BBC3 unveils ‘radical’ proposals

The BBC has revealed initial details of how the new-look BBC3 could look once it moves online, with digital content and two new editorial strands at the heart of proposals.

Two editorial pillars, Make Me Think and Make Me Laugh, will be introduced while the broadcaster will develop new forms of content, fresh formats and more individualised options for viewers.

Damian Kavanagh, controller of BBC Daytime and the lead on the BBC3 proposals, said in a blog that the plans would “re-invent the channel for the digital age and take risks with ideas, talent and technology.”

Make Me Think will combine documentary, current affairs, news and drama shows while Make Me Laugh will centre on scripted comedy, plus personality-led “provocative and edgy” entertainment.

The UK pubcaster plans to spend 80% of BBC3’s budget on long-form shows such as Murdered by My Boyfriend and Bad Education, while 20% will be devoted to digital content including short-form video, image-led storytelling, votes on reactive topics or blog posts from contributors.

Kavanagh said it would mark “a radical change for a ‘TV channel’ to propose committing such a significant amount of its budget to ‘non-TV’ content” but added that it would “lead to greater innovation and allow us to engage with audiences for longer and more depth than ever before.”

The broadcaster also wants audiences to help “shape the editorial offer” and create content for the new channel, which will be available on multiple devices. Short form and digital content will be made available on social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and Twitter, while long-form shows will also air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC iPlayer as well as via on-demand services on Sky, YouView, Freesat and Virgin platforms, subject to negotiations.

Kavanagh added that “new British talent” would be key to developing content and said it would start “finding and nurturing a new generation of content makers who are of the digital world.”

He also admitted that moving the channel online was occurring “earlier than we might have liked” but said the proposed savings of £50m (US$78m) would allow it to beef up programming on other networks and develop “fewer shows but bigger, better and in greater depth” on BBC3.

As part of the proposals, children’s programmes on CBBC will be extended by two hours per night, while a catch-up channel, BBC One+1, will also be introduced.

The changes are subject to approval by the BBC Trust, the governing body of the UK pubcaster, which will start its consultation on the proposals in January.

Tony Hall, the BBC director general who confirmed plans to move BBC3 online earlier this year, said that “difficult decision” had resulted in “one of the most exciting and ambitious proposals I’ve seen since I came back to the BBC.”