In its newly released annual plan for 2025/2026, the BBC is gearing up to put a number of new strategies in motion as it seeks to tackle “an unprecedented content funding challenge” amid an ongoing decline in global co-productions. 

Entering this new fiscal year with a leaner workforce following “aggressive” savings efforts that included a voluntary redundancy program, a statement notes: “We have delivered significant efficiencies, including cutting 2,000 roles over the last five years, but continuing with this approach is no longer sustainable.” 

However, the Beeb’s commercial arm says it’s on track to meet a five-year commitment to generate US$1.95 billion in returns (£1.5 billion) by 2026/2027, which represents a 30% increase from the previous five-year period.

And compared to 15 years ago, the BBC’s annual budget is down by US$1.2 billion (£1 billion) after inflation, painting a picture of steady decline. As discussions to shape the next BBC Charter begin, the pubcaster vows to secure an agreement that safeguards its independence and ensures its sustainability in the long term with sufficient and reliable funding. 

BBC Children’s and Education underlined its continued “significant annual investment” in domestically produced kids content, which it says is particularly important in a time when other media companies have retreated from serving this audience.

Youth learning resource BBC Bitesize will roll out its first educational experience on Roblox in the coming year with Planet Planners—a geography-themed game that has been developed with support from the Roblox Community Fund. And in another move to expand its multi-platform presence, the Beeb will release Newsround bulletins on YouTube for the first time, in addition to CBBC/iPlayer. YouTube appears to be a growing priority for the pubcaster, which says that it’s also looking into ways to bring Bitesize onto the platform to better reach its youngest audiences.

In addition to highlighting a fresh slate of commissions that were announced last week and upcoming titles such as The Lady Grace Mysteries (CBBC) and Piripenguins (CBeebies), the BBC gave a shout-out to last year’s Oscar-nominated feature Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (pictured). This Aardman pic ranked second on the BBC’s top-10 list of most-viewed titles for 2024, attracting an audience of 21.6 million in 28 days, according to BARB.