Five Northern European public service broadcasters – the BBC, DR (Denmark), NPO (Netherlands), NRK (Norway) and VRT (Flanders) – have formed The Northern Star Project, a new partnership to support the creation of ambitious children’s dramas for audiences aged 7+.
BBC Children’s and Education’s involvement will create new opportunities for UK producers, writers and talent to work across multiple markets. In response to the BBC’s report warning of the alarming decline in UK made children’s content and growing pressures on the children’s media sector. Bringing together the resources to deliver more high-quality projects than any one broadcaster could achieve alone, sharing costs, opening up co-production routes, and helping UK stories reach international audiences.
The first initiative is a development strand for original scripted live-action dramas for young audiences. Projects will be jointly developed, shaped and co-commissioned by all five broadcasters for audiences across Northern Europe. Full details will be announced at the Children’s Media Conference (CMC) in July.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, 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.”
The collaboration brings together funding, expertise and commissioning power across five markets, with the aim of developing and delivering distinctive content that resonates with children across Northern Europe.
Robert Fortuijn, Manager of NPO Zapp (The Netherlands): “Each partner in this collaboration is committed to delivering the very best content for their audience. By joining forces, we combine our strengths to offer an even higher level of quality while also connecting children to stories and perspectives from across Europe.”
Morten Skov Hansen, Head of Children’s Department at DR Content 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.”
Anne Dreesen, Head of children’s content at VRT, said: “By joining the Northern Star Project, VRT is investing in the future of children’s storytelling in Europe. 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.”
Siril Heyerdahl, Head of Children and Youth content at NRK, said: “Working closer together across Europe benefits all our viewers. Through the Northern Star project, NRK is excited to expand our offering to Norwegian children.”
The Northern Star Project reflects a shared long-term commitment to investing in distinctive European children’s content that can travel across borders while remaining rooted in local storytelling.
HG
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