Commissioning opportunity: BBC YouTube Perspectives channel

BBC Three is developing a new YouTube channel focused on showcasing perspectives and encouraging dialogue and debate for 16-24 audiences. We are inviting two production companies to develop and produce a variety of formats for this new channel, aiming for at least one of these companies to be based in the Nations or English regions.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of public service discussion online, developing formats that can both entertain and enlighten, spark curiosity and build understanding.

The channel

The new ‘Perspectives’ YouTube channel (WIP name) will explore life across the UK through the lens of conversation, empathy and exchange, harnessing the energy, openness and cultural fluency of YouTube creators. It will showcase a diversity of voices, experiences and opinions, with a particular focus on younger audiences aged 16–24 who are seeking open, honest and intelligent discussion online.

The ambition is to create content that feels distinctive, light-hearted and emotionally intelligent, while remaining fully aligned with the BBC’s editorial standards of fairness, accuracy and impartiality.

While the BBC will manage publication and channel operations, we expect producers to contribute to shaping its creative direction and in testing ideas that help establish the voice and community of the channel. Thus, producers should be agile and adaptable, able to interpret audience data and feedback in real time, and willing to pivot or refine formats based on what resonates with viewers.

The episodes

Each producer will receive ~£1m to develop, produce and deliver at least 30 formatted episodes (each between 10 and 30 minutes long) within a 12-month period. This must be made up of at least four distinctive, repeatable formats specifically designed for YouTube and optimised for discovery, engagement, and watch time.

Formats should be grounded in repeatable mechanics that drive engagement and narrative progression - for example, through structured dialogue, or playful interactions that reveal unexpected viewpoints. The tone should be in line with BBC Three: fearless but fair, informal but well-informed - content that feels at home in a YouTube environment while upholding BBC values.

We are not seeking political punditry or polarised commentary. This is not about reporting on the news but about the breadth of human experience. Themes should be grounded on Gen Z interests, such as pop culture debates, nostalgia, university, relationships and identity, lifestyle and personal choices, as well as covering lived experiences across topics such as social justice, inequality and cost of living.

Contributors should represent the breadth of the UK creator community and the diversity of voices and experiences across the UK, to and bring authenticity, curiosity and openness to the discussion.

Editorial accuracy and contributor management are central to this commission. This is a space that requires editorial rigour and robust production and sign-off standards. Producers must operate to BBC Editorial Guidelines and have experience navigating editorial compliance and controversy responsibly, as well as being prepared to work closely with BBC editorial and legal advisors where required. Casting should follow robust editorial protocols, ensuring participants are appropriately briefed, supported and safeguarded throughout production.

We welcome proposals from production companies who work with established or emerging digital creators with authentic voices and deep understanding of online communities, and/or who are open to partnering with other companies or specialists to strengthen digital expertise and delivery.

Eligibility criteria

Companies will be shortlisted based on the following criteria, as detailed in the application form:

1. Experience producing short-form or digital-first content for younger audiences

• Including understanding of the YouTube platform and production of new, repeatable ideas that can grow beyond a single strand - or a clear plan to collaborate with digital specialists or creators to bring that expertise into delivery.

2. Editorial track record

• a) Strong fact-checking processes, including verification of statistics, claims and references made on screen, and clear chains of editorial sign-off.
• b) Details of compliance and legal review processes, including experience working to BBC Editorial Guidelines or equivalent frameworks and an explanation of how you manage escalations, complaints or editorial issues, including when and how you notify commissioners or partners.

3. Casting and contributor management

• Past evidence of duty of care, welfare and contributor safeguarding practices, including briefing and monitoring conversations online and mitigation of harm or online harassment.

Application process

Please fill in the application form (Microsoft Forms) with evidence of how you meet the criteria above (max 1000 words) along with company details - including location - and contact details. You can add links to relevant work and website, but please do not submit any creative ideas or company reels.

The BBC is committed to accessibility and inclusion. If you require reasonable adjustments or support throughout the application process, please let us know and we will work with you to accommodate your access requirements. 

The deadline for application is midnight on the 15 of February 2026.

The BBC team will then shortlist up to six companies for a pitching meeting for the selected companies to present their proposal, based around the following information:

• Your vision for the overall high-level creative tone and direction of formats that fit the brief for the channel as outlined above.
• Approach towards ensuring editorial accuracy, including how to react to and incorporate recent conversation and current affairs events and balance impartiality.
• Collaboration approach with both BBC teams and third parties, including creative review processes and approvals, risk management and contingency planning.
• Approach to adapting formats based on performance data and audience feedback.
• A case study of previous work in the social space.
• How you will ensure value for money and your intended project team.

More information will be provided to shortlisted suppliers.

Commissioning and delivery schedule

• Deadline for initial applications: 15 February 2026 at midnight
• Shortlisted companies notified: w/c 9 March 2026
• Pitch meetings: w/c 6 April 2026

Episode production should start within six to eight weeks of contract award, with an initial phase of pilot episodes to test tone, audience response and production approach.

Following that, the output should move to a regular release pattern, ideally publishing on a weekly basis to build audience habit and momentum.

All content produced might also be published across iPlayer, and must align with BBC standard commissioning and delivery requirements.

Terms

• The commission will be contracted on the BBC’s digital terms.
• The opportunity is only open to limited companies based in the UK.
• Submissions from supplier partnerships are welcome. In the case of a partnership, one registered supplier must be designated as the lead partner.
• The BBC reserves the right at any time prior to commissioning, and without incurring any liability to the affected suppliers, to accept or reject any proposal, or to annul the process, rejecting all proposals, without incurring any liability to any of the affected parties.
• All costs incurred directly or indirectly in responding to this brief will be borne solely by the producers.
• Proposals must remain open for acceptance for 180 days from the award.
• The offering of inducement of any kind in relation to obtaining this or any other contract with the BBC will automatically disqualify a producer and may constitute a criminal offence.
• The producer warrants that the concepts and ideas submitted as part of the proposal (in whole or in part) do not infringe any third parties’ rights and agrees to indemnify the BBC against any and all claims resulting from the use of these concepts and ideas.
• The BBC reserves the right to perform any appropriate due diligence (including but not limited to health and safety assessments and/or or financial due diligence) at any stage of this commissioning process prior to the award of a final contract. The producer will provide all assistance required in order to achieve this.