The BBC announced today that BBC Studios has won the competitive tender to produce BBC Young Musician, the long running and much loved biennial competition which celebrates the UK’s most promising classical musical performers.

The contract encompasses the production of BBC Young Musician, including five heats on BBC Four and iPlayer and the final, which will now be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer, in addition to broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds. The contract also includes BBC Young Jazz Musician for BBC Four and iPlayer, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, and the eight part series featuring performances from BBC orchestras and guests, Inside Classical, for BBC Four and iPlayer. Collectively, it is the BBC’s biggest TV commitment to classical music outside the Proms.

The tender was launched in November 2022 and from the field of shortlisted tenderers, BBC Studio’s bid scored highest against the published criteria - across editorial proposal and capability, value for money, how it delivers against the BBC’s strategic priorities, and risk.

As part of the terms of the tender, all programmes will be produced out of Wales.

Suzy Klein, BBC Head of Commissioning, Arts & Classical Music says: “Since 1978 BBC Young Musician has set the gold standard for excellence in classical music performance. Over four decades, we have discovered and nurtured the careers of some of the biggest classical stars in the world – we were there with them right at the start and continue to feel a deep sense of pride at their collective success.

This tender process, which also sees the competition final return to BBC Two, underscores our commitment to continuing that celebration of the best in classical performance and bringing that to the broadest possible audience. I know that BBC Studios’ innovative and creatively strong vision for the future of these series will ensure their continued success and, at the same time, I would like to thank and commend all the shortlisted producers for the quality of the bids they put forward.”