North East Screen and the BBC have officially launched the Digital Accelerator, a pioneering nine-month initiative designed to supercharge the digital ambitions of production companies based in North East England.
Backed by £600,000 of investment from the BBC and North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), funded by the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority, the programme will support up to four regional companies in piloting, and delivering digital-first video content aimed at 16–24 year olds on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and more.
The programme was officially unveiled at a launch event held at Stockton Arc yesterday (Monday 3rd November), after being initially announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August, with Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen and Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audiences and interim director of unscripted. Athena Witter, CEO & Founder of Engine Pop, also joined to share insights about the digital landscape.
The event brought together production companies, digital creators, freelancers, and industry leaders from across the region. Attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from the BBC commissioning team, learn how to apply and network with fellow creatives and industry experts.
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The BBC’s Campbell said: “The Digital Accelerator is a bold next step in our mission to grow digital production talent across the UK. By empowering North East companies to experiment, test, and scale digital-first ideas, we’re not only investing in the region’s creative future, we’re helping shape the BBC’s own evolution in how we reach and reflect 16–24-year-old audiences.”
Lisa Laws, development director at North East Screen, added: “The North East is a rapidly growing production hub, and we’re committed to sustaining that momentum by backing our companies to create bold, digital-first content that resonates with young audiences.
“As viewing habits continue to evolve, the Digital Accelerator represents a transformative leap forward for the region’s screen sector. This programme is not just about content; it’s about building a future-ready ecosystem that drives long-term growth.”
The Digital Accelerator is part of the BBC’s wider commitment to growing production capacity and creative opportunity across the UK, with a focus on building a sustainable digital production ecosystem in the North East.
The programme will include mentorship from leading industry experts and a series of webinars focusing on audience insights and digital best practice.
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be based in the North East or Tees Valley Combined Authorities, demonstrate a strong track record in content production, and show a clear commitment to employing at least 50% creative talent locally.
Interested companies have until Friday 21st November 2025 to complete an expression of interest. Click here for more information on the full programme.
