18 million audience for UNBOXED

Designed to be accessible and inclusive to all, UNBOXED has brought people together at live events throughout the UK, and through digital and broadcast content, achieving an audience of over 18 million.

Last weekend, our live programme drew to a spectacular close and we’re now able to confirm how many people across the four nations have experienced and enjoyed UNBOXED over the last nine months.

• 2.8 million people have come together at live events in 107 locations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – many in towns, cities, rural and coastal areas less well served by major cultural investment.
• 1.7 million children, young people and families have taken part in our learning and participation activities – from lesson plans, class challenges and school trips to tailor-made opportunities for teachers and special roadshows across the UK.
• 13.5 million people have enjoyed UNBOXED programming specifically created for TV and online – a number that’s continuing to grow.

Many of the locations throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are towns, cities and rural areas less well served by major cultural programmes. The programme has explored important new ideas and possibilities for the future, from sustainability to the power of the human mind, to innovative new ways of storytelling.

The 10 UNBOXED commissions have placed creativity everywhere, from classrooms to national parks, the country to the city, the land to the sea, heritage spaces to the digital world. We’ve married science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths (STEAM) in unexpected new combinations and collaborations.

• About Us brought 13.8 billion years of history to life
• Dandelion invited people across Scotland to sow, grow and share food, music and ideas
• Dreamachine explored the astonishing power of the human mind
• GALWAD travelled 30 years into the future to spark conversations about climate change
• Green Space Dark Skies created magical artworks and memorable television in stunning natural landscapes 
• Our Place in Space recreated our solar system in epic style on Earth
• PoliNations celebrated the beauty and diversity of the UK’s people and plant life
• SEE MONSTER gave majestic new life to a decommissioned North Sea offshore platform
• StoryTrails unearthed our towns and cities’ hidden histories
• And Tour de Moon invested in young creative talent

UNBOXED has contributed to the UK’s creative landscape through investment in research and innovation and by supporting more than 6,000 employment and paid development opportunities. The programme has explored new ideas through a unique cross-sector collaborative approach to programming that featured funded research and development during the pandemic, supporting many creative organisations and freelancers through that period.

Creatives from science, technology, engineering and the arts (STEAM) have been supported to design and deliver the programme from neuroscientists, astrophysicists, computer programmers and structural engineers to poets, musicians, artists and set designers to create pioneering projects. Young and emerging creatives have also been given access to training to develop their professional skills and gain valuable experience.

Still more to come…

The UNBOXED story isn’t over yet. You can continue to explore free apps, download free learning resources and watch films and other broadcast and digital content, including:

• A full stream of About Us
• Films for Dandelion, GALWAD and Green Space Dark Skies
• The People’s Piazza documentary, part of StoryTrails
• More UNBOXED content on the BBC, including Countryfile
• Smartphone apps for Our Place in Space, PoliNations and StoryTrails

After a year that has seen our programme reach over 85 countries, our international partnerships will see further projects happening in 2023 as far afield as Vietnam, Sub-Saharan Africa and Malaysia, with more in the pipeline for Australia and the US.