BBC Studios is laying the groundwork for a profitability growth plan that includes a higher debt facility of US$763 million.  

The commercial arm of Britain’s public broadcaster has been busy strategizing ways to double its annual revenue by 2027/2028, a goal that was previously outlined in its July 2023 financial report. It plans to option and develop more projects across all TV genres, including kids and family content.

BBC Studios is notably home to a top-dog franchise in the global kids media landscape. Bluey generated nearly 44 billion minutes of watch time last year and was the most-streamed series for children in the US, according to Nielsen. (In fact, it was the second most-streamed show in the US overall, finishing just behind legal drama Suits.) In terms of broader brand activity, Bluey also contributed to an impressive 10% year-over-year growth in the division’s 2023 consumer products revenue.

In order to prepare for more content investment activity, BBC Studios has not only raised its debt facility by 42% from US$445 million in 2022; it has also obtained government permission to go as high as US$954 million by 2027. 

Following last week’s announcement that the Beeb’s commercial arm is acquiring ITV’s stake in the BritBox International streamer for US$322 million, today’s news should be celebrated by kids producers in the UK, who have been grappling with commissioning/funding cuts and other market challenges lately.

BBC Studios head Tom Fussell told the Financial Times that his division is aiming to generate US$4 billion in annual revenue and US$572 million in annual profit by 2027. (Last year, its returns were approximately US$460 million.)