Working with Radio 1 & 1Xtra
This document aims to give those interested in working with Radio 1 and 1Xtra a range of helpful information, including:
o Network overview o Our programmes and commissioning process o How we work o Proteus and accessing other broadcast systems o What’s expected for a typical Radio 1 & 1Xtra programme o Pre-recorded shows o Things which may help you make your programme o Key Network Contacts
1) Network overview BBC Radio 1 aims to entertain and engage young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. Our programmes showcase a wide range of new music styles and support emerging artists, in particular those from the UK; with at least 60 hours a week dedicated to specialist music programming. News, documentaries and other speech content focusses on areas of relevance to young adults in the UK today and aims to help them make sense of the world around them. BBC Radio 1Xtra is Radio 1’s digital ‘sister’ station, sharing some programmes and a similar passion for new music. The station has a particular focus on serving BAME communities, offering its young listeners programmes that span R’n’B, hip-hop, dancehall, drum and bass and a range of other urban music genres.
2) Our programmes and commissioning process The majority of Radio 1 and 1Xtra programmes are long-running strands, produced by a range of in- house BBC departments and independent production companies. A number of commissions to produce programmes across the two networks are usually offered each year – typically in June. We also broadcast weekly documentaries under the ‘Radio 1 & 1Xtra’s Stories’ strand and welcome ideas from suppliers, either as part of one of our documentary commissioning rounds (as detailed on the commissioning website); or, occasionally, when pitched on an ad-hoc basis in response to a current event in music or popular culture. If you are an Independent Production Company and interested in entering offers to Radio 1 or 1Xtra commissioning rounds, please sign up to the BBC Radio Independent Production Company Database via the BBC Radio Commissioning website. The main commissioning contacts are Robert Gallacher (Robert.Gallacher@bbc.co.uk) for strands and Louise Kattenhorn ([email protected]) for Radio 1 & 1Xtra Stories.
3) How we work The majority of Radio 1 & 1Xtra’s programmes are live and broadcast from studios on the 8th Floor of New Broadcasting House in London. Studio will be provided free of charge to producers successful in obtaining commissions for long running strands. Some strands – in particular late night specialist shows – can be pre-recorded, but only with the prior approval from the Head of Programmes or their nominated represented. Radio 1 & 1Xtra Stories are usually pre-recorded.
4) Proteus and accessing other broadcast systems If you are successful in obtaining a commission from Radio 1 & 1Xtra – either for a one-off show, or a regular strand - you will need to arrange for all relevant production staff to undergo training on how to use the full version of Proteus. All of Radio 1 & 1Xtra’s programme paperwork is managed through the BBC’s Proteus system and you will be expected to undergo training before your Proteus unique login account details are issued. This will allow you to enter programme descriptions, compliance information, running orders and music reporting. A special training course is run for production staff from independent suppliers - to book please contact Gary Marks. To ensure knowledge of the system is retained and practically applied, it is recommended you attend a course around two-three months before your programme(s) are due for transmission. For those who have already attended the training online video support can be found on the BBC Academy website. The Radio 1 & 1Xtra Operations Team will discuss all other system access requirements with you following award of contracts if you are successful in gaining a commission for a long-term strand.
5) What’s expected for a typical Radio 1 & 1Xtra programme Producers must ensure that their programme is compliant and be fully across all relevant BBC editorial policies; although a senior editorial figure will always be available to help in decision- making and take joint ownership of the final decision to broadcast. As a minimum, we expect production teams to ensure all Radio 1 & 1Xtra programmes have the following ‘deliverables’: a) A programme relevant ‘description’, completed – in Proteus – prior to, or shortly after transmission. This should highlight notable elements within the show and hopefully act as an encouragement to those interested in listening to the show on catch-up. Where possible, show specific images should be provided. b) For all pre-recorded programmes, a fully completed Compliance Form must be completed – in Proteus – sufficiently prior to transmission to allow it to be reviewed and approved by your Editor. c) A Pre-Record Form must be complete and submitted to the Radio 1 & 1Xtra Operations team for all programmes being broadcast via our automated playout system. The team will not schedule a programme unless an accurate, fully completed form is received. d) For all music programmes, a full tracklisting should be made available via the Radio 1/1Xtra website. In most cases this can be generated automatically via the VCS system, which also feeds our ‘Now Playing’ information. e) Within 14 days of TX, a music report must be submitted. This can be done in Proteus or VCS
Show specific deliverables, including expectations around online and social content are set out in the respective commissioning briefs for each programme.
6) Pre-recorded shows Only programmes which have the prior approval of Radio 1’s Head of Programmes, or their nominated deputy can be pre-recorded. Requests should be submitted via your editor. If approval is given: o A compliance form must be completed in Proteus prior to broadcast and approved by a senior editorial figure; and a Pre-Record Form submitted to the Operations Team. o Audio should be delivered in time to allow an appropriate editor to listen and comment on the show, and for any subsequently requested changes to be made, before a final version is submitted to the Operations Team o The deadline for the Operations Team to receive audio intended for scheduling in VCS Autoplayer is 4pm on the day of TX; or 4pm on Friday for programmes on Saturday and Sunday o For all regular strands, unless agreed otherwise in advance, programmes need to be uploaded into the VCS system to enable them to be scheduled.
For programmes in the Radio 1 & 1Xtra Stories Strand we generally ask for audio to be delivered three weeks prior to TX, which can help secure publicity for your programme. It should be delivered as a 48 kHz, 16 BIT Wav file and uploaded to the Radio 1 Stories box.net account. All Radio 1 Stories must begin with a ‘Radio 1 Stories’ ident; and 1Xtra Stories require a ‘Long 1Xtra Stories’ ident, both available from [email protected] Stories for broadcast on Radio 1 must be exactly 1 hour long, with a bed running from 59:20 to allow a back announcement and introduction into the News. Stories due to be broadcast on 1Xtra must be exactly 1 hour long.
7) Things which may help you make your programme
a) The BBC Archive o To browse the BBC archive for free contact BBC I&A (020 8008 2288) to book an appointment at their office in the Garden House, W12; or, for the BBC TV archive, go online here http://bit.ly/1rXEFFG. o The radio archive isn’t available outside of a BBC building; however Information & Archives offer a research service costing £17.60 per 15 minutes. To use it you’ll need to register with BBC I&A. o Please note, if you fail to return any material you WILL BE CHARGED and the fines are HIGH!
b) Studio Bookings o All live shows and regular pre-records are allocated studio space by the Radio 1 & 1Xtra Operations team o To book additional time or check availability, please email [email protected] o All our studios are self-op and don’t require Studio Manager support o Subject to availability, studios can be hired to record material for Radio 1 and 1Xtra documentaries; or any other BBC programmes.
c) Programme Imaging o If you require specific, or generic Radio 1 & 1Xtra imagining, please contact [email protected]
8) Key Network Contacts The following people should be able to help if you have further queries regarding Radio 1 & 1Xtra:
Commissioning & Scheduling Robert Gallacher, Commissioning Editor, R1/1X Strands: [email protected] Louise Kattenhorn, Commissioning Executive: [email protected] Chris Humphrys, Content & Schedules Manager: [email protected]