Radio 4 schedules 13,000 programmes across 14 different genres each year and has a special commissioning process.

If you wish to propose ideas to Radio 4 you will need to do so through an in-house department or a registered independent company.

Details of inhouse production departments are here (PDF File, 13 Kb)

Radio 4 has a Register of Independent Production Companies, which we review regularly. We cannot consider ideas from companies not on this register.

If you are an independent company wishing to join the list, please send us a completed application form (Word File, 136 Kb) Only companies with significant production experience at network level can be considered.

Details of independent production companies are here (PDF file, 54 Kb). In this document (PDF file, 86 Kb) the matrix shows which independent production company is eligible to produce programmes for each Radio 4 slot.

PDF files require Acrobat Reader, available free here.

We regret that we cannot accept programme proposals submitted directly to Radio 4.

All registered suppliers receive copies of the guidelines for each commissioning round, held in spring and autumn. These contain guidance on:

• the commissioning process and timetable
• who is eligible to bid for particular slots
• editorial, audience and price requirements
• how to write and submit programme proposals
• what the BBC expects the proposed price to reflect

Information about contractual and legal aspects of commissioning can be found on the A&M Business Affairs website along with the complaints procedure for independent producers.

Roles

• Caroline Raphael is Commissioning Editor for Comedy & Entertainment and is responsible for comedy, Book at Bedtime, Afternoon Readings and poetry commissions.
• Mohit Bakaya, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual is responsible for arts, science, religion, sport, politics, business, current affairs documentaries and Archive on 4.
• Jane Ellison, Commissioning Editor, General Factual is responsible for Book of the Week, 9AM series, 15' features, narrative histories, 11AM features and the Saturday 1030AM feature.
• Jeremy Howe is Commissioning Editor for Drama, responsible for all drama output including Friday Play.
• All commissions are signed off by Controller Radio 4, Mark Damazer

PDF file require Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free here.

Page last updated 9 September 2009