BBC Three

BBC Three returned to linear TV in 2022, but its soul was always online first. The channel targets 16-34s with a mix of comedy, drama, and docs that often feels scrappier than BBC One or Two. Think Fleabag's raw intimacy or Normal People's quiet intensity, this is where the BBC takes its biggest swings. The daytime schedule leans into repeats of panel shows (Mock the Week, QI) and factual formats like Young, Famous & African, but the real energy hits after 9pm. That's when you'll find original documentaries on hard-hitting themes, the undercover prison series or mental health deep-dives. The channel isn't precious about its tone. Some segments feel like YouTube content broadcast on TV, which works when it's playful and jars when it's cheap. Still, for anyone wanting British TV that doesn't smell of anodyne scheduling, BBC Three live delivers. To watch BBC Three online, you'll need a UK TV license, but the iPlayer integration makes catch-up effortless. It's essential viewing for understanding where UK youth culture is trending.