United Kingdom, Jan. 16 -- The BBC is reportedly close to finalising a landmark deal with YouTube that would see the public broadcaster produce original programmes specifically for the video platform.

According to reports first published by the Financial Times and confirmed to Deadline, the agreement would mark the first time the BBC commissions bespoke shows designed primarily for YouTube audiences.

The programmes would be aimed largely at younger viewers and could later migrate to the BBC's own platforms, including iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

An announcement could come as early as next week, though the BBC has declined to comment publicly.

The supposed move reflects the scale of the challenge posed by YouTube, which has increasingly ecl...