BBC in talks to produce content for YouTube

The talks were first reported by the Financial Times, and a deal is expected to be announced as soon as this week.

The plans could mean that the BBC makes shows for YouTube, which subsequently run on the BBC iPlayer and Sounds platforms.

Such a deal is projected to help the BBC attract young audiences to its content on a platform that is hugely popular with the future generation of licence fee payers.

The BBC does not carry advertising in the UK, but it could potentially benefit from advertising attached to the new programmes shown outside the UK on YouTube.

The BBC has had a presence on YouTube for over 20 years, mainly posting trailers and clips from shows.

News of the potential deal comes as traditional broadcasters such as the BBC have come under pressure from platforms like YouTube.

For example, in December 2025, ratings agency Barb reported that more people in the UK watched YouTube than the BBC for the first time ever. It said that the number of viewers watching YouTube was 52 million, compared with 51 million for the BBC across all its channels.

Regulator Ofcom recently stated the BBC and other public service channels must make more content for YouTube or risk losing relevance with younger audiences who are increasingly turning away from traditional TV. Discover more here.