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Religion
Our development priorities are updated for every commissioning round (coming soon). We also include information on the commissioning team and process .
Religion 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
At the BBC, Religion covers religion and ethics in the broadest sense. From the warm heartland appeal of Songs of Praise , through the adventure of Extreme Pilgrim , to the controversy of the thought-provoking Rivers of Blood , all shows should have both depth and substance but be unafraid to view religion with a curious mind and from all angles.
Bring us the ideas that make you nervous, break new ground and help us understand the world we live in. Show us the talent that can give alternative takes on mainstream ideas, drive original formats and make big ideas accessible to a wide range to people.
Religion is part of all our lives and we want to tap into that in the broadest sense.
Full details of our specific Development Priorities for Religion will be available here following their completion by the new Commissioner for Religion, Aaqil Ahmed.
BBC One
Channel Context
BBC Two
BBC Four
Channel Context Knowledge Multiplatform Strategy
Knowledge Multiplatform Strategy
Extreme Pilgrim Extreme Pilgrim Pete Owen Jones' immersive and energetic journey through world faiths brought a broad audience to religion on BBC TWO.
Rivers of Blood Rivers of Blood Part of BBC TWO's successful White Season, Rivers of Blood explored the legacy of Enoch Powell's famous and controversial 1968 speech.
Did Darwin Kill God Did Darwin Kill God? Part of the Darwin Season, this BBC TWO piece featured Conor Cunningham arguing that it's possible to be a Christian and accept the theory of evolution.
Religion on BBC ONE is for everyone. Well known presenters can help to bring in this mass audience and we're looking to develop new talent for ONE as well.
On BBC TWO, Religion programmes should be groundbreaking and encourage debate. We also want to bring more under 45 year olds to the genre while providing something for all our diverse audiences.
On BBC FOUR, authored, ideas-led shows have been very successful, especially when packaged in seasons or themed nights.
Programme ideas can also be submitted to the editors of Religion strand : Songs of Praise .
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, Religion
Aaqil Ahmed Aaqil Ahmed
Commissioning Executive Producer
Adam Barker Adam Barker
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 Religion, Features, Formats and Specialist Factual on BBC Three, History and Business and Current Affairs
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 27 July 2009
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