Four independent production companies in the North East of England have each been awarded £100,000 through the BBC and North East Screen’s Digital Accelerator. The funding will support the companies as they develop new content, test ways to build audiences on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, and explore revenue beyond traditional TV commissions.
The pilot also gives the companies access to commissioners and digital specialists. The ideas they will develop range from creator-led arm-wrestling and sidecar adventures to new channels covering DIY, everyday health and social games.
Adventure Alliance Films: Sidecar adventures
Newcastle-based Adventure Alliance Films is working with Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes, known as The Sidecar Guys, on an adventure strand. The pair will travel by motorcycle and sidecar, combining comedy and discovery as they take on challenges and meet people along the way.
FilmNova: Arm-wrestling as creator-led entertainment
Gateshead-based FilmNova is developing an arm-wrestling format that combines sporting competition with creator-led entertainment. It plans to use live events, audience interaction and videos made to be shared across platforms, with the aim of building the format in the North East and reaching an international audience.
Northern Child: DIY and everyday health
Newcastle-based Northern Child is developing two talent-fronted brands for multiple platforms. Just Do It Yourself! (working title) will use newly filmed content to show viewers how to make, repair and install things around the home.
Doctor, Is This Normal? (working title) will use a purpose-built clinic to explore common symptoms and health concerns from the patient’s perspective. The channel is intended to help viewers make sense of conflicting health information online.
Wander Films: Social games for YouTube
Middlesbrough-based Wander Films is developing a YouTube-first entertainment channel that puts real people through high-pressure social games. The challenges will test participants’ judgement and instincts, as well as how well they know the people around them.
Mariel Capisciolto, the BBC’s head of digital development, said: “We’re backing them not just to make great content, but to experiment with new ways of reaching audiences and building sustainable businesses beyond traditional commissioning models.” Capisciolto also took part in the Digital Content Forum this week.
Lisa Laws, development director at North East Screen (pictured), added: “Crucially, this is about more than commissioning content. It’s about helping businesses adapt and evolve as audience behaviours change. The companies taking part are not simply developing new ideas; they’re exploring new business models, new revenue opportunities and new ways of reaching audiences in an increasingly digital world.”
The four awards total £400,000. The accelerator was launched with £600,000 in overall backing from the BBC and the North East Screen Industries Partnership. The partnership is delivered by North East Screen and funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority.
