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Features, Formats and Specialist Factual on BBC Three
Our development priorities are updated for every commissioning round (last updated July 2009). We also include information on the commissioning team and process .
Factual Features and Formats now commissions all video content on all platforms including bbc.co.uk, mobiles and interactive 'red button' services as well as for television.
Contact Details for Independents
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 THREE's factual output is unique - provocative and funny, entertaining and challenging. We look always for the stark and original, to engage a demanding audience whose attention is difficult to keep.
We're extremely proud of being the only digital channel that experiments with new forms and subjects, and often of bringing traditionally specialist factual subjects to a new audience. This year we've covered medical science, anthropology, food ethics and even natural history in a way that engages a broad young audience with the right tone and casting.
Full details of our specific Development Priorities are available here .
BBC Three
Full Details of Our Requirements Channel Context
Full Details of Our Requirements
Channel Context
Full Details of Our Requirements Channel Context Knowledge Multiplatform Strategy
Knowledge Multiplatform Strategy
Bizarre ER Bizarre ER is a great example of how, with the right tone and pace, specialist factual can deliver big, fresh hits for broad young audiences on THREE.
Snog, Marry, Avoid Snog, Marry, Avoid delivers in buckets in the pre-watershed slot, with original format, multiple characters, high entertainment hit-rate and a great sense of humour.
Blood, Sweat and Takeaways Blood, Sweat and Takeaways shows how important contemporary issues can deliver big audiences with brave formatting and super casting.
Remember, THREE isn't a niche youth channel: we're committed to reaching a broad range of young adults from 16-34.
Factual on THREE continues to blaze a trail of originality and bravery for a broad young audience without ever losing sight of their cheeky, provocative view of the world.
Successful factual on THREE is often driven by compelling real-world questions and always, always deliver high entertainment values.
Please read the full details regarding factual genre tariffs for independents
Your feedback about these development priorities is welcome here
Commissioning Team and Timeline
Commissioning Team
Commissioning Editor, BBC THREE Features, Formats & Specialist Factual
Harry Lansdown Harry Lansdown
Commissioning Executive Producer
TBA TBC
Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producers (Nations)
Sam Anthony
Nick Shearman
James Hayes Sam Anthony (Scotland) Nick Shearman (Wales) James Hayes (Northern Ireland)
Multiplatform
Multiplatform Executive
Max Gadney Max Gadney Features, Formats and Specialist Factual on BBC Three, History and Business, Current Affairs and Religion
Business and Finance team
Head of Operations & Business Affairs Knowledge
Anne Sullivan Anne Sullivan
Commissioning Process
Timeline of Factual Commissioning Process
• All proposals are registered on a confidential database and independent suppliers receive an acknowledgement of their proposal within two weeks of receipt.
• The relevant Commissioning Editor will either reject or progress proposals within six weeks of receipt (four weeks from acknowledgement.)
• Proposals may be provided with funded development, in which case the timetable to commission will be subject to negotiation between the external supplier and the BBC and determined by the development contract.
• The final decision will be no later than 20 weeks of receipt of the proposal. A successful proposal will be given approval by the relevant Commissioning Editor.
• Projects may be held over in exceptional circumstances but only with the formal agreement of the supplier.
• At any point during this maximum 20 week period, an external supplier may write to the Commissioning Editor asking for a progress report and be guaranteed a response within 10 working days of receipt.
Page last updated 7 August 2009
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