The BBC conducts a wide range of pilots and trials to test new technology and audience reactions. They are an essential step in developing new creative or technical approaches.

Pilots and trials fall into two categories. Category 1 trials include those designed to produce evidence for a Public Value Test submission from management, or which are otherwise deemed to be strategically significant, and which require approval from the BBC Trust in accordance with their published policy.

The BBC Trust protocol for handling pilots and trials can be found on the BBC Trust website.

Other trials - Category 2 - are generally authorised by BBC management in accordance with a published policy. This policy sets out the framework for how Category 2 trials and pilots will be conducted.