BBC ALBA WINTER COMMISSIONING ROUND 2024/25

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 are 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.

DATES FOR SUBMISSIONS

• This round is primarily for content which could deliver for the 2025
• Deadline for ideas – Monday 6 January 2025, 5pm
• Deadline for MG ALBA/BBC partnership decisions – Friday 24 January 2025, 5pm

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 Programmes with compelling characters and contemporary issue-led stories would be particularly welcome.
• We are also looking for short-form factual and factual entertainment ideas targeting the 16-35 demographic for digital-first publication.
• Although the door is open to music documentaries we are not looking for proposals that are essentially performances with a factual wraparound. However feature-length, high-end music documentaries that deliver at both a theatric and broadcast level are welcome.
• In this round we are not prioritising historical subjects

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

Short-form digital-first ideas are also welcome.  We are seeking innovative approaches to how content is packaged and presented with younger audiences (16-35) in mind, be it as iPlayer-first content, for BBC ALBA YouTube or for the linear channel.  Impact is key. Short-form programmes should be conceived as compelling content in their own right, not schedule-fillers.  A clear articulation of the target audience, content style and other short form grammar will be a prerequisite for a commission.

We are open to proposals for single programmes and short series.  Single programmes will need to demonstrate how they are distinctive with thoughts on strong marketing hooks.

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 will consider ambitious feature-length single documentaries (including music genre) 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
• Please also provide a creative summary including interest from key talent, programme price, timescale for production 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 welcome video tasters – a requirement if new talent is proposed.
• The opportunity to develop your submitted proposal through discussion with commissioners 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