The BBC has opened a new commissioning round for deepwatch, a YouTube-first documentary channel targeting 16-24-year-olds across the UK, with a particular focus on engaging younger male audiences.
The initiative will see 20 standalone films commissioned, with an intended regional spread across the UK’s Nations and English regions. Producers based outside London – including those in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions – are being invited to submit ideas, provided they meet criteria around having a substantive regional base and relevant digital production experience.
Each documentary will run for a minimum of 25 minutes and be delivered on a fixed tariff of £50,000. That equates to a £1m startup investment in the channel.
The BBC is seeking projects that can be produced within a compressed timeframe of around three months, favouring contained access, clear narrative structures and small-scale production approaches over complex or long-lead factual productions.
Editorially, deepwatch is positioned as a YouTube-native offer, with an emphasis on pacing, clarity and storytelling designed for online audiences. Commissioners are looking for films anchored by a strong central figure – whether a presenter, creator or contributor – who can guide viewers into under-explored or inaccessible worlds. Rather than traditional broadcast reporting, the brief calls for authentic voices that resonate with younger audiences and can offer a sense of discovery.
The strand is expected to cover a range of subject areas shaping young adulthood in the UK. These include access-led stories exploring hidden systems or online cultures; films examining structural issues such as housing, employment or digital dependency; and observational pieces capturing how young people are navigating early adulthood.
While some topics may be challenging, the BBC has indicated it is seeking tonal range, with space for lighter or more hopeful storytelling alongside more serious themes.
Applicants will need to demonstrate a track record in digital-first or YouTube-oriented content and an understanding of how to package ideas for the platform, including elements such as titles and thumbnails.
The deadline for submissions is midday on May 7, 2026, with successful applicants expected to be notified in early June and delivery scheduled for late August.
Content commissioned for deepwatch may also be distributed on BBC iPlayer and will be subject to standard digital commissioning terms.
