RADIO COMMISSIONING FRAMEWORK Commissioning Brief Commissioning Brief No.: 20217 BBC Radio 2’s Golden Hour Talent: Tony Blackburn From November/December 2020 BBC Radio Popular Music Network - CONFIDENTIAL CONTENTS SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY ...................................................................................... 3 1. The Opportunity ........................................................................................................................ 4 2. Editorial Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 4 3. Editorial Objectives .................................................................................................................. 5 4. Music Policy .............................................................................................................................. 5 5. Key Deliverables ....................................................................................................................... 5 6. Success Measures ................................................................................................................... 5 7. Social Media / Digital / Extra deliverables ............................................................................ 5 8. Risk Management .................................................................................................................... 6 9. Additional Information / Requirements .................................................................................. 6 SECTION B: PROCESS, ASSEMENT, EVALUATION .............................................................. 7 1. The Four Stages ....................................................................................................................... 7 2. Assessment Criteria ................................................................................................................. 8 3. The Evaluation Team ............................................................................................................... 9 SECTION C: THE COMMISSIONING TIMETABLE .................................................................. 10 SECTION D: 500 WORD PROPOSALS ......................................................................................... 11 1. What We Need From You ..................................................................................................... 11 2. What To Expect From Us ...................................................................................................... 12 3. Important Points to Note ....................................................................................................... 14 2 of 14 BBC Radio Popular Music Network - CONFIDENTIAL SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY Commissioning Brief : 20217 – The Golden Hour Commissioning Owner Robert Gallacher Commissioning Contact Robert Gallacher [email protected] Commissioning Brief Title Golden Hour Network Radio 2 Guide Price £750 - ‘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 49 per year Transmission Period From November/December 2020 Slot Day Friday Slot Time 1900 - 2000 Production Location London Important Notes: • All proposals must be submitted via Proteus – however due to the straightforward nature of this one hour show, we only require interested suppliers, (including the incumbent), to submit a medium 500 word proposal by midday on Thursday 27th August. • There will be no Short Proposal/Production Questionaire stage to this tender. • Successful suppliers will invited to an informal meeting with a small group of the Commissioners on Zoom, to discuss their 500 word proposal – not all of those who submit a proposal will be invited to a Commissioning meeting. • Producers are not permitted to contact on-air talent - 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 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: 3 of 14 BBC Radio Popular Music Network - CONFIDENTIAL 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 Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour: Fridays, 1900-2000 The self-proclaimed ‘fastest hour on the radio’ this is a show that celebrates the arrival of the weekend, picking up on the positive, upbeat vibes established by Serious Jockin’ and All Request Friday. 2. Editorial Strategy This show is packed full of huge mainstream hits spanning all eras of music. Speech is bright, companionable and breezy but kept to a minimum: the music does the talking here. This is not the place for ‘digging in the crates’ or showcasing rarities – big tunes are very much the order of the day. Occasionally we may TX a specially themed Golden Hour to tie in with a specific anniversary, or to support a particular network initiative – this would be planned and discussed in advance with the Network. 4 of 14 BBC Radio Popular Music Network - CONFIDENTIAL 3. Editorial Objectives • To keep the celebratory weekend vibe going for the live listener • To provide a broad mix of mainstream music hits from all eras • To support specific anniversaries or particular Network initiatives where appropriate • To drive the audience to BBC Sounds to listen again or explore similar offerings (SOT60s/70s/80s/90s/POTP) 4. Music Policy The Golden Hour should reflect the musical tastes of the show’s curator with a range of well- known chart and turntable hits from across all eras and many of the genres covered by Radio 2. These should be mixed with a few less familiar tracks to highlight the difference in Radio 2’s musical approach from other radio stations. 5. Key Deliverables • A specific talk up of BBC Sounds each week. • A talk up of Sounds of the 60s, pointing to both the linear TX and the on demand opportunity. • A themed show when required to support network initiatives or to mark particular anniversaries. 6. Success Measures • To sustain the average AI of the programme above 85. • To grow the 35-54 appeal of the programme through music selection • To increase and sustain RAJAR to 800k reach • To increase on demand listening to the programme via BBC Sounds • To talk up other similar properties for on demand listening in BBC Sounds (SOT60s/70s/80s/90s/POTP) 7. Social Media / Digital / Extra deliverables • Accurate and compelling episode titles and descriptions ahead of TX, when programme content is confirmed; and updated post-TX where appropriate. • Track-listings updated online as soon as practicable. • As this show aims to be primarily a dynamic live listen there are no additional social or visual deliverables for this tender. Members of production team should undertake editorial data and photography training where required by the BBC. 5 of 14 BBC Radio Popular Music Network - CONFIDENTIAL 8. Risk Management If you are successful and called to talk to the Network about this commission, you should talk through a transition plan and an explanation of how you will manage the transition from the current production of the programme, with minimum disruption. 9. Additional Information / Requirements • The ‘Guide Price’ does not include presenter fees, which will be paid directly by Radio 2. • The contract will be offered as a “fixed price” deal and the BBC will assume that any elements included in proposals can be successfully delivered within the guide price given. • Production teams will be expected to adhere to all relevant editorial and copyright guidelines in place; and deliver all necessary production related paperwork in a timely fashion – e.g. Compliance Forms,