BBC - Commissioning - Radio 4 / Radio 4 Extra

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Radio 4 / Radio 4 Extra

The remit of Radio 4 is to be a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes.

The station should appeal to listeners seeking intelligent programmes in many genres which inform, educate and entertain.

BBC 7 launched in December 2002. It was renamed BBC Radio 7 in October 2008. It relaunched in April 2011 as BBC Radio 4 Extra. The digital network is the principal outlet for the BBC's archive of speech entertainment, including comedy, drama and readings.

More information on the remits can be found here for BBC Radio 4 and here for BBC Radio 4 Extra. 

Commissioning round updates

RADIO 4 SPRING COMMISSIONING ROUND 2012 - PRE OFFERS CLOSED

In this round we aim to do most of our commissioning for drama and factual slots for 2013-14 (although issues of topicality will apply to some) and half of our commissioning for comedy and entertainment. 

There will be a small round in autumn 2012 to complete commissioning for comedy and entertainment and any remaining factual business.

The commissioning schedule is included below:

Commissioning Team news

I'm delighted to announce that Roger Mahony has been appointed on attachment as Compliance Editor to Radio 4 and 4 extra. 

Roger comes to us from BBC Editorial Policy where he has led the revision of the Editorial Guidelines.  He is well known to programme makers for his expert and enabling advice and is ideally equipped for the compliance role at Radio 4 and 4 extra. 

He will take on Zillah Watson's responsibilities while she is on attachment to A&M Interactive, developing the speech radio archive.  I will confirm Roger's start date in due course. 

In the meantime, Don Christopher is listening to independent productions for Radio 4.  Enquires about editorial standards matters should be addressed to the relevant commissioning editor.

Denis Nowlan
Network Manager BBC Radio 4

Commissioning process

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

Radio 4 Extra launched on Saturday 1st April 2011, replacing Radio 7. You can find out more in Mary Kalemkerian's blog.

If you wish to hear details regarding the Radio 4 or 4 Extra commissioning rounds, you will need to be part of the Audio & Music Independent Supplier Database and indicate that you wish to hear details about Radio 4 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 A&M Commissioning Enquiries who can set you up on the system. All interested suppliers will receive copies of the guidelines for the main commissioning round, held in the spring, and for special tenders.

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  

After Commissioning

Once you have been commissioned and are working on your programme for Radio 4, it might be useful to read the materials in the downloads section of this page about Working with Radio 4 and Writing Programme Descriptions.

More information about the delivery requirements and production information can be found in the Production & Delivery pages and more resources to assist with production can be found on the Resorces pages.

Information about contractual and legal aspects of commissioning can be found on the Radio Business Requirements page along with the complaints procedure for independent producers.

Programme Ideas

Here at BBC Radio 4 we are essentially a commissioning centre, not a production department and we are unable to accept unsolicited programme ideas which have been sent directly to the network. In order to submit an offer to Radio 4, you will need to work with a production department/supplier. Please see the Ideas from the public page for more information.

Book At Bedtime & Book Of The Week

This business is tendered and won by selected producers. The current list of approved suppliers can be found in the downloads section of the page.

Scripts (Including Short Stories)

For unsolicited scripts and short stories, please see the Writing for the BBC pages.

Roles

• Caroline Raphael is Commissioning Editor for Comedy & Entertainment and is responsible for all comedy output, the Book at Bedtime and Short Stories. She will also be taking on the commissioning role at Radio 4 Extra from the end of April, after Mary Kalemkerian's retirement.

• Mohit Bakaya, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual, takes lead responsibility for current affairs, politics, natural history, health, science and religion strands. He commissions the history, social affairs and investigative current affairs documentaries in the evenings on Radio 4. He also commissions the Science, Archive on 4, Wednesday Debate and Four Thought slots.

• Tony Phillips, Commissioning Editor, Arts - taking responsibility for music, arts and poetry documentaries, and arts strands including: Open Book, The Film Programme, Bookclub,  Saturday Review, A Good Read, Word of Mouth, With Great  Pleasure.  Tony is also Commissioning Editor for the World Service where he is responsible for documentaries, The Strand, World Bookclub, The Forum and Heart and Soul.

• Jane Ellison, Commissioning Editor, General Factual, commissions features, documentaries and narrative history scheduled in the day time slots (9 am, 11am and Saturday 10.30). She is responsible for the business strands and rural affairs output. She also commissions Book of the Week and One to One.

• Jeremy Howe is Commissioning Editor for Drama and is responsible for all drama output.

• All commissions are signed off by Controller Radio 4, Gwyneth Williams.

Find more contact details for the Radio 4 team.

Want to find out more about BBC Radio 4?

If you would like to know more about BBC Radio 4 and 4extra programmes, content and schedules, please visit the Radio 4 station websites.