UK’s BBC Three receives regulator approval for February linear return

Fleabag

BBC Three, the UK online network behind shows including Fleabag and Killing Eve, has been approved by media regular Ofcom for a linear return in February 2022.

The announcement follows news earlier this year that BBC Three would return as a broadcast channel – then expected to be in January – six years after it was moved to become online-only.

Ofcom recently published its decision to approve the channel, which will be available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin and Freesat with EPG numbers yet to be confirmed.

Last year, the BBC said that it was “considering the case” for reviving the channel and added that it would double its programming budget as it attempts to secure BBC Three’s youth-skewing audience.

The corporation believes that running its content on both a broadcast channel and VOD service BBC iPlayer in tandem will help to grow that demographic.

Fiona Campbell, controller for BBC Three, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Ofcom have now confirmed that BBC Three will be returning to TV screens next year.

“This is a big moment, with the new channel providing a destination for young audiences to discover more content on the BBC.”