BBC Studios Digital Brands is expanding its original programming slate with a lineup targeting highly engaged digital communities across entertainment, travel, automotive, technology and family content.
The slate is led by “The Girls Are Talking”, a weekly video podcast bringing singer Keisha Buchanan, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Kamille, creator Tara Thorpe, radio presenter Issra Wiheba and comedian Sharifa Butterfly together for conversations around fame, money, relationships, identity and womanhood. The 30 x 60-minute series will launch on YouTube and podcast platforms in autumn 2026. The company is also launching “Scran & Scramble: An American in Scotland”, a five-part travel series following U.S. creator Kobie (@Kjordy) alongside Scottish creator Bryan Millar Walker. Produced by Aurora Media Worldwide, the 5 x 22-minute series combines creator-led storytelling with premium travel content.
Top Gear is being extended into adjacent digital categories with two new YouTube channels. “Top Gear Tech”, launching in September, will focus on EVs, robotics, gadgets and emerging technology, while “Top Gear Challenges”, set for October, will feature larger-scale automotive stunts and creator collaborations. The expansion builds on Top Gear’s existing digital performance. Its “First Looks” format generated 19 million views and 1.5 million watch hours in 2025, while “First Drives” delivered 21 million views and 1.8 million watch hours. The slate also includes “The Rewinderz”, a new music-led family format for YouTube channel Bopple Junior. The 10 x 4-minute series targets children aged 4–8 through original music, dance, games and historical adventures.
Jasmine Dawson, SVP Digital at BBC Studios, said “the strategy is focused on developing content around established audience passions while creating new opportunities for brands to reach those communities”. BBC Studios Digital Brands operates more than 150 channels globally and reaches over 350 million people monthly across 17+ languages. In FY25/26, its YouTube portfolio generated 2.1 billion hours of watch time and 7 billion ad impressions.
Source: https://senalnews.com/en/content/bbc-studios-digital-brands-builds-out-new-digital-content-portfolio
