Staff Reporter | On 18, Oct 2020

It’s happened. It’s here. BBC Three transformed from an old-fashioned linear channel into a hip, happening online channel on 16th February 2016, as the BBC both tries to cut costs and embrace the changing viewing habits of younger audiences.

What can you expect from the channel? Well, it promises a mix of both long and short content, with broadly the same kind of programming as before, from documentaries to comedy – as well as a continuing focus on nurturing new talent.

“There will be as much contemporary British drama from BBC Three as ever before,” confirmed Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, upon the channel’s launch.

“When we were developing BBC Three, we kept everything focused on what our audience told us they wanted,” he added. “Different types of content they could dip into during the day that kept them informed and entertained, and comedy and documentaries they could binge watch at their convenience. That’s basically the idea behind The Daily Drop [daily updates such as image galleries or short films] and The Best Of [BBC Three’s new, original programming]. Snackable daily updates for when you’re on the bus and longer programmes and other content for when you’re in front of the TV. For those big moments when you want a collective viewing experience we’re using the BBC’s live platform so we can create moments like director Q&As, and encourage audience interaction.”

But what exactly is on the way to BBC Three? Here’s a guide to the shows coming soon to the BBC’s first online channel. (We’ll be updating this every week so you never miss the latest shows to stream.)

For more information on how to watch BBC Three, click here – or head this way for our fortnightly column reviewing what’s new and worth watching on BBC Three.

Rent Like A Boss – 18th October

This four-episode series aims to help young renters tackle the housing crisis. The number of people renting has doubled in the last ten years, with young people half as likely to own a home as the generation that came before them. And they’re not happy – a fifth of tenants have complained about how they were treated by letting agents and landlords.

So BBC Three has enlisted the help of estate agents and property experts Big V and Tobias to take on some of the UK’s most widespread renting dilemmas. The duo travel the country to help young viewers, from those starting out in their rental journey trying to find an affordable home, to young tenants trapped in unethical housing by inflexible contracts. All episodes are released at once as a box set.

Available from 6am on BBC iPlayer

The Rap Game Us: Season 2, Episode 1 – 22nd October

The Rap Game UK is back. Six artists from across the UK travel to Birmingham to compete against each other for the chance to sign a single record deal.

In Episode 1, straight after meeting one another, the artists perform for the first time in front of rap legends Krept, Konan, and DJ Target. In an A Capella performance, the artists must show why they are a unique artist – but not all of them rise to the challenge.

Later, after being blown away by the luxury penthouse in which they’ll live and work for the duration of the process, the artists discover their next challenge: to write about a powerful moment that shaped their life.

Episodes arrive weekly.

Available from 7pm on BBC iPlayer

Stand Up for Live Comedy: Episode 5 – 23rd October

Filmed in six different cities across the UK in outdoor locations with socially distanced audiences, this series aims to support grassroots comedy talent in light of the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the stand-up industry. Episode 5 takes us to Dreamland’s iconic Roller Room in Margate, where Kiri Pritchard-McLean introduces Vlad Illich, Priya Hall and Jonny Pelham.

Available from 6am on BBC iPlayer

Is This Coercive Control? – 27th October

Coercive control has been illegal in England since 2015, but how well do people understand it, and would they be able to spot it if they saw it happening? To find out, journalist and presenter Ellie Flynn brings together a group of 20 young people aged 18-30 for a social experiment, to see if they understand what constitutes coercive control.

Coercive control describes a pattern of behaviour by an abuser to harm, punish or frighten their victim. Over the last 18 months, coercive control has hit the headlines following the re-trial of Sally Challen over the killing of her husband.

Over the course of two days, the group watch a specially-written drama telling the story of the relationship between Rachel and Alex, which ends with an accusation of coercive control. As the story gradually unfolds over six parts, the group are invited to come to their own conclusions on what they see, and decide whether they think what they have witnessed constitutes a crime in the eyes of the law.

At each stage of the process, the group has the chance to vote on whether they think there is anything wrong with the actions of Rachel or Alex, before finally voting on whether they believe any of these actions constitute the crime of coercive control.

Available from 6am on BBC iPlayer

The Rap Game UK: Season 2, Episode 2 – 29th October

It’s episode two of The Rap Game UK. This week tests the six artists in the key MC skills of collaborating and clashing. DJ Target, Krept and Konan pair off the artists in duos to prove they can work together. Special guests Young T and Bugsey offer their experience and guidance. Can Graft and Micahh show they have the skill to remain in the competition? Or will it be the end of the road for one of these MCs?

Available from 7pm on BBC iPlayer

Stand Up for Live Comedy: Episode 6 – 30th October

Filmed in six different cities across the UK in outdoor locations with socially distanced audiences, this series aims to support grassroots comedy talent in light of the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the stand-up industry. The final episode takes us to London, where Jamali Maddix, Michael Odewale, Eleanor Tiernan and Helen Bauer take to the stage.

Available from 6am on BBC iPlayer

The Rap Game UK: Season 2, Episode 3 – 5th November

It’s episode three of The Rap Game UK. This week there are two fresh challenges to test the six artists further – working under pressure, and rapping with purpose.

DJ Target, Krept & Konan spring a shock on the artists by surprising them with their first challenge: they have 60 minutes to write about their musical influences. It’s a race against time as the artists attempt to prove they can write bars under pressure, before performing in front of rap legend D Double E.

Available from 7pm on BBC iPlayer

Ovie: Life After Reality TV – 10th November

Last year, 6ft 7′ Ovie Soko’s life changed when he shot to instant fame after appearing on Love Island 2019. Known for his irresistible charm and laid-back persona, the 29 year-old won the hearts of a nation.

But some may not know that Ovie was carving out a successful career in professional basketball before he entered the villa. For the past year, between social media adverts and television appearances, Ovie has been juggling life between being a reality TV star with the demands of professional sport.

Realising he can’t carry on doing both, Ovie must choose the next chapter in his life. Is he built for the show biz industry or will it chew him up and spit him out? To help him decide what to do next, Ovie looks hard at what it means to be a reality TV star and speaks to famous faces in the industry.

Available from 6am on BBC iPlayer

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