BBC Studios is exploring opportunities for inorganic growth in the international streaming space, signaling potential acquisitions similar to its purchase of BritBox International.
CEO Tom Fussell indicated that the company remains open to strategic deals that would strengthen its global direct-to-consumer footprint.
Expanding its DTC platforms, particularly BritBox and BBC Select, is a clear strategic priority. The company is focused on scaling its owned and operated services while maintaining flexibility in an increasingly consolidated market.
Addressing the widely discussed consolidation trends involving players such as Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global, Fussell noted that market growth has slowed compared to the “peak TV” era, prompting companies to seek greater scale and operational synergies.
YouTube distribution is another key pillar of BBC Studios’ strategy. The company acknowledges that presence on ad-supported platforms is now essential, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining disciplined windowing strategies and rights management.
Bluey remains the company’s most valuable IP, with more than 20 million social media followers worldwide. A feature film project is currently in development, alongside broader IP expansion and licensing initiatives.
BBC Studios is also actively exploring the microdrama space. Executives believe that the company’s high-volume drama production expertise, demonstrated through long-running series such as EastEnders and Casualty, could be adapted to shorter, vertical storytelling formats.
Artificial intelligence is under consideration as well, particularly for use in drama-documentary reconstructions and more cost-efficient production workflows.
Following a period of co-production challenges, the BBC has entered what executives describe as a “new normal,” with financing from U.S. partners beginning to flow again.
