BBC ALBA Spring Commissioning Round 2024

BBC ALBA is a contemporary, forward-looking channel with Gaelic at its heart. Our outlook is broad, and our ambitions are big. We want to move, excite and inspire audiences across Scotland and beyond with strong human stories and unique perspectives. Authenticity, relatability and a willingness to take risks are key. Surprise us. Make us sit up and take notice.

This call-out is focused on factual content. We are seeking proposals for bold and brave programmes that can win a wide audience – as well as ideas that can achieve critical recognition for the channel. The quality of the core idea and its creative realisation is fundamental to us. Although co-funding isn’t essential, we welcome proposals which have other partners attached, or which have the potential to do so.

• This round is primarily for content which could deliver for the 2024 schedule, including, potentially, for the Festive period.
• Deadline for ideas – Monday 8 January 2024, 1pm
• Deadline for MG ALBA/BBC partnership decisions – Wednesday 31st January 2024, 5pm

We apologise but we will not communicate the outcome of our commissioning round until Wednesday 31^st January. 

Final submissions and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Jennifer MacKenzie: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk

Genres

We are looking for high-impact factual and factual entertainment content.  Programmes with compelling characters and contemporary issue-led stories would be particularly welcome.
In this round we are not prioritising historical subjects – unless there’s a real urgency, an innovative approach, or a realistic prospect of co-financing.
Although the door is open to music documentaries we are not looking for proposals that are essentially performances with a factual wraparound.

Schedule Priorities

We’re looking for distinctive, eye-catching primetime content for the linear schedule which will also make an impact on iPlayer.

Formats and Durations

We are open to proposals for single programmes and short series.

We will take a flexible approach to durations. The key thing is that the format fits the core proposition and isn’t overstretched to an arbitrary length.

We are also seeking innovative approaches to how content is packaged and presented with younger audiences (16-35) in mind, be it as iPlayer-first content or for the linear channel.  Impact is key. Short-form programmes should be conceived as brand-builders not schedule-fillers.

At the other end of the scale, we will consider ambitious feature-length single documentaries that have a cinematic/festival life cycle before appearing on linear TV.  It is expected that feature documentaries will either already have co-funding attached or will have a credible co-funding finance plan in place.

• Proposals should not exceed one A4 page per programme and include title (in Gaelic and English), log-line, format details and a mock-up of an iPlayer thumbnail.
• Please also provide a creative summary including interest from key talent, programme price, and thoughts on digital media opportunities.
• Show that you have thought about how the programme can be promoted through the press, social-media or other broadcast outlets.
• We’re happy to receive video tasters but they are not essential. The opportunity to develop your submitted proposal through an interview may be given.
• 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

• This round is primarily for content which could deliver for the 2024 schedule, including, potentially, for the Festive period.
• Deadline for ideas – Monday 8 January 2024, 1pm
• Deadline for MG ALBA/BBC partnership decisions – Wednesday 31st January 2024, 5pm

Final submissions and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Jennifer Mackenzie: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk