply with language, character, and narratives. Drawing on her experience as an Actor, Nina also shares how she approaches memorising lines and interpreting language, offering students practical techniques they can apply in exams.

For parents, the new Bitesize Parenting Teens podcast, hosted by Kerry Godliman, offers practical advice on navigating the challenges of supporting teenagers through revision.

Cerys Griffiths, Head of BBC Bitesize, explained: “Revision has changed, and students are increasingly turning to video and audio to help things stick. Literally, BBC Bitesize’s new YouTube offering is about meeting them there, bringing GCSE subjects to life in a way that feels engaging, memorable, and genuinely useful.

“But it sits within a much wider Bitesize offer. From our podcasts, including our collaboration with the National Theatre, to our core revision tools and new Bitesize Parenting Teens podcast, we’re bringing together support for both students and families in one place, in a way that reflects how they’re learning today.”

The initiative reflects BBC Children’s & Education’s wider YouTube strategy to bring trusted content to young audiences on the platforms they already use.

The series launch comes days after BBC Scotland commissioned four short-form comedies for BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and social platforms as part of expanding its digital strategy to reach younger and more diverse audiences.

The first, Marc Jennings’ Genuine Question – Why Vote?, follows the stand-up comedian and podcast host as he attempts to understand Scottish politics from the perspective of the “everyman”. The Chief Grills sees Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson – better known as The Chief – invite a series of high-profile “persons of interest” into the interrogation room.

Next, MyAmi Nails is a 1x10” short form sitcom about community, colour, and the chaotic beauty of starting over. Meanwhile, Reality Bunker, written and performed by Harrison MacNeill and Leo MacNeill (aka Them is Brothers), is a parody of reality TV, set in a subterranean bunker somewhere in Scotland.

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, commented: “These projects reflect our ambition to create bold, original Scottish content that works brilliantly on BBC iPlayer and beyond. They speak directly to how audiences are watching today.”

Gavin Smith, Commissioning Editor of Scripted at BBC Scotland, added: “We have been working for many years in the scripted digital-first short form space and our strategy has produced award-winning content. We’re delighted to have brought Deb Charles into the team as Assistant Commissioner of Scripted to build on this success, and we look forward to having further content announcements in the coming months.”

The BBC Group first struck a deal to produce new programming for YouTube, in an effort to capture younger viewers, in January 2026. Discover more here.