BBC - Commissioning Radio

What We Want

Radio 5 live

5 live is BBC Radio's home of continuous news and live sports coverage. We bring our audience major news stories and sports events as they happen, and we provide context through wide-ranging analysis and discussion.

5 live is a live, 24/7 conversation with the world - designed to inform, entertain and involve. We have moved beyond simple 'interactivity', to a point where some of our most powerful and original content is driven by our listeners.

5 live itself was an innovation in 1994 - and we value originality and surprise in our output. Innovative production, format, and talent ideas will be central to any successful commissioning pitch.

5 live is committed to digital growth - and 'digital' goes far beyond simple web-pages or the ability to 'listen again'. We value ideas which will get people's attention whether they're using Facebook, YouTube, iTunes, or Sky.

More information about the station remits can be found here about BBC Radio 5 Live and here for BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

Commissioning round updates

There are currently no commissioning rounds open for 5 Live. Please keep checking back here for more information once it is available, or sign up to the A&M Independent Production Company Database to hear communications about rounds and tenders when they open.

Commissioning process

Most of our daily output is produced by BBC News and BBC Sport. Outside that, we commission the following main types of programming:

Long-term strands or series

These are commissions which typically run in 'seasons' throughout the year. Current examples include 606, Fighting Talk and Formula 1. Details of any open commissioning rounds for such programmes will be published here.

Ad-hoc ideas throughout the year

These are relatively rare, and the budget we can dedicate to them is fairly small. But we value innovation and originality, and we have a flexible schedule which can respond quickly - so we are always keen to listen to ideas which fall outside the formal commissioning process detailed above.

In the first instance, if you have a specific idea for a 5 live programme,you should contact the Commissioning Editor, Jonathan Wall. You may then be asked to come and pitch your idea in person. Any resulting commission would be on the Terms of Trade described below.

If you wish to hear details regarding the Radio 5 Live commissioning rounds when they are announced, you will need to be part of the Audio & Music Independent Supplier Database and indicate that you wish to hear details about Radio 5 Live and its strands.

If you are an independent company wishing to join the list, please complete a Pro Forma (see downloads section) and email it to Tim Dye who can set you up on the system.

5 live is proud of its work with the independent production sector. Some of the station's most well known shows including Fighitng Talk and 606 are produced by indies.

Timetable

The process of inviting and selecting tenders for production of 5 Live programmes will generally follow this timetable.

Time	Process
TX minus 14 weeks	Notice of Tender and detailed Commissioning Brief issued. This will explain the process, make it clear who can pitch, provide clear guidance on a) the editorial, audience and price requirements b) how to write and submit proposals c) what the BBC expects the proposed price to reflect in terms of rights and any new media content and/or metadata.
TX minus 12 weeks	Shortlist announced, and pitches invited
TX minus 10 weeks	Decision announced, and feedback offered
Promptly thereafter	Conclusion of a programme production agreement on the Terms of Trade agreed with the independent production sector. Details of these (including information on underlying Rights, Health & Safety requirements and the BBC's complaints procedure) can be found on the Business Affairs website

In some circumstances, we may run a small 'quick-fire' commissioning round, in reaction to an event, story, or late schedule change. This would follow the same structure, but would move at a faster pace, on a 'restricted supplier' basis (limited to independents who already produce for 5 Live). This would only apply for short-run or one-off commissions.

Contacts and Links

Commissioning Editor, Jonathan Wall
Tel: 020 8624 8948
Email: Jonathan Wall

Network Manager, Paul Blakeley
Tel: 020 8624 8945
Email: Paul Blakeley

Want to find out more about BBC Radio 5 live?

If you would like to know more about BBC Radio 5 and 5 live sports extra programmes, content and schedules, please visit the Radio 5 live station websites.

Downloads

Indie Pro Forma

BBC - Commissioning - Radio 5 live