BBC Home
Commissioning BBC Homepage » Commissioning BBC Vision Nations & Regions TV Commissioning BBC Scotland BBC Alba (English) BBC Alba (Gaelic) BBC Wales (English) BBC Cymru (Cymraeg) BBC N Ireland English Regions Delivery BBC Scotland/Alba BBC Wales/Cymru Terms of Business Credit Guidelines Branding & Logos Other TV Services Audio & Music Local Radio Future Media Audience Info Contacts Questions
BBC Scotland
Welcome e-Commissioning Member of the public with ideas can get information here Writers Room Link Durations - don't make your programme too long for your slot - check programme and credit durations here Interactive TV ideas are submitted to the normal genre teams
e-Commissioning
Member of the public with ideas can get information here
Writers Room Link
Durations - don't make your programme too long for your slot - check programme and credit durations here
Interactive TV ideas are submitted to the normal genre teams
BBC Scotland complements and enhances the total BBC television proposition available to viewers in Scotland through our portfolio of opt-out programming on BBC ONE Scotland and BBC TWO Scotland. Our programmes range across all genres, embracing the experience of life in Scotland, both contemporary and historical, and reflecting the distinctive social, cultural and political activities of the nation.
Proposals, however good they might be, which do not fulfil these criteria are unsuitable for opt-out commissioning and might be more appropriately pitched to Network TV or to the appropriate head of genre if they are intended to be routed through BBC Scotland.
BBC Scotland will actively engage with all of the communities we serve. We will reflect, on-screen and off-screen, the diverse nature of modern Scotland, enriching our output as a direct result. Proposals should indicate how the programme would achieve this.
BBC Scotland can only opt out from BBC One and BBC Two (not BBC Three, BBC Four, Cbeebies or CBBC). We rarely opt out of Daytime programming, except for live politics, sport or events, and we are not seeking programme ideas for this daypart.
BBC Scotland's new branding takes effect as of 23 April, 2009. New animated logos for opening and closing sequences for all BBC Scotland commissioned programmes have been developed and are available for use below.
Opening Tags
Standard Definition (0.9Mb)
High Definition (2.8Mb)
Endboards
Standard Definition (1.0Mb)
High Definition (3.3Mb)
New on-screen guidelines are also available to download (3.6MB).
BBC Scotland Opt-Out Television operates a rolling commissioning process. Proposals may be submitted at any time.
Programme makers are encouraged to send us a brief initial proposal to ascertain our level of interest in the project before engaging in extensive development work.
We will respond to proposals within six weeks indicating our level of interest in the project. We may ask for a fully worked out proposal at that stage.
Proposals may be submitted electronically or in hard copy to:
Ewan Angus Commissioning Editor, Television BBC Scotland 4.28 40 Pacific Quay Glasgow G51 1DA
Please note that Comedy ideas must be in the form of a fully written script and Entertainment ideas must be in the form of a fully worked up treatment. DVDs of the material in performance are an acceptable substitute. Where an idea depends on the involvement of specific onscreen talent please be realistic about the likelihood of securing that talent.
The Singles With an investment totalling over £1.5 million, BBC Scotland and Scottish Screen continue their creative partnership with the launch of an exciting, returnable brand of 60 minute single films.
The deadline for The Singles has now passed. Any future opportunities for dramas will be posted here.
We are currently only considering Factual proposals for short-term commission if they are time critical. Proposals for further ahead can be submitted in the usual way. Please remember that Factual programmes must still have a compelling narrative if they are to work on television.
Please keep your idea succinct. Supply enough information to convey the idea of the programme to the Commissioner, focusing on what is fresh and new about your idea. Please include, if relevant, any reason why the programme should be made now - such as significant new developments in the field, significant anniversaries, new exhibitions/performances in the pipeline etc. If you have any relevant expertise please include that information too.
Proposals may be submitted in the following genres:
High audience-share series - big, peak-time, talent-led, entertainment and comedy shows for BBC One Scotland. Recent commissions in this area have included Dear Green Place and No Holds Bard .
New Comedy Talent.
Special concerts and appearances, both popular and classical music, as and when they happen. Recent commissions in this area have included T in the Park .
Factual and entertainment-based one-offs and series. Recent commissions in this area have included documentaries on Gordon Smith and Scotland's footballing influence on Japan.
BBC Scotland commissions hard-hitting, award-winning investigative journalism programmes that transmit as one-offs and mini-series.
Ideas for future investigations can be sent to the Editor, marcus.ryder@bbc.co.uk
Significant events and anniversaries, including Burns' Night and St Andrew's Night.
Landmark factual series and singles, including longer-term projects. Examples include Scotland's Clans , History of Scotland and Phil Cunningham's Grace Notes .
Popular factual series and singles, including human interest, celebrity, etc. Examples include The Real Monarch of the Glen and I'm a Santa, Get Me Out of Here .
Sustained-narrative documentary series. Examples include Girls Behind Bars and Desperately Seeking Doctors .
Artworks Scotland We are fully commissioned for both the current run and the 09/10 run. We will make an announcement here when we are looking for further ideas.
Page last updated 7 May, 2009.
Change Text Only Settings
Graphic version of this page