RADIO COMMISSIONING FRAMEWORK Commissioning Brief Commissioning Brief No.: 20233 BBC Radio 2’s Musicals and Soundtracks Show Talent: Elaine Page From November/December 2020 BBC Radio Popular Music Network – CONFIDENTIAL CONTENTS SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY ...................................................................................... 3 1. The Opportunity ........................................................................................................................ 4 2. Editorial Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 5 3. Editorial Objectives .................................................................................................................. 5 4. Music Policy .............................................................................................................................. 5 5. Key Deliverables ....................................................................................................................... 5 6. Success Measures ................................................................................................................... 6 7. Social Media / Digital/ Extra deliverables ............................................................................. 6 8. Risk Management .................................................................................................................... 6 9. Additional Information / Requirements .................................................................................. 6 SECTION B: PROCESS, ASSEMENT, EVALUATION .............................................................. 8 1. THE FIVE STAGES ................................................................................................................. 8 2. Assessment Criteria ............................................................................................................... 10 3. The Evaluation Team ............................................................................................................. 11 SECTION C: THE COMMISSIONING TIMETABLE .................................................................. 12 SECTION D: FULL PROPOSALS ...................................................................................................... 13 1. What We Need From You ..................................................................................................... 13 2. What To Expect From Us ...................................................................................................... 14 3. Important Points To Note ...................................................................................................... 16 APPENDIX 1: EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE ....................................................................... 17 2 of 18 BBC Radio Popular Music Network – CONFIDENTIAL SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY Commissioning Brief : 20233 –Musicals and Soundtracks Show Commissioning Owner Robert Gallacher Commissioning Contact Robert Gallacher [email protected] Commissioning Brief Title Musicals and Soundtracks Show Network Radio 2 Guide Price £1250 - ‘Guide Price’ does not include presenter fees, which will be paid directly by Radio 2. Genre Music Duration One year with two separate options for the BBC to renew for a further year on the same terms after both the first and second years (1+1+1) No. of Episodes 48 per year Transmission Period From November/December 2020 Slot Day Sunday Slot Time 1300 - 1500 Production Location London All proposals must be submitted via Proteus and go through Production eligibility checks first. Please make your short proposal using no more than 250 words. Important Notes: • Short Proposals and your responses to the Production Questionnaire (see Appendix 1, page 15), must be submitted via Proteus before the deadline at noon on Thursday 9th July. • The incumbent does not need to complete either the Production Experience Questionnaire or the Short Proposal. They can go straight to preparing their Full Proposal. • During Stage 1 of the process we will first evaluate the responses given in the Production Questionnaire. We will then assess your Short Proposal. • Shortlisted suppliers will be asked to submit a Full Proposal. This should not exceed two sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11. • These suppliers will also be invited to a Zoom pitch with the Commissioning Team, where they can use a power-point, but we request that they don’t play any video content. 3 of 18 BBC Radio Popular Music Network – CONFIDENTIAL • Producers are not permitted to contact on-air talent, without prior approval of the commissioner. • Any producer found to be in breach of this will be excluded from the commissioning process. • The BBC reserves the right at any time prior to the award of a commission, and without incurring any liability to the affected suppliers, to accept or to reject any proposal, or to annul the commissioning process rejecting all Full Proposals. More information relating to all commissioning briefs and rounds, regardless of Networks can be found on the Pitching Ideas page of the Radio Commissioning Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4fC4NcVXqkZntJv8ZHpClD8/pitching- ideas We strongly advise you to submit your Proposals in good time to avoid the possibility of difficulties caused by unforeseen network or transmission problems. No late submissions will be accepted. BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a distinctive, mixed music and speech network, broadcasting to a broad audience which aims to appeal to all age groups over 35. The network offers entertaining, popular and specialist music programmes alongside speech-based content - including news, current affairs, documentaries, religion, arts and social action. The station boasts an award winning team of top name presenters including Zoe Ball, Steve Wright, Sara Cox, Trevor Nelson, Graham Norton, Jeremy Vine, Ken Bruce, Paul O’Grady, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Craig Charles, Claudia Winkleman and Tony Blackburn. Network Strategy The network is aiming to grow reach and listening hours amongst the 35-54s, whilst retaining its already very broad audience appeal. Radio 2 will deliver great content to listen to, look at, and share, across all platforms, to drive digital take-up across social platforms and BBC Sounds, and will present the broadest mix of popular and specialist music hosted and curated by the nation’s best loved musical experts. We will place distinctive programming at the heart of the schedule, reflecting the diversity of the UK, whilst maintaining our reputation as the home of the biggest entertainment stars. 1. The Opportunity Elaine Page: Sundays 1300 – 1500 Elaine Paige on Sunday is the home of Musical Theatre on Radio 2. The show spans the genre in all its forms - from its very beginnings to the hottest new shows hitting the stage on and off Broadway, as well as those in London’s West End and regional theatres around the UK .The show also features film soundtrack music. 4 of 18 BBC Radio Popular Music Network – CONFIDENTIAL 2. Editorial Strategy This show should play the broadest mix of musical theatre and film soundtrack music anywhere on radio, and contextualise the music so a broad mainstream audience feel welcome, as well as appealing to fans with specialist interest in the genre. Musical theatre is a genre that has strong appeal to 35-54 year olds. The show should capitalise on this, thinking about how it drives audiences to BBC Sounds. This programme is not just about the live listen, and must consider the audience who are listening on demand. The show support the British musical theatre industry, securing exclusive first plays and showcasing new talent as well as established stars. 3. Editorial Objectives • To showcase a broad range of musical theatre and film soundtrack music • To contextualise the music played for a broad mainstream audience as well as fans of the specialist genre • To introduce the audience to the ‘next big thing’ in the world of British musical theatre • To drive the audience to BBC Sounds • To create a repeatable, shareable format for social media • To develop one ‘tent-pole’ moment per year that gives the rest of the network the chance to talk up the show 4. Music Policy The programme production team should deliver a range of music from the vast cannon and eras of musicals and soundtracks. However the focus of the musical choices should be made from the perspective of the musical tastes and trends of the target 35–54 year old Radio 2 audience. Building on the crossover successes of LaLa Land and The Greatest Showman and newer successful theatre productions such as Hamilton, Six, Wicked and The Book Of Mormon the producers should also find ways to connect with the daytime new music policy. 5. Key Deliverables • A repeatable digital format, promoted on social media, that drives audiences to BBC Sounds to listen to the programme • Exclusive spin off content within BBC Sounds • A specific showcase for film soundtracks within the programme • A regular and consistent approach to exclusives on the show • An opportunity for the presenter to share their knowledge and enthusiasm • An opportunity for the audience to share their passion for the genre • Demonstrable support for the British musical theatre industry 5 of 18 BBC Radio Popular Music Network – CONFIDENTIAL 6. Success Measures • To sustain the average AI of the programme above 80. • To increase the BAME appeal to the show • To increase and sustain