BBC Three Back As A Broadcast Channel In January 2022 After A Six-Year Hiatus

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh and Fiona Shaw attend the premiere of BBC … [+] America and AMC’s ‘Killing Eve’ at ArcLight Hollywood on April 01, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Getty Images

BBC Three is set to return to U.K. screens earlier next year after a six-year break as an OTT channel. 

The channel has been exerting hits for some years now including Fleabag, Killing Eve and Normal People, causing pressure for BBC brass to reverse the controversial decision in 2015 to make BBC Three a digital channel. 

All of BBC Three’s commissioned hits have ended up making a move over to bigger channel, BBC One. 

“The BBC needs to back success and make sure its programmes reach as many young people as possible wherever they live in the UK,” said the BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore.

“So regardless of the debates about the past, we want to give BBC Three its own broadcast channel again.” 

The channel – still set to target the 16-34 demographic – was thrust into the Save BBC Three campaign helmed by notable figures across entertainment in 2015 when it was taken off the air. 

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 13: The BBC headquarters at New Broadcasting House is illuminated at … [+] night on November 13, 2012 in London, England. Tim Davie has been appointed the acting Director General of the BBC following the resignation of George Entwistle after the broadcasting of an episode of the current affairs programme ‘Newsnight’ on child abuse allegations which contained errors. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Jono Read, the founder of the campaign, said on news of the channel’s return:

“It became clear that the decision to take it off air was a counter-productive move that bosses had taken to sacrifice the station under the guise of budget cuts, and one that was deeply unpopular with its audience.

“Nonetheless the online move has shown real potential for BBC Three and I think it will thrive when it is once again given the chance to combine traditional and new media when it returns to TV in 2022”, he says.

The corporation originally stated that the change was to reallocate extra funding towards drama on BBC One, to the tune of £30m ($42m) per year, to help reduce the budgetary cuts levied by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – and then Chancellor George Osborne – in 2010.

The BBC’s 2020/21 annual report heavily suggested there was a desire from the public for the channel to return to linear television. 

British media regulator Ofcom will still have to officially approve the move before it goes ahead.