BBC ALBA FACTUAL COMMISSIONING ROUND, SUMMER 2026/27

BBC ALBA is committed to creating content for Gaelic audiences that is authentic, meaningful, and relatable. We are ambitious and outward-looking, determined to showcase our language and culture to a wider audience. We’re looking for proposals for impactful factual programmes that can win a wide audience, as well as creative ideas that can achieve critical recognition for the channel.

• We are looking for high-impact factual content with compelling characters and contemporary stories.
• We are keen to see proposals which already have other funders/broadcasters attached.
• In this round we are not prioritizing:
  • general historical subjects
  • factual entertainment
  • music performance
• We intend to publish future commissioning rounds for other genres.

• This round is primarily for content delivering to BBC ALBA in winter 2026/27.
• We are looking for distinctive, eye-catching peak-time content for the 9pm slot on linear but which will also make an impact on iPlayer.

• We will consider single programmes and short series.
• We can take a flexible approach to durations.
• We will consider ambitious feature-length single documentaries that have a cinematic/festival life cycle before appearing on BBC ALBA.  Feature documentaries should have co-funding attached or a credible co-funding finance plan in place.

Priority will be given to ideas that take into consideration further funding such as, but not limited to:

• Creative Scotland’s Broadcast Content Fund https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/screen
• Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification) https://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/british-certification-tax-relief
• BFI UK Global Screen Fund UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) | BFI

We are using a new accompanying form which all producers must complete when submitting ideas. You’ll find the form by following this link: BBC ALBA FACTUAL COMMISSIONING ROUND SUMMER 2026/27 – Fill in form

This is in addition to the editorial pitch document which should also be submitted to bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk

Deadline for ideas: Friday 22nd May 2026 at 5pm

The Commissioning Team will discuss each idea received in detail and shortlist the most compelling and suitable ideas for this round.

Meetings will be scheduled with Producers of shortlisted projects. This will be an opportunity to explore the ideas in greater depth.

We aim to share final commissioning decisions by Friday 26^th June 2026.

Idea submissions, forms and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Claire MacDonald and Jennifer MacKenzie at: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk