BBC Studios, SBS bring Creator Lab to Australia to link YouTubers with IP

BBC Studios has linked with Australian public broadcaster SBS to expand its Creator Lab initiative to Australia and connect YouTube creators with IP, development opportunities and industry expertise.

Kylie Washington

BBC Creator Lab originated in the UK and is the pubcaster’s talent discovery and development scheme for social and digital creators with an interest in developing a career in television.

Applications are now open for Creator Lab Australia, which is being supported by SBS and will be delivered in partnership with creator economy specialist Changer Studios and BBC Studios TalentWorks.

During the programme’s initial stage, creators will participate in a two-day intensive masterclass in Sydney in September, gaining insights from YouTube, SBS commissioning editors and the BBC Studios unscripted and scripted teams.

Participants will explore audience development, content strategy, format creation and longform storytelling.

From this cohort, creators will be selected for an eight-week hybrid programme in October and November featuring one-on-one mentoring and specialist workshops focused on content development, audience engagement, multiplatform growth and building globally relevant IP.

Throughout the programme, participants will have the opportunity to work on selected established IP from the extensive BBC Studios global catalogue, including from BBC Studios-owned Aussie prodco Werner Film Productions, as well as SBS-owned IP.

Applicants must be over 18 years of age and based in Australia. They must also have more than 50,000 followers on YouTube and/or have developed, created and published at least two videos that have reached over 100,000 views on YouTube. Applications close on September 6.

Kylie Washington, executive VP and creative director, BBC Studios Australia Productions, said: “There is extraordinary creative power within Australia’s creator economy, with talented storytellers building loyal communities and shaping culture every day. Creator Lab is our commitment to investing in that potential.”