BBC Group and YouTube have announced more detail on their new strategic partnership.

The BBC will expand its YouTube activities, focusing on four areas:

Firstly for UK children and young adults, there will be the launch of new targeted channels including Deepwatch (w/t), featuring new and existing BBC documentaries and seven new children’s channels including The Epic Facts channel featuring content from CBBC’s Operation Ouch, Horrible Histories, Horrible Science and Deadly 60.

There will also be the promotion of key BBC programme brands “especially for those people that don’t come to the BBC often to ensure they get value from the BBC.”

There will also be a focus on news “that cuts through the noise” with new global channels, real-time live story streams and innovative story formats. There will also be a focus on driving commercial growth through global fandoms – “through a deeper connection with fans and partnerships with brands, partners and creators.”

The BBC says there were 15 billion annual YouTube views of BBC Studio content, “with watch time nearly doubling year on year and engagement continuing to grow across key global markets.”

The partnership will see the BBC and YouTube support the government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, building on BBC Studio’s TalentWorks and BBC Creator Lab and YouTube’s Launchpad, Accelerators and Masterclass series, by investing in the next generation of creators across the UK, upskilling and partnering with creators and established TV producers who want to create and commission digital-first content.

Led by the National Film and Television School (NFTS), 150 media professionals will be invited to develop their YouTube skills with a series of workshops and events. A specially curated training programme will be hosted online and at BBC hubs in Salford, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast and Cardiff.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General says: “It’s essential that everyone gets value from the BBC, and this groundbreaking partnership will help us connect with audiences in new ways. We’re building from a strong start and this takes us to the next level, with bold homegrown content in formats audiences want on YouTube and an unprecedented training programme to upskill the next generation of YouTube creators from across the UK. Importantly, this partnership also allows new audiences different routes into BBC services like BBC iPlayer and Sounds.”

Pedro Pina, VP EMEA YouTube, added: “We are delighted to partner with the BBC to redefine the boundaries of digital storytelling. This partnership translates the BBC’s world-class content for a digital-first audience, ensuring its cultural impact reaches a younger, more global audience. Beyond the content, our first-of-its-kind training programme represents a deep investment in the UK’s creative pipeline designed to empower the next generation of British talent to lead the global creator economy. In doing so, we are not just telling the stories of today; we are building the stage for the storytellers of tomorrow.”