Tom Fussell and Zai Bennett discuss BBC Studios' streaming expansion, market outlook amid consolidation, and the status of Bluey: The Movie
The leadership team at BBC Studios used its showcase appearance in London to set out a strategic roadmap for the company. CEO Tom Fussell and CEO and chief creative officer Zai Bennett addressed policy concerns and commercial priorities during opening day briefings.
Executives responded to questions about U.S. tariff rhetoric and industry consolidation reports. They also discussed plans to expand the broadcaster’s U.S. streaming footprint and highlighted the company’s slate, including the animated feature Bluey: The Movie.
The briefing coincided with the opening day of the annual BBC Studios event. Leaders also emphasised both legacy and recent successes across formats. Notable titles cited included franchise performer Bluey, Netflix series Baby Reindeer, the legal drama The Split and its spin-off The Split Up, and natural history projects such as Walking With Dinosaurs.
The executives noted the slate will feature programming tied to naturalist David Attenborough’s 100th birthday on May 8. They presented these projects as central to the company’s content strategy and international growth plans.
Following presentations described as central to the company’s content strategy and international growth plans, CEO Tom Fussell addressed recent public commentary by U.S. political leaders on tariffs. He said the remarks have produced no impact on business and pointed to the enduring reach of the BBC brand and steady demand for BBC News in the United States. Fussell declined to comment on any legal matters involving public figures and the broadcaster, and he emphasized the organisation’s resilience and stable audience relationships.
On industry consolidation, Fussell characterised recent reports linking Netflix with Warner Bros. Discovery as symptomatic of slower sector growth. He said mergers reflect companies seeking synergies when organic expansion cools. He added that BBC Studios remains diversified and focused on controllable priorities, including targeted investments to support long-term transformation and studio expansion.
Fussell pointed to the studio’s strong financial trajectory, noting a 55.7 percent revenue increase over the past four years as evidence of a business that is both expanding and reshaping itself. That performance underpins a dual approach: sustained organic investment in content and platform development, combined with openness to inorganic opportunities such as targeted acquisitions.
He cited past transactions to illustrate capability and intent, including the 2019 agreement to assume full control of UKTV entertainment channels and the transaction with ITV that consolidated control of BritBox International. Fussell said the company will remain judicious when deploying capital, noting that large-scale streaming bets require time to mature and deliver returns.
The studio is prioritizing investments that support long-term transformation and controlled growth. That includes further building owned franchises and expanding studio capacity to serve third-party partners.
Management signalled continued emphasis on strengthening distribution platforms and monetizing international rights. Selective acquisitions will be evaluated for strategic fit and near-term commercial upside rather than scale for scale’s sake.
Fussell reiterated a focus on controllable priorities: measured content spend, disciplined dealmaking and capital allocation that preserves optionality while supporting studio expansion.
Building on priorities of measured content spend and disciplined dealmaking, Bennett said the studio is balancing organic growth with selective inorganic moves.
He joined the role in late , and described steady organic momentum at BBC Studios Productions alongside a targeted appetite for deals in specific geographies. He cited the rest of Europe and the Middle East and Africa as regions under consideration for inorganic expansion, while stressing the studio’s identity as a centre for British streaming content.
On streaming, Fussell highlighted North American traction for BritBox and BBC Select. He noted that BBC Select is marking its fifth anniversary and ranks as the third-largest factual SVOD service in the United States. BritBox’s subscriber growth and the launch of a premium tier were presented as strategic steps within the platform approach.
Following the discussion of BritBox’s subscriber growth and the launch of a premium tier, Bennett outlined shifting content trends and the studio’s programming priorities.
He said teams are experimenting with shorter-form microdramas. He added the company will favour a programming strategy rooted in specificity, with a clear sense of British identity rather than broad generalities.
Bennett predicted the market will settle into a new normal. He said this phase will be less buoyant than the exceptional growth of the prior five-year period. He nevertheless pointed to recovery signals, including renewed spending from major players such as Paramount.
Both executives expect renewed energy across scripted, unscripted and children’s programming. Fussell said the company will be striving again across those categories.
He emphasised the strategic role of children’s content in the studio’s expansion plans. Bennett said BBC Studios is actively assessing viewer demand for escapist fare versus programmes that engage with current cultural and political divides.
Reporters also questioned executives about evergreen properties. On whether long-running motoring series Top Gear might return to U.K. broadcast schedules, director Bennett replied diplomatically: never say never.
On the anticipated Bluey: The Movie, Fussell said a recent visit to creator Joe Brumm’s Brisbane studio was an “absolute pleasure” and confirmed that production is progressing well. He declined to provide further specifics.
Bennett said he had seen preliminary material and described it as “amazing,” offering a cautiously positive preview for the series’ audience.
Executives said the company will continue to invest in proven strengths, pursue targeted acquisitions and prioritize measured expansion of streaming services and premium family franchises.