The BBC is introducing new scrollable vertical videos to the BBC News and BBC Sport apps in the U.K. as it expands its short-form video offerings.
“Whether you’re checking breaking news, catching a key sporting moment, or just looking for something to watch next, mobile habits have changed,” Will Farrell-Green, the BBC’s chief product officer, said in announcing the move. “People want content that’s quick to access, easy to navigate, and visually engaging.”
The BBC Sport app is introducing a dedicated Shorts tab for bite-sized video content, including match highlights, analysis, behind-the-scenes footage, and more. BBC News has added a swipeable portrait player for fast access to the latest stories, explainers, and analysis. It has also added new video rails around key topics.
“These updates don’t come out of nowhere,” Farrell-Green said. “They build on earlier experimentation with short-form video on BBC iPlayer, where audiences could browse vertical clips, swipe between videos, and jump straight into full programs or add them to a watchlist. Those trials offered valuable insight into how short-form content can act as a front door into richer, longer-form viewing. And those learnings are shaping experiences across BBC News and Sport.”
