News Broadcasting
BBC to produce tailored content for YouTube, FT reports
LONDON: The BBC is preparing to produce programmes specifically for YouTube for the first time, as the British public broadcaster looks to unlock new revenue streams while audiences drift steadily towards streaming platforms.
According to the Financial Times, the BBC will commission tailored shows for YouTube that will later appear on its own platforms, including iPlayer and BBC Sounds. An announcement could come as early as next week.
The move reflects growing pressure on the licence-fee-funded broadcaster to diversify income without introducing advertising into its domestic services. While the BBC’s UK output remains ad-free, the YouTube partnership would allow advertising to run on programmes viewed outside Britain, with a particular focus on younger audiences.
A small number of older titles may also be made available on YouTube, though these are not expected to be central to the strategy.
The shift comes as YouTube edges ahead of the BBC in Britain’s viewing rankings. In December, YouTube reached 51.9 million UK viewers, narrowly overtaking the BBC’s 50.8 million, according to Barb Audiences.
The development also lands amid legal turbulence for the broadcaster. US President Donald Trump is suing the BBC for at least $10 billion over the editing of footage from a January 6, 2021 speech, a case the corporation has said it will contest.
News Broadcasting
Network18 channels lead YouTube news viewership in March 2026
CNN-News18, News18 India and CNBC channels top categories with record views
MUMBAI: When the world hit refresh on breaking news, Network18’s channels were already streaming ahead. As geopolitical tensions and war-driven headlines fuelled a surge in global news consumption, the network’s digital playbook delivered big clocking record Youtube viewership across English, Hindi and business news categories in March 2026.
At the forefront was CNN-News18, which emerged as the clear leader in the English news segment with 130 million live and video-on-demand views. The channel edged past competitors such as Times of India (126.5 million), Times Now (101.1 million), India Today (88.2 million) and NDTV (77.5 million), according to Databeings data for March.
In the Hindi news arena, News18 India delivered a commanding performance, racking up a staggering 3,297 million views on YouTube. The channel comfortably outpaced NDTV India, which recorded 3,119 million views, underlining its deep reach and consistent engagement with mass audiences, as per Playboard data.
The network’s dominance wasn’t confined to general news. In the Hindi business segment, CNBC Awaaz topped the charts with 92 million views, narrowly ahead of Zee Business (90 million) and well ahead of ET Now Swadesh (57 million). Meanwhile, its English counterpart CNBC-TV18 posted a strong 58 million views, reinforcing the network’s cross-category strength.
The spike in viewership reflects a broader shift in audience behaviour, with viewers increasingly turning to digital platforms particularly Youtube for real-time updates and in-depth coverage during high-intensity news cycles. For Network18, the numbers signal more than just scale; they underline the effectiveness of a multi-platform strategy that blends speed, credibility and continuous coverage.
In a month where the news never paused, it seems viewers chose to stay tuned where the stream never stopped.
