BBC and North East Screen Digital Accelerator opportunity

The BBC and North East Screen Digital Accelerator is a nine-month programme designed to support TV production companies and digital production studios based in the North East to strengthen their digital capability, test new formats and build commercially sustainable content brands.

Backed by £600,000 of investment, companies on the programme will be supported to develop, pilot and deliver digital-first video content of any genre aimed at 16–24 year-olds for both on and off BBC platforms - from vertical video and livestreams to creator collaborations and platform-native storytelling designed for TikTok, YouTube, Twitch and more.

Through structured development and production phases, companies will:

• Gain development and production funding to pilot new digital ideas.
• Work with a BBC commissioner to deliver market-ready pilots for third-party platforms, with potential for repeatable formats or scalable IP.
• Receive tailored creative, editorial and business mentoring from BBC and industry specialists, plus sessions on audience insight, platform strategy and monetisation.
• Have the ability to publish content directly on social platforms.
• Strengthen their digital strategy and build their understanding of digital audiences, platforms and commercial models.
• Establish direct links with commissioners, platforms and creative talent in the North East and beyond.

The programme

Phase one

After submitting an expression of interest form, up to 10 production companies will be selected for phase one, based on their track record and the strength of their business proposal. No editorial ideas are pitched at this stage.

Each of the 10 selected companies will receive £2,000 of development funding along with mentoring to help shape a high-level editorial proposal, and develop commercial, distribution and monetisation plans to sit alongside their editorial idea (in line with BBC editorial standards).

Proposals should outline the companies’ creative ambition in the digital space and what type of content they’d like to produce and publish as part of joining the Digital Accelerator (type of content, format, intended platforms). Proposals must be aimed at a UK target audience of 16-24 year-olds who are digitally native and should focus on publishing beyond BBC platforms.

Phase two

Four of the companies will then be selected for phase two based on the proposals from phase one, and receive a further £5,000 to develop up to three ideas each.

Companies will be supported by the BBC and industry mentors through this process with regular mentor check-ins, platform clinics and creative feedback sessions. Phase two will last approximately three months.

Phase three

On the condition that phase two ideas meet the objectives of the Digital Accelerator, at least one proposal per company will then be selected and taken into production.

Projects will be selected and funded based on their editorial distinctiveness and IP potential, audience and market fit, scalability, digital innovation and regional relevance, the company’s monetisation and business growth strategy, talent engagement and our confidence in their ability to deliver.

This phase will culminate in a showcase event in the North East, attended by BBC commissioners, digital industry experts and platform representatives. Plus, there is the intention for participants to attend industry panels.

Who can apply

We want to work with companies who are committed to developing ambitious new formats and business models along with championing a new generation of North East digital creators, on-screen and off. Broadly, the programme is aimed at two types of company:

TV production company seeking digital diversification

Production companies with a proven track record in television, looking to expand their business model through digital formats and direct-to-platform strategies. These companies should demonstrate a clear business case for entering new markets, eg YouTube, podcasts and/or social video.

Digital production studio seeking to scale and develop wider market appeal

Digital production studios with a strong track record in digital media such as visualised podcasts, short-form video, livestreams or creator-driven content, who are now ready to scale their operations, experiment with format innovation, and develop IP with wider market appeal.

To apply, companies must have:

1. A substantive base in the North East of England, within the North East and Tees Valley Combined Authorities.
2. A track record of producing content in the region - focus on young audiences preferable.
3. Be able to employ at least 50% of the creative talent locally.

We especially welcome applications from companies that are led by individuals from underrepresented groups.

How to apply: initial expressions of interest

To apply companies must submit an expression of interest form, completed via Microsoft forms. Note, no ideas need to be pitched at this stage.

The deadline to submit the form is 21 November 2025 at 11.59pm.

It includes:

An outline of your company’s business plan and the role of monetisable digital content within it, including:

• What will be your primary focus (content type, format, or platform)
• Your track record in this area and growth plans
• Understanding of - and willingness to learn about - advertising-based video on demand (AVOD)

An outline of why the Digital Accelerator is right for your company at this stage of its growth, including:

• What editorial themes or areas you’re keen to explore through the programme
• Any specific platforms or formats you’re looking to develop
• The expected editorial and financial impact on your business

Please email the Digital Accelerator team with any questions. 

Timetable

• Deadline for initial expression of interest form: 11.59pm Friday 21 November 2025
• Selected companies (for phase one) informed: January 2026
• Phase 1 (anticipated dates): January - March 2026
• Phase 2 (anticipated dates): March - May 2026
• Phase 3 (anticipated dates): June - November 2026
• Delivery (anticipated dates): December 2026

Note dates may be subject to change.

Terms

The Digital Accelerator is a development and production programme designed to help North East producers create and publish digital-first content — including work not originally intended for BBC platforms.

During phase one and phase two of the programme, the BBC will take an exclusive UK licence of the content created during this period, with standard turnaround provisions if a project does not move forward. Producers will retain the flexibility to redevelop or place their projects elsewhere once turnaround has been confirmed. This funding will not be recoupable by the BBC or North East Screen.

Headline terms for phase three will be shared with production companies ahead of joining the Digital Accelerator.

The final rights model will be finalised once the type of content produced and target platform is confirmed, but the principle will remain that the BBC will seek to retain appropriate rights for its own platforms while allowing producers flexibility to distribute and commercialise their content elsewhere.

All rights will be managed in the spirit of fairness, creative freedom and long-term opportunity for participating companies.

The Digital Accelerator is a joint programme between the BBC and North East Screen. North East Screen delivers the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) Screen Industries Development Programme, formed by the combined authorities — Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) and North East Combined Authority (NECA).

Please note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.