BBC lifts lid on YouTube-first children’s strategy

The BBC is accelerating its YouTube strategy by launching nine new kids and teen channels and commissioning up to 15 series to win back viewers drifting from its traditional platforms.

The public service broadcaster, which outlined its expanded YouTube plans last month, will group content for 7-12-year-olds into interest-led channels themed around challenges, factual entertainment and comedy drama, rather than simply mirroring existing television brands.

Explaining the move at the MIP London conference,* Lydia Mossahebi, Head of Digital Media & Platforms at BBC Children’s and Education, said the BBC wants to “increase [its] footprint” on the platform and explore what a “YouTube-first [content]” strategy might look like.

“We want to do more,” she said, describing the new commissions as an opportunity to “experiment creatively” and work with creators in new ways that better reflect how young audiences behave on YouTube.

Part of this will involve commissioning 10-15 original series that are “YouTube-first and also sit on iPlayer”. The broadcaster will also more than double the volume of children’s content it publishes on YouTube. Existing programming will be reworked with YouTube in mind.

“That seven to 12 audience isn’t spending a lot of time on BBC, and we make wonderful stuff that we want them to find,” Mossahebi said.

The approach is already being tested on established titles, with Mossahebi citing dance drama series The Next Step, where the broadcaster has produced short-form episodes for YouTube and social media to keep fans engaged between seasons.

The BBC last month confirmed it was seeking production partners to help develop content for YouTube, including companies working with digital creators. The children’s strategy reflects a wider shift in how formats are being developed, with platform performance increasingly shaping commissioning decisions.

*Kids & Teens Summit – BBC & YouTube Partnership: How to Expand Public Service Media on YouTube, MIP London, 24 February 2026, London.