BBC and YouTube in talks over landmark content production deal
Partner Juliane Althoff comments on the news that the BBC and YouTube are in talks over a landmark deal for the broadcaster to produce content for the video platform, in Business Matters.
"This deal marks a strategic acknowledgement of where audiences now sit and how they consume content - especially younger demographics - and reflects the need to increase commercial opportunities to supplement the license fee.
"By commissioning platform content for YouTube while retaining a right to exploit on the iPlayer and BBC Sounds platforms, the BBC is able to extend its audience reach whilst protecting its public service obligations and long-term commercial rights.
"From a legal perspective, the BBC’s move raises important questions around editorial control and brand integrity. Any agreement between the BBC and YouTube will need to be carefully structured to ensure strict impartiality and accuracy in a way that prevents any accusation of bias or misinformation and to safeguard the BBC’s public services obligations and long-term IP value."
An extract of Juliane's comments was published in Business Matters, 19 January 2026.
