Five PSBs will share commissioning power and costs
BBC Children’s and Education is to work with four other European broadcasters to fund ambitious new children’s dramas.
The Northern Star Project has been formed by the BBC, DR in Denmark, NPO in the Netherlands, NRK in Norway and VRT, Belgium’s Flemish PSB. The aim is to share commissioning power, resources, costs and co-production opportunities to create high-quality and culturally relevant dramas for audiences aged 7+.
The BBC will create new opportunities for UK producers, writers and talent to work across these multiple markets.
Full details will be announced at the Children’s Media Conference (CMC) next month.
Director of BBC Children’s and Education Patricia Hidalgo said: “Working collectively through Northern Star allows us to do more with the resources we have, backing distinctive stories that resonate with our audiences while helping UK producers connect with partners across Europe.
“It’s a practical way to sustain ambition in children’s drama and ensure culturally relevant storytelling continues to thrive.”
DR Content head of the children’s Morten Skov Hansen said: “International platforms don’t necessarily reflect children’s own lives as they are lived locally. With Northern Star, together with our European public service colleagues, we can create stories that are both locally rooted and have the strength to travel across borders.”
Head of children’s content at VRT, Anne Dreesen, added: “At a time when global competition is intensifying, we believe Europe’s strength lies in collaboration. In bringing together our creativity, diversity, and shared public values to create ambitious, high‑quality drama for young audiences.
“Together, we can build a more connected and resilient ecosystem for children’s content across Europe.”
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