In an attempt to reach more teenaged viewers, the BBC is rolling out a digital content slate that includes two shows led by YouTubers. Gamer Ali-A will host a Gen-Z take on Pimp My Ride, which beauty vlogger Mimi Missfit will lead an exploration of regional attitudes toward sex education.
Ali-A’s contribution to the BBC digital slate, titled I’m Not Driving That, asks new drivers to pass an advanced test in order to earn the right to have their vehicles remodeled. Spread across 20 22-minute episodes, it will be produced by Endemol Shine North and will be hosted by Ali-A, whose main YouTube channel counts more than 14 million subscribers.
Mimi Missfit, for her own part, will lead Everything You Need To Know About Sex, which will be set in Holland and will examine how Dutch secondary school students learn about sex. Its five 20-minute episodes are produced by Peggy Pictures.
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Both of these shows deal with topics that relate to the life experiences of 13- to 16-year-olds. They will be available through the BBC iPlayer, where they will be nestled in a vertical aimed at teenage viewers. “You don’t see ordinary teens that much on the BBC or shows about those kind of coming-of-age, sensitive subjects, which are key at a really important time in children’s lives,” said BBC Children head of content Cheryl Taylor. “It’s important we remain relevant to all children.”
Release dates for the BBC’s new digital shows have not yet been announced. Details about all of those projects can be found over at Kidscreen.
