BBC Three back as a linear TV channel in February

Six years after it moved exclusively online BBC Three is set to return as a linear TV channel in February.

The revamped channel will be available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin and Freesat.

Its return is in many ways driven by a desire of the corporation to connect with younger, more diverse audiences.

Ironically since the channel shifted to online only status it has delivered a series of hits including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, comedy Fleabag and the adaption of the Sally Rooney novel Normal People (pictured above).

BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell said she was “absolutely thrilled”.

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

Not everyone sees the move as progressive though. MP Julian Knight,  who chairs the select committee for the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said, “I question whether putting the clock back five years is the right way to win over 18-35s.” 

Last year the BBC committed £100m of its content spend on diverse productions and talent, a proportion of which has been invested in BBC Three shows such as Make Me Famous, Meet The Khans and Man Like Mobeen.