Editing BBC Three (section)

==History==
===Original run===
[[File:BBC Three (2003).svg|thumb|Logo used from 2003 to 2008]]
[[File:BBC Three (2008).svg|thumb|Logo used from 2008 to 2016]]
In mid-2000, the BBC decided to reposition and rebrand their two digital channels so that they could be more closely linked to the well established [[BBC One]] and [[BBC Two]]. Their plan was for [[BBC Knowledge]] to be replaced with [[BBC Four]] (which took place in 2002) and for [[BBC Choice]] to be replaced with BBC Three. However, questions were raised over the proposed format of the new BBC Three, as some thought the new format would be too similar to the BBC's commercial rivals, namely [[ITV2]] & [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]] at the time. It would be unnecessary competition. Whilst BBC Four, the BBC's proposed children's channels and digital radio stations all received approval, the BBC Three plans were rejected in September 2001.

The channel was eventually given the go ahead, eleven months after the original launch date on 17 September 2002, following a change to the remit of the channel where a 15-minute news programme and an altered target age range of 25-34 audiences. BBC Three was launched on 9 February 2003.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2738245.stm | work=BBC News | title=BBC Three digital channel launches | date=10 February 2003 | access-date=3 February 2011 | archive-date=17 February 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060217211605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2738245.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> The channel was launched by Stuart Murphy, who previously ran BBC Choice, and before that [[Play UK|UK Play]], the now-discontinued [[UKTV]] music and comedy channel. At 33, Murphy was still the youngest channel controller in the country, a title he had held since launching UK Play at the age of 26; although on 20 October 2005 it was announced that Murphy was soon to leave the channel to work in commercial television.
On 12 May 2011, BBC Three was added to the Sky EPG in the Republic of Ireland on channel 229.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theairwaves.net/channelnews/4399-ireland-extra-bbc-channels-being-added-to-sky-epg |title=Ireland: Extra BBC channels being added to Sky EPG |publisher=The Airwaves |date=2 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507070203/http://www.theairwaves.net/channelnews/4399-ireland-extra-bbc-channels-being-added-to-sky-epg |archive-date=7 May 2011}}</ref> It was later moved to channel 210 on 3 July 2012, to free up space for new channels.

For the duration of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], BBC Three increased its broadcasting hours to 24 hours to provide extra coverage of Olympic events.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/bbcthree/2012/07/the-olympics-on-bbc-three.shtml |title=The Olympics on BBC Three |publisher=BBC Three |date=27 July 2012 |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140527165810/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/bbcthree/2012/07/the-olympics-on-bbc-three.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> Broadcast hours were extended again for the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]] with BBC Three broadcasting from 9:00 am to 4:00 am for the duration of the games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/cwg/ |title=Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-date=21 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521200350/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/cwg |url-status=live }}</ref> On 16 July 2013 the BBC announced that a [[High-definition television|high-definition]] (HD) [[simulcast]] of BBC Three would be launched by early 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23326709 |title=BBC to launch five new HD channels |work=BBC News |date=16 July 2013 |access-date=16 July 2013 |archive-date=16 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716105627/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23326709 |url-status=live }}</ref> The channel launched on 10 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/new-hd-channels.html |title=BBC to launch five new subscription-free HD channels on Tuesday 10 December |publisher=BBC |date=9 December 2013 |access-date=9 December 2013 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211204948/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/new-hd-channels.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The former controller of the station, [[Zai Bennett]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12009574 | work=BBC News | title=Zai Bennett announced as new BBC Three controller | date=16 December 2010 | access-date=16 November 2013 | archive-date=5 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605150250/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12009574 | url-status=live }}</ref> left to join [[Sky Atlantic]] in July 2014, at which point BBC Three commissioner Sam Bickley became acting controller.<ref>{{cite news|title=BBC Three appoints new channel boss Sam Bickley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27661302|access-date=2 June 2014|work=BBC News|date=2 June 2014|archive-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603091347/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27661302|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Replacement by Internet service===
==== Proposal ====
In February 2014 at the Oxford Media Conference, BBC Director-General [[Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead|Tony Hall]] stated that as part of the ongoing "Delivering Quality First" initiative at the corporation (which, as motivated by the government freeze of [[Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license]] fee costs, aims to reach £700 million in cost-savings across the BBC up to the end of the 2016–17 television season),<ref name="guardian-leastworst"/><ref name="guardian-reviewshowmove">{{cite news|title=Review Show moves to BBC4 monthly slot in arts revamp|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/26/review-show-arts-moves-bbc4-monthly|access-date=18 February 2016|work=The Guardian}}</ref> the BBC was in the process of finalizing plans to make another £100 million in cuts to be announced the following month. Believing that general budget cuts across the entire corporation would compromise the quality of its in-house productions—especially [[Television drama|dramas]], which he described as being the "essence" of the BBC—Hall stated that these cuts could require "hard decisions" to be made. He explained that the corporation had "reached the point where salami-slicing would affect quality and distinctiveness. Rather than seek to preserve a less good version of our past, we decided to focus on what we do best: from drama to taking [[BBC iPlayer|iPlayer]] into the next generation."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/feb/26/bbc-channel-extra-cuts-tony-hall|title=BBC could axe frontline channel or service as it seeks extra £100m in cuts|last=Plunkett|first=John|date=26 February 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=5 March 2014}}</ref>

On 5 March 2014, the BBC announced several cost-savings proposals, subject to the approval of the [[BBC Trust]]. Among them were plans to discontinue BBC Three as a television channel, and convert it into an online service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26447089|title=BBC Three to be axed and move online|date=5 March 2014|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=5 March 2014}}</ref> In its proposal, the BBC stated that while motivated by financial considerations, the conversion was a "future-facing move" that would "develop a ground-breaking new online service which will bring high quality, distinctive UK-originated long form and new form interactive content to 16–34 year olds", and take advantage of the increased use of online services by the channel's target demographics. It was outlined that the service would have to leverage the "strengths" of BBC Three, such as curation, original productions, and "best-in-class storytelling", and adapt them to the "immediacy" and interactivity of digital.<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/>

As the service would not be bound to the limitations of linear schedules, the scope of the new BBC Three would fall under three "editorial pillars" as opposed to programming genres: "Make Me Laugh" reflects comedic and "personality-driven" programmes, and "Make Me Think" reflects current affairs, drama, and other factual programming. A third pillar, "Give Me a Voice", reflects that the service's content would be of topical interest to the 16–34 year-old demographic, and would encourage discussion and participation especially via [[social media]].<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/> The overall programming budget of the service would be reduced by nearly half in comparison to the BBC Three channel. While it would have a larger focus on short-form [[web series]], the service planned to continue investments into commissioning long-form programmes and "comedy at near current levels", and serving as an incubator for new talent. The service's output would primarily be delivered through iPlayer, but plans called for a revamped "branded space" to showcase the content, as well distributing short-form productions via alternative outlets such as [[YouTube]].<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/service_changes/bbc_three_application.pdf |title=Public Value Assessment of the re-invention of BBC Three online and related proposals |publisher=BBC |access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref>

When the BBC revealed the full detail in December 2014, it admitted there was widespread opposition from BBC Three viewers<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/> but said there was support for the wider package of proposals. They believed the public welcomed a BBC One +1 as it admits "a vast majority of viewing still takes place on linear channels".<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/> The "Save BBC Three'" campaign pointed out this was a contradiction to what the BBC said about BBC Three.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/service_changes/pva/public_consultation.pdf |title=BBC Trust Public Value Assessment Public Consultation Report |publisher=BBC |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105083642/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/service_changes/pva/public_consultation.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[BBC Trust]] began a 28-day public consultation regarding the plans on 20 January 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/bbc_three_proposals|title=Trust begins public consultation on BBC Three proposals|date=20 January 2015|publisher=BBC Trust|access-date=26 January 2022|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126220538/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/bbc_three_proposals|url-status=live}}</ref> and it ended with a protest outside [[Broadcasting House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31509042 |title=Save BBC Three petition delivered to BBC Trust |work=BBC News |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=29 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129121259/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31509042 |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the consultation a letter of 750 names against the move from the creative industry was sent to the BBC Trust, and this had the backing of a number of celebrities including [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Aidan Turner]], [[Olivia Colman]] and [[Lena Headey]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Midgley |first=Neil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/08/save-bbc3-petition-daniel-radcliffe-lena-headey |title=BBC stars and comics among hundreds calling on broadcaster to save BBC3 |work=The Guardian |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219073545/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/08/save-bbc3-petition-daniel-radcliffe-lena-headey |url-status=live }}</ref> The polling company [[ICM Research|ICM]] concluded a "large majority" of those that replied to the consultation were against the move,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> with respondents particularly concerned about those who cannot stream programming online, the effect of the content budget cuts, and the BBC's own admission the audience numbers would drop.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[Jimmy Mulville]] and [[Jon Thoday]] of independent production companies [[Hat Trick Productions]] and Avalon reportedly considered legal action against the Trust if it went ahead with the closure of the channel.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sweney |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/03/bbc3-producers-call-on-culture-secretary-to-launch-review-into-closure |title=BBC3: producers call on culture secretary to launch review into closure |work=The Guardian |date=3 July 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231105555/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/03/bbc3-producers-call-on-culture-secretary-to-launch-review-into-closure |url-status=live }}</ref> They had previously offered to buy the channel to keep it on television, but the BBC said the channel was not up for sale.<ref>{{cite web |last=Midgely |first=Neil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/17/bbc3-bid-jimmy-mulville-jon-thoday-trust |title=BBC3 bid: Jimmy Mulville and Jon Thoday step up pressure on trust |work=The Guardian |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230173851/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/17/bbc3-bid-jimmy-mulville-jon-thoday-trust |url-status=live }}</ref>

Media writer [[Roy Greenslade]] considered the change to be "unquestionably the most sensible or perhaps the least worst" way of cutting costs. While admitting BBC Three's recent success in targeting its demographic and its role as a launchpad for new talent, he argued that BBC Three was "a marginal channel with a small share of the overall television audience", and that "'Hard decisions' are just that. If the BBC is to have any hope of sustaining its quality core output then a sacrifice had to be made."<ref name="guardian-leastworst">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/mar/05/bbc3-tony-hall|title=Tony Hall's axing of BBC3 is the least worst way of saving money|first=Roy|last=Greenslade|work=The Guardian|date=5 March 2014 }}</ref>

==== Approval and launch ====
[[File:BBC Three logo.svg|thumb|Logo from 2016 to 2020.]]
[[File:BBC Three (2020).svg|thumb|230px|Logo used from 2020 to 2021]]
The transition was finalised by the BBC Trust in November 2015. The trust cited the shifting viewing habits of BBC Three's target audience from linear TV to digital services, and that the discontinuation of BBC Three as a television channel would allow the BBC to "deliver more distinctive content online, while bearing down on costs". Conditions were imposed on other BBC properties to complement the changes; [[BBC One]] and [[BBC Two|Two]] were required to develop "distinctive programmes designed for younger audiences", as well as air repeats of all full-length programmes commissioned for BBC Three. The trust also approved related proposals to allow first-run and third-party content on iPlayer, and extend [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]]'s broadcast day to 9:00&nbsp;p.m. (CBBC signed off at 7:00&nbsp;p.m. to conserve [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] bandwidth for BBC Three) with a focus on an older youth audience.<ref name="telegraph-parentsconcerns">{{cite news|title=BBC Trust rejects parents' concerns over keeping CBBC on air until 9pm |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/12019648/BBC-Trust-rejects-parents-concerns-over-keeping-CBBC-on-air-until-9pm.html|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="bbc-3shutdownconditions">{{cite web|title=BBC Trust publishes final decision on proposals for BBC Three, CBBC, iPlayer, BBC One+1|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/service_changes_decision|publisher=BBC|access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref>

On 4 January 2016, it was announced that the new BBC Three digital service would launch on 16 February 2016.<ref name="digitalspy.com">{{cite web|last=Goodacre |first=Kate |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a775348/bbc-three-will-move-online-in-march-2016-as-bbc-trust-approves-plans-to-axe-broadcast-tv-channel/ |title=BBC Three will move online in March 2016 as BBC Trust approves plans to axe broadcast TV channel |publisher=Digital Spy |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35221706 |title=BBC Three reveals new logo and switchover date |publisher=BBC |date=4 January 2016 |access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> BBC Three controller Damian Kavanagh explained that the new digital service would feature the "same award-winning programmes freed from the constraints of linear TV", emphasizing the ability to distribute content across "whatever format and platform is most appropriate".<ref name="wired-postreboot"/> Hall described the internal atmosphere surrounding the new BBC Three as being like a "[[startup company|startup]]", explaining that "I love the feeling of going and being with Damian's team. It feels creative, energetic and mischievous as well, just as it should be."<ref name="rt-likeastartup">{{cite web|title=New BBC3 feels "like a start-up" says director general Tony Hall|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-26/new-bbc3-feels-like-a-start-up-says-director-general-tony-hall|website=Radio Times|access-date=15 February 2016}}</ref> Kavanagh felt that the concise "pillars" of BBC Three, combined with its new structure, would give creators more flexibility and immediacy in how they produce content. He explained that "we can allow people to do things that I don't think other broadcasters can really do at the moment—in terms of giving people room to try things and also play around with form in a way we couldn’t have done if we'd stayed on television", with the remainder of the BBC's content ecosystem as a "safety net".<ref name="guardian-onlineonly"/> Kavanagh also emphasized a continued goal to use the service as an incubator for new talent, hoping that it will be remembered as "the place that spotted the next [[James Corden]], the next [[Aidan Turner]], the next whoever."<ref name="rt-likeastartup"/>

On 13 February 2016, prior to the service's launch, it was reported that the BBC was considering merging BBC Three and [[BBC Radio 1]] under unified management if the digital BBC Three service is not successful. Kavanagh stated that he himself was unaware of this proposal, but added that BBC Three was "a really powerful youth brand with 13 years' heritage" and that he "[didn't] see the logic in winding down something that has that audience, and has that badge of quality, and has that heritage."<ref name="bbc-rd13merge">{{cite news|title='Merger plan' for BBC Three and Radio One|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35566451|access-date=15 February 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref>

The BBC Three television channel formally signed off during the late-night evening of 15 February 2016, concurrent with the official re-launch of the new BBC Three a day later. The last programme aired was an episode of ''[[Gavin & Stacey]]'', introduced by its co-star [[James Corden]] from the set of his then current U.S. chat show ''[[The Late Late Show with James Corden|The Late Late Show]]'' in Los Angeles. The channel space continued to carry promotional information regarding the BBC Three online service, as well as a marathon of selected programmes from midnight, until it officially shut down on 31 March 2016.<ref name="guardian-onlineonly"/><ref name="dspy-finalshow">{{cite web|title=James Corden bids farewell to BBC Three with a heartfelt message: 'It took a chance on Gavin & Stacey'|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a783648/james-corden-bids-farewell-to-bbc-three-with-a-heartfelt-message-it-took-a-chance-on-gavin-stacey/|website=Digital Spy|date=15 February 2016 |access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref>

=== Return to linear television ===
From March 2019, programmes from BBC Three were carried by BBC One from Monday to Wednesday after the ''[[BBC News at Ten]]'' under the name ''BBC Three on BBC One''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvbeurope.com/content/bbc-three-programming-returns-to-linear-tv|title=BBC Three programming returns to linear TV|date=11 February 2019|website=TVBEurope|language=en-GB|access-date=3 October 2019|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611135747/https://www.tvbeurope.com/content/bbc-three-programming-returns-to-linear-tv|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/14/anger-over-bbc-plan-to-cut-news-at-ten-by-10-minutes|title=Anger over BBC plan to cut News at Ten by 10 minutes|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=14 February 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 October 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828061044/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/14/anger-over-bbc-plan-to-cut-news-at-ten-by-10-minutes|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2020, the BBC submitted its annual general plan for 2020–2021. It stated that the broadcaster was considering reinstating BBC Three as a linear channel with a doubled budget, citing that its content "now has the potential to reach a wider audience on a linear channel, as well as the key demographic which will continue to watch online."<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 May 2020|title=BBC Three could return as an on-air channel|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52719883|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120124350/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52719883|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of series carried by the service, including ''[[Fleabag]]'' and ''[[Normal People (TV series)|Normal People]]'', had achieved strong critical acclaim, with ''Fleabag'' in particular winning multiple [[Primetime Emmy Awards]].<ref name="bbc-return"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=22 September 2019|title=Emmys 2019: Game of Thrones Ties Record and Leads TV Pack; Fleabag, Chernobyl and Mrs. Maisel Win Big|url=https://tvline.com/2019/09/22/emmys-2019-awards-winners-list/|access-date=24 September 2019|website=TVLine|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727222920/https://tvline.com/2019/09/22/emmys-2019-awards-winners-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> Research released in September 2020 showed that BBC Three was being viewed for 89% less time per-year since the closure of its linear broadcast platform, and 72% if rebroadcasts of its content on other BBC linear channels were included. In the year after it closed its linear broadcast platform its weekly audience of viewers aged 16–34 declined 69% compared with the year before the closure.<ref name=":0" />

On 2 March 2021, the BBC officially announced plans to reinstate BBC Three as a linear channel by January 2022, subject to approval by [[Ofcom]]. As before, it will timeshare with the CBBC channel and broadcast from 7:00&nbsp;p.m. to 4:00&nbsp;a.m. nightly. There will be pre-[[Watershed (broadcasting)|watershed]] programming targeting teenagers as part of the schedule.<ref name="bbc-return">{{Cite news|date=2 March 2021|title=BBC Three will return to TV screens after six-year break|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56251020|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320110357/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56251020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Grater|first=Tom|date=2 March 2021|title=BBC Three Returning As Broadcast Channel In January 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/bbc-three-returning-broadcast-channel-january-2022-1234704644/|access-date=2 March 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302141137/https://deadline.com/2021/03/bbc-three-returning-broadcast-channel-january-2022-1234704644/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 16 September 2021, the UK media regulator Ofcom announced provisional approval for allowing BBC Three to return as a broadcast channel in 2022. As a public service channel it has the right to appear in the top 24 channels on EPGs. Sky complained that this would cause other channels to be bumped down the list to a less prominent position.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1438446336609771528 |user=Ofcom |author=Ofcom |title=We've provisionally agreed for BBC Three to relaunch as a broadcast channel. As the UK's communications regulato… |date=16 September 2021 |bot=TweetCiteBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/sep/16/bbc-three-return-tv-channel-ofcom|title = BBC Three set to return as TV channel after Ofcom gives green light|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 16 September 2021|access-date = 17 September 2021|archive-date = 17 September 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210917125658/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/sep/16/bbc-three-return-tv-channel-ofcom|url-status = live}}</ref> On 25 November 2021, Ofcom announced it had given final approval for BBC Three to relaunch as a broadcast channel with a set period of February 2022, one month later than originally expected.<ref name="returnapproved"/> A final logo of BBC Three as a streaming service was handled over the relaunched linear service; however, instead of pink, it uses a lime green colour.

On 5 January 2022, CBBC returned to its pre-2016 hours<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9r/2022/01/05|title=Schedules, Wednesday 5 January 2022 – CBBC|website=BBC|access-date=10 January 2022|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211003906/https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9r/2022/01/05|url-status=live}}</ref> and BBC Three began test broadcasts on 10 January 2022 ahead of its relaunch on 1 February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl95/2022/01/10|title=Schedules, Monday 10 January 2022 – BBC Three|website=BBC|access-date=10 January 2022|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110190322/https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl95/2022/01/10|url-status=live}}</ref> Following an introduction by [[Bimini Bon-Boulash]], the relaunched channel's first programme was ''The Launch Party,'' a preview special hosted by [[BBC Radio 1]]'s [[Clara Amfo]] and [[Greg James]]. This was followed by news programme [[The Catch Up (BBC)|''The Catch Up'']], an ''Eating With My Ex'' celebrity special, and the premieres of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World]]'', ''Lazy Susan'', and the documentary ''[[Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud]].<ref>{{cite web|date=22 January 2021|title=Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine on the 'fabulous' Traveller women in her family who inspire her drag|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d631f4cb-8f13-472e-a94a-5a0f873187e2|access-date=19 January 2022|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119202422/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/d631f4cb-8f13-472e-a94a-5a0f873187e2|url-status=live}}</ref>''<ref>{{cite web|date=2 February 2022|title='The whole launch show is a pre-record': we watched BBC Three's return to TV – so you didn't have to|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/02/the-whole-launch-show-is-a-pre-record-we-watched-bbc-threes-return-to-tv-so-you-didnt-have-to|access-date=2 February 2022|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=2 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202172504/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/02/the-whole-launch-show-is-a-pre-record-we-watched-bbc-threes-return-to-tv-so-you-didnt-have-to|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 8 September 2022, BBC Three, Four, and one of the [[BBC Red Button]] channels were suspended due to the [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|death]] of [[Elizabeth II]], in order to preserve [[Bandwidth allocation|bandwidth]] for the broadcast of news coverage and tribute programming on BBC One and Two.<ref name="SuspendBroadcast">{{Cite web |last=Newsdesk1 |first=RXTV |date=8 September 2022 |title=UK channels suspend broadcasts following Queen's death > RXTV info |url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/uk-channels-suspend-broadcasts-following-queens-death/ |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=RXTV info |language=en-GB}}</ref>