BBC Studios Showcase stays digital

The annual BBC Studios Showcase market will take place in digital form only for a second year in 2022.

Paul Dempsey

The event is usually hosted by the commercial and production arm of the UK pubcaster in Liverpool but went online-only in 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

BBC Studios says more than 1,400 delegates took part in its online masterclasses, panels and programme sales market.

It has now confirmed the 46th annual showcase in 2022 will again run online-only, with a three-day programme of events scheduled from February 28 to March 2, 2022.

Series set to premiere to the global market include the second season of blue chip natural history series Frozen Planet and fellow factual series The Greatest Show on Earth.

In scripted, The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies, created and written by Penelope and Ginny Skinner and produced by Chernobyl’s Sister, is a six-part thriller about two women and the conman they have in common.

Blue Lights, a six-part original police drama created by the writers of The Salisbury Poisonings, Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, will also be available.

Paul Dempsey, president of global distribution, said: “We’re proud that BBC Studios Showcase has made the UK a key destination for the world’s content buyers but the pandemic has accelerated changes in the way we can help them discover our shows.

“Their terrific response to our virtual Showcase earlier this year, coupled with continued uncertainty around international travel means that we will once again bring our content to customers digitally next February. Of course, there’s nothing like meeting face to face and we are very much looking forward to the time when we can get together again.”