BBC TV Commissioning Supply Report 2019 Foreword “BBC Commissioning is at the heart of the UK What we’ve Introduction Production sector – working with the most exciting talent, producers and partners to bring achieved in 2019 brilliant British stories to the screen. I am proud that we have done even more to support Context What we’ve achieved creativity and excellence across the sector this Commissioning bold British content that In 2019 we have strengthened our UK audiences love is what BBC Television creative footprint even further. We have is here to do. We are proud to work with worked with more producers than ever year, and this report sets out what we have world-class production talent across the before, more new producers, more producers whole of the UK – and are committed to based in the Nations and Regions and achieved in 2019.” invest in the next generation to ensure more qualifying independent producers. we continue to do so in the future. We have also increased the scale of Tim Davie Creative success relies on a vibrant our support for new talent and smaller BBC Director-General and diverse production sector – and it companies, particularly outside London is the BBC’s role to support the health and those that have diverse leadership. of the UK supply base at a time of The majority of our programme hours intense global competition. We want are now made by independent producers + producers and talent to continue to and we have increased the levels of see the BBC as a place that nurtures, competition across our content. 350 enables and amplifies their best work. Suppliers This report demonstrates that we have: Our commissioners are amongst the best • strengthened our support for the in the business, adding creative value and bn+ k+ television production sector impact to the stories writers, directors • continued to be open, fair and £1.4 29 and producers want to tell. Together we transparent in the way we work Spend original Hours original can discover and shape the shows that • fulfilled our commitments in the UK TV content UK TV content reflect the richness of all four Nations Commissioning Process Framework and leave audiences wanting more. • exceeded all our regulatory requirements This report focuses on performance in 2019. For more background on how we work please see the BBC Commissioning Supply Report 2018 and the BBC Commissioning website. The first three chapters focus on Network TV*. Section 1: Section 3: % Inspiring Great Delivering our 54 British creativity ambitions and Indie productions commitments 57% Producers outside London Section 2: Section 4: Backing brilliant Nations, Children’s ideas, talent and and Sport companies The Greatest Dancer, BBC One, Thames/Syco Further information * Network TV covers Network Drama, Comedy, Entertainment, Factual, Looking ahead Daytime and News related Current Affairs. Non-network TV, Children’s and Killing Eve, BBC One, Sid Gentle Films – Sport have their own sections. On page 6 Front cover credit: Gentleman Jack, and appendix Golden Globe Best TV Drama and 7 Children’s and Sport are included BBC One, Lookout Point 77 in Network TV as part of our Nations and RTS Best Drama Series New producers Regions support where relevant. BBC TV Commissioning Supply Report 2019 1 Section 1: Inspiring Great British creativity Section 1: Communication Inspiring Great British creativity In 2019 we increased the volume of X briefings, updates and face-to-face to s Inspiring meetings and went to more cities to 22 8 12 1 1 talk to producers where they are based. Briefings Cities Sessions out of London 2018: 18 2018: 6 Bookable face-to-face More than half of our briefing meetings at briefings Great British activity was outside London. 2018: 8 creativity Attracting brilliant ideas is critical to the quality and impact of our programmes. We regularly brief producers across the UK to Clare Sillery, Head of Documentary Commissioning, Patrick Holland, Controller BBC Two, Nasfim Haque, Commissioning Editor BBC Three, update them on our commissioning priorities – Sheffield Doc/Fest Edinburgh Festival Creative Cities Convention, Cardiff and share information and resources to support their development. Our commissioning process is open, fair and transparent – we work with + + more new suppliers than any other UK public 700k 20 8 service broadcaster. Visits to website Video brief updates News updates New measure for 2019 Recorded commissioner briefs 2018: 3+ Case study: on current priorities Scotland Factual Briefing In the BBC/Screen Scotland partnership agreement we committed to develop a stronger Factual format pipeline over time. In April 2019, we added a format masterclass to our regular commissioning briefing in Glasgow. Five network commissioners attended from Documentary, Specialist Factual, 22 Current Affairs and Popular Factual. Briefings The Factual Business Partner also attended to discuss strategic support. Our Audience Insight team presented young Factual audience research. Each commissioner then met with small groups of producers to discuss what makes a good format, using examples of successful formats, those that haven’t worked as well, and sharing taster tapes of successful pitches. Companies had the opportunity to follow up one-to-one to discuss specific ideas. Fleabag, BBC Three, Two Brothers Pictures + Multi-award winner 80 Scottish based Factual + Producers attended Top Gear, BBC One, BBC Studios 700k Seven Worlds, One Planet, BBC One, BBC Studios – BANFF Best Environmental Programme Website visits 2 BBC TV Commissioning Supply Report 2019 BBC TV Commissioning Supply Report 2019 3 Section 1: Inspiring Great British creativity Section 1: Sharing information and resources Case study: Inspiring Great British creativity More independent producers are accessing BBC audience data on their programmes Audience masterclasses through our online portal. They can now also To help inspire ideas that match our see research articles and presentations which audience needs, our commissioners and enable them to strengthen performance of Audience teams regularly share relevant existing shows and gain insights to inspire analysis and insights with producers, as new future ideas. Presentations are also available on research becomes available. BBC Pitch for those bidding for new business. The interactive sessions help focus development teams on new themes or trends – and stimulate ideas in areas we know appeal to our audiences. This year we ran the following masterclasses: + • ‘Factual Young Audiences’ in Scotland and Birmingham Drama Audience Insight presentation: The Capture, BBC One, Heyday Films and EastEnders, BBC One, BBC Studios • ‘Wind-down TV’ in Salford for 130 Indie audience accounts Entertainment and Daytime producers 2018: 100+ • ‘iPlayer Viewing’ at a pan-genre BBC Two briefing in Northern Ireland • ‘Drama Overview’ for scripted producers in London The Ranganation, BBC Two, Zeppotron A single search engine has broadened the range of BBC archive available to contracted producers to support their research. 5Masterclasses 200 Indie archive accounts 2018: 119* 437 4 Producers attended Famalam, BBC Three, BBC Studios New website resources • BBC Three short-form Fair access delivery guidance • BBC Pictures delivery guidance for TV Nearly 200 new companies registered on • Diamond guidance for BBC Pitch in 2019 – bringing fresh ideas productions and perspectives. Where producers didn’t 187 137 • Updated regional production meet our criteria – but have strong talent New companies registered New suppliers invited or 2018: 341 approved by commissioners definitions guidance or ideas – they can still access BBC Pitch 2018: 242 on the invitation of a commissioner. To keep the system up to date we carried out an audit in 2019 to remove companies who hadn’t used their accounts. Glow Up, BBC Three, Wall to Wall Defending the Guilty, BBC Two, Big Talk Productions Note system change: 2018 = companies with Digital Archive Accounts. 2019 = Archive Search accounts. 4 BBC TV Commissioning Supply Report 2019 BBC TV Commissioning Supply Report 2019 5 Section 1: Inspiring Great British creativity Supporting creativity Section 1: Inspiring Great British creativity across the UK Supporting the strength of ideas, talent and companies In 2019 we held 17 briefings in the Nations We have Network commissioning editors in the Nations and Regions is a key BBC priority to meet and Regions and launched a targeted BBC to support the development of ideas and our ambition of increasing production and strengthening Three Invitation to Pitch in Northern companies in each of the Nations and commissioning outside London. Ireland with ring-fenced development funds Regions. 17* of our Network commissioners and a guaranteed commission. are based outside London. Scotland Northern Ireland Commissioner support Commissioner support Drama: Gaynor Holmes Drama: Tommy Bulfin Comedy: Gregor Sharp Comedy: Gregor Sharp Entertainment and Daytime: Factual: Clare Mottershead Jo Street (until August 2019)/ Daytime: Muslim Alim Neil McCallum (from March 2020) Children’s: Julia Bond Factual: Craig Hunter (until May 2019) Daytime: Muslim Alim Children’s: Julia Bond Mountain Vets, BBC Two, 360 Production Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland, BBC Two/BBC Scotland, My Left Nut, BBC Three, Two Rivers Media + Rollem Productions 4 12 20 4 14 8 Writers Michael Patrick The Victim, BBC One, Briefings Commissioners visited Companies supported Briefings Commissioners visited Companies supported and Oisín Kearney STV Productions 2018: 3 2018: 19 2018: 20+