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21 November 2009
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Commissioning

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Multiplatform Commissioning

This section includes information on our Multiplatform strategy, including a guide to Multiplatform Commissioning ; a guide to BBC Vision Multiplatform Commissioning Priorities and information on how to pitch Multiplatform ideas to BBC Vision.

Read Simon Nelson's speech from BBC Vision's Multiplatform day here .

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

A guide to commissioning multiplatform content in BBC Vision

• For the first time commissioning across all platforms is now covered by a single process. BBC Vision genre teams will act as a one-stop shop for multimedia commissioning.
• Development priorities for multiplatform will be published on the commissioning website, at the same time as linear priorities and sit with the relevant genre area i.e. a documentary multiplatform priority will sit in the Documentary section. The genre areas are accessed via the navigation bar to the left of the screen.
• All proposals (including stand-alone and web-focussed ideas) must be submitted through e-Commissioning to the relevant genre, further details can be found here .
• Commissioners will be supported in their decisions by two teams of BBC Vision Multiplatform Executives for Fiction & Entertainment and Knowledge, and a Multiplatform Executive for Children's.
  • The Fiction & Entertainment and Knowledge Multiplatform Commissioning teams are overseen by two Heads of Multiplatform Commissioning, with each Multiplatform Commissioning Executive responsible for the following specific areas:

Fiction and Entertainment Multiplatform Commissioning

Knowledge Multiplatform Commissioning

Children's Multiplatform Commissioning

• If an idea is primarily linear, the proposal will be considered by the relevant Commissioning Editor, who will involve the multiplatform exec at the appropriate stage of development to work on the multiplatform elements. If the idea is stand-alone or primarily web-focussed, then the proposal will be considered by the relevant multiplatform exec, who will involve a commissioning editor as appropriate.
• The multiplatform proposition should form part of the initial proposal, to enable all elements of a project to be considered together at the same time.
• Soon all BBC programmes will have an automated webpage including billings information and stills, and for the vast majority of programmes this will be sufficient web support. Multiplatform proposals need to go beyond this basic format. We're looking for ideas where the multiplatform adds real value for the audience.
• If a new media service is commissioned relating to an indie programme, that company will get first refusal on producing the new media aspects. If not, the indie can work with a company from the BBC's approved supplier list, or with the Vision Multiplatform Studio.
• There will be a dedicated Independents Support Unit to facilitate technical compliance and delivery of multiplatform projects from external suppliers. Editorial sign-off still rests with the genres.
• Internal BBC production and technical teams can still sub-contract agencies for specific design and technical projects. The existing New Media online commissioning system will still be used for this process of approving technical suppliers and tendering.
• This process applies across BBC Vision. However, Formal Learning will continue to be a self-commissioning area, with its own delivery unit. Multiplatform proposals for TEENS should be submitted through e-commissioning to the relevant genre and will be considered by Geoffrey Goodwin (please make this clear on your submission).

Multiplatform Commissioning Brief

We are looking for proposals that are:

• Distinctive - make the best of the BBC's strengths
• Innovative - push our creative boundaries & exploit the full potential of new media
• Focused - deliver the multiplatform strategy
• Excellent - inspire audiences, the wider industry and ourselves
• Value for money - reach audience levels that will justify the spend
• Public service - fit with the BBC's public purposes that will justify the spend

Specifically - across Fiction, Knowledge & Entertainment - we're looking to commission:

• Programmes
• Events
• 24/7 Products
• Directories
• Other Specific Opportunities

Full Details of our Requirements

Pitching Multiplatform ideas

Pitching Guidelines

When you're pitching to us, we need you to be able to tell us:

What is the idea?
Ideally expressed succinctly - think elevator pitch.

Who's it for?
Which audiences will use it? Is it aimed at giving new experiences to existing audiences, or bringing in new audiences?

Why will they use it?
What needs, desires, interests, predilections or problems will motivate people to use it?

Why is this something the BBC should do?
Think about our strengths, public purposes, strategy, previous successes/failures and what the wider market is doing (or not doing). What is it trying to achieve?

How will people know it's there?
What will make this idea cut-through? Think about calls to action from TV, PR, marketing, search engine optimisation, links from other sites, viral promotion, etc.

How will people find and share it?
How do we ensure it is findable and accessible? Will web users be able to link to it, embed it, talk about it & promote it to their social networks? Do you intend to make the content available to other sites or services to reach wider audiences?

How will we know what people thought of it?
Consider if we should establish some form of dialogue with the audience. That might be through email, ratings, message boards, or some other mechanism..

What are the key skills & expertise required to deliver?
Does the team pitching the idea already have the skills and expertise required (editorial, technical, design, production)? If not, have you identified potential partners (internal BBC teams, external suppliers, strategic partners)?

Is there technical scoping / proof of concept work required?
And if so, do you have an estimate of how long that will take / how much resource?

How much will it cost?
Consider both initial set-up costs and ongoing costs and maintenance.