BBC ALBA – Winter 2023/Spring & Summer 2024 Schedule Commissioning Round

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 passion for story-telling are key to achieving this.

This call-out is focused on factual content. We are seeking compelling programmes that will cut through and make a popular and critical mark. The quality of the idea and its 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 Festive 2023 and Spring/ Summer 2024 schedule
• Deadline for ideas – Monday 5th June 2023, 1pm
• Deadline for MG ALBA/BBC partnership decisions – Monday 26th June 2023, 5pm

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

Genres

We are looking for high-impact factual and factual entertainment content.

In this round we are not looking for music proposals.

We are also not prioritising historical subjects – unless there’s a compelling urgency, an innovative approach, or a realistic prospect of co-financing.

Schedule Priorities

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

We would also like to see original proposals for the festive schedule. Heart, warmth and wit are crucial for this special time of year. Think about emotive content that can bring audiences together. But avoid duplicating formats from previous years.

Formats And Durations

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

We will take a flexible approach to durations. However, programmes of 60, 30 and up to 10 minutes are preferred.

We are also seeking innovative approaches to how content is packaged and presented for iPlayer. As on 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.  However, it’s expected that feature documentaries will either already have co-funding attached or will have a credible co-funding finance plan in place.

• Include a creative summary, details of key talent in front of and behind the camera, programme price, and thoughts on digital media opportunities. Proposals should not exceed one A4 page per programme.
• 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 

Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification)

• This round is primarily for content which could deliver for the Festive 2023 and Spring/ Summer 2024
• Deadline for ideas – Monday 5th June 2023, 1pm.
• Deadline for MG ALBA/BBC partnership decisions – Monday 26th June 2023, 5pm

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