BBC SCOTLAND CHANNEL
COMEDY Comedy will play an important role on the BBC Scotland channel and we’re keen to find laughs through a range of programming.
PANEL / STUDIO ENTERTAINMENT
We continue to be keen on satirical review. There’s room for topical panel 10 -15 x 30mins shows but we’re also open to other formats. Are there other comedy/ents £25-£30K p/h ways we can look at satire that isn’t just a panel? In all our shows we need Genre: to be able to laugh at both sides of any debate. Scotland Comedy Channel: BBC Away from satire there’s scope for other non-topical panel shows – along Scotland Channel the lines of QI - and other studio based formats that use comedians but Commissioner: can be batch recorded, such as Room 101. These ideas could also start life Gavin Smith on radio (see below).
COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT
Open to other comedy entertainment formats. Shows that might get us out 30mins and about with comedians - but not just a tour of the country in a vehicle. £70k-£120k p/h Hybrid shows that are funny first, warm and feel good and that use (idea dependent) comedians in other ways e.g. Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience. Genre: Scotland Comedy We’ve recently been discussing prank shows. Comedians interacting with Channel: BBC the unsuspecting Scottish public all over the country. The overarching idea, Scotland Channel the tone and the talent behind it will all be important for an offer in this Commissioner: area but we’re keen to explore hidden camera. Could start life low cost Gavin Smith and digitally.
And comedy archive and talking heads is always a great combination!
BBC Scotland Page 1 of 6 BBC SCOTLAND CHANNEL
SCRIPTED SERIES
We have some of the biggest comedy shows on the network right now in 6 x 30mins Still Game and Two Doors Down. £130-£150K p/h Genre: We also continue to serve Scottish audiences with local output such as Scot Scotland Comedy Squad and Limmy’s Homemade Show. We want to build on that success Channel: BBC with new ideas in scripted comedy. Scotland Channel Commissioner: Channel-first scripted will typically be lower cost than BBC One Opts and Gavin Smith Network co funded offerings. Innovative production models and scripts that can be realised in creative ways are welcomed without compromising the comedy.
STAGED COMEDY
We have received a number of original stand-up formats and have enough 30 or 60mins of those for now, but what other comedy plays, events, stunts etc. are £20-£40K p/h being staged in venues around the country and could be captured for Genre: Scotland broadcast? Comedy Channel: BBC Scotland Channel Commissioner: Gavin Smith
BBC ONE SCOTLAND
SCRIPTED COMEDY
Still Game and Scot Squad play on BBC One Scotland and we’re keen to 30 mins build on that success with new series. Tariff varies according to We’re aiming to bring single specials and scripted series to air in 2019 volume and and are keen to look at scripts now that will work for Opts and potentially finance model with the network. These are high profile slots so projects need to have Genre: been developed (perhaps through radio or digital opportunities noted Scotland Comedy below) or have higher end talent at the heart of the offering. Channel: BBC One Scotland
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Commissioner: Gavin Smith
BBC ONE SCOTLAND or BBC SCOTLAND CHANNEL
DRAMA
Scotland has a strong track record in drama – from River City to Shetland. 60 mins Tariff varies As with Comedy, we are working closely with network colleagues to bring according to new ideas with particular appeal to audiences in Scotland to air. At present, finance model drama commissions for the BBC One Scotland opts or the BBC Scotland Genre: channel are likely to need significant co-funding. Scotland Drama Channel: We’re looking for entrepreneurial producers who can work with us to BBC One Scotland piece the funding together. In an evolving production and financing OR landscape in Scotland there’s great opportunity for drama and we’re BBC Scotland keen to be part of it. Channel Commissioner: Within these parameters, there are a number of areas in which we’re Gavin Smith interested in receiving ideas and treatments.
FACTUAL BASED DRAMA
From biopics to powerful true stories that resonate with our audiences, many of the offerings here have been fairly safe, linear retellings of events. It needs to be sitting forward in your seat stuff, exciting character and dynamic storytelling…. rather than just wash over you. Untold, surprising, shocking… are all good words for these factual based stories and think about innovative ways to convey the story.
CONTEMPORARY DRAMA
Mainly looking for series here. Distinct concept and bold execution for audiences to be intrigued to come to the channel to watch our show rather than powering up Netflix. Looking for contemporary and relevant now…
BBC Scotland Page 3 of 6 BBC ONE SCOTLAND or BBC SCOTLAND CHANNEL rather than something that is set now but feels like it could have been made 5/ 10 years ago. Anything procedural or that feels safe, gentle and formulaic is likely to be a pass.
SOCIAL HISTORY DRAMA
The stories that pack out Scottish theatres. Where’s The Steamie or Slab Boys for those who came of age in the 80s and 90s? Doesn’t necessarily have to be a single, it could be a reflective series from recent history.
STAGED DRAMA
We’re open to the recording of exceptional contemporary drama pieces, events or strands in theatres and festivals that deserve an outing on air.
BBC Scotland Page 4 of 6 RADIO SCOTLAND
COMEDY
We are keen to expand on our successful comedy output on BBC Radio Scotland. Radio formats are an important treat for our listeners and can also be part of our pipeline for ideas that could transfer to our TV services.
When submitting ideas for BBC Radio Scotland in BBC Pitch please use the ’Channel TBA option’
SCRIPTED 4 x 30 mins Tariff £10k-£11k Very open to scripts- both sitcoms and sketch. Don’t want to be too per ep prescriptive on this. Just bring funny stuff! We plan to back new and Genre: Scotland established talent and use the platforms to introduce audiences to great Comedy comedy pieces that could grow to be long running series. Channel: TBA Commissioner: Gavin Smith
PANEL 10 x 30 mins Tariff £5k-£10k Topical and non-topical… what innovative panel formats can we bring to per ep audiences in Scotland? Genre: Scotland Comedy Channel: TBA Commissioner: Gavin Smith
DIGITAL FIRST - COMEDY
COMEDY
Working with Louise Thornton, our Digital Social and Youth commissioner we’re keen to use digital platforms to develop projects and talent that can grow to longer form series.
When pitching Digital First material please select ‘Channel TBA’ on the dropdown menu in BBC Pitch
BBC Scotland Page 5 of 6 DIGITAL FIRST - COMEDY
SHORTS 3 x 5 mins Tariff £1500 per This slot probably lends itself best to writer performers but there could be minute a fantastic piece of script that performing talent could attach to. This is the Genre: Scotland next step after Short Stuff and The Social where talent move from quick Comedy hits to longer pieces that will involve a bit of narrative storytelling. It’s a Channel: TBA test bed for great character comedy in the form of mini sitcom eps. Can we Commissioner: find our next Gary Tank Commander? Gavin Smith
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