BBC - Commissioning Radio

What We Want

Radio 5 live

5 live is BBC Radio's home of live news and sport. 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 designed to inform, entertain and involve. We are the interactive station and of our most powerful and original content is driven by our listeners.

5 live is ground breaking and committed to innovation and digital growth. Innovative production, format, and talent ideas will be central to any successful commissioning pitch.
For a flavour of 5 live listen to us on the 909/693 AM, Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/5live/ and read our remit BBC Radio 5 Live Remit.
________________________________________

Commissioning News

5 LIVE – 606 Football Phone –in – Invitation To Tender

BBC Radio 5 live proposes to commission, from either an independent production company or an in house provider, coverage of the 606 football phone-ins for the next two seasons (August 2013 to May 2015).

Proposals should be submitted on PROTEUS by midday on Wednesday May 1st 2013 under the title of “606 2013-16"

Details of the tender can be found on the commissioning website.

Commissioning Information

SUNDAY EVENING
Independent production companies and in house teams will be invited soon to apply for the next commissioning round for a Sunday evening weekly news and current affairs programme.
(This is in the WOCC.)

LIVE SPORT
5 Live and 5 live sports extra will be looking to extend the range of live sport it covers post the Olympic Games. This is likely to include coverage of sports we do not already cover. 5 live’s commissioning editor will be available for discussion re possible opportunities for indies in this area.

If you have any questions about these rounds then please feel free to get in touch.
________________________________________

The 5 live 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. 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 Radio 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 Radio Commissioning Enquiries 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 Fighting Talk and 606 are produced by indies.

Further Information

You can also find a glossary of frequently used terms for the BBC radio commissioning process on the FAQ page.

________________________________________

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

Acting Controller, Jonathan Wall
Tel: 0161 33 56723
Email: Jonathan Wall

Acting Deputy Controller and Commissioning Editor Paul Blakeley
Tel: 0161 33 56717
Email: Paul Blakeley

Assistant Commissioning Editor, Heidi Dawson
Tel: 0161 33 56722
Email: Heidi Dawson

Downloads

Radio Indie Form

BBC - Commissioning - Radio 5 live