BBC - Commissioning Radio - Radio 1 / Radio 1Xtra

What We Want

Radio 1 / Radio 1Xtra

The remit of Radio 1 is to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. It should reflect the lives and interests of 15–29 year olds but also embrace others who share similar tastes.

It should offer a range of new music, support emerging artists – especially those from the UK – and provide a platform for live music. News, documentaries and advice campaigns should cover areas of relevance to young adults.

The remit of 1Xtra is to play the best in contemporary black music with a strong emphasis on live music and supporting new UK artists. The schedule should also offer a bespoke news service, regular discussion programmes and specially commissioned documentaries relevant to the young target audience (15–24 year olds), particularly, although not exclusively, those from ethnic minorities.

More information about the remit and licence can be found here for Radio 1 and here for 1Xtra.

Commissioning round updates

BBC Radio 1 - Specialist Tender 2012

Radio 1 is seeking applications from Independent Production companies to take on the production of a number of strands including The Radio 1 Rock Show, The Radio 1 Punk Show, BBC Radio 1’s Review Show, Matt Edmondson Show, and a Stand Alone New Simulcast Idea.

There are also Specialist and the Nations programmes being offered for tender as part of Radio 1’s Window of Creative Competition (WoCC).

The start date for the new shows will be the week commencing 2nd April 2012.

Closing Date for submissions in Proteus: MIDDAY on Jan 31st 2012

To see the bundles available for tender and more details about what is wanted from each programme, please see the commissioning brief in the downloads section of this page.

For more information, please contact Piers Bradford, Commissioning Editor BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra.

BBC Radio 1 - Chart Show Imaging Package

Radio 1 is looking to commission a new dynamic, bold and brave sonic identity for The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1 for its re-launch in late February.

The new Chart will sound young and exciting. It needs to stand out and not sound like any other Chart Show on the radio.

For the full details of what is required, please see the commissioning brief in the downloads section of the page. Radio 1 would like companies to send them a costing to consider with the demos.

Demos to be sent to Daniel Mumford before 6th Feb 2012 at the address below:

BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra
Yalding House
152-156 Great Portland Street
LONDON
W1W 6AJ

Overview

On Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra, the majority of programmes - the Core Output - are long-running strands which are produced either by in-house producers or by Independent companies chosen through competitive tender when required.

Both stations also commission regular documentaries from in-house producers and Independent Companies. Commissioning rounds for both Core Output and Documentaries tend to be held annually and details of any available commissions and timetables will be detailed below.

Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra also welcome ad hoc proposals from established programme makers at all times.

Additionally, the stations undertake occasional commissions of their Station Sound audio production and details of any production on offer will also be detailed below.

For more information on the stations' relationship with Independent Companies, the commissioning process in general, or the best way to put forward an ad-hoc proposal, please get in touch with Commissioning Editor, Piers Bradford.

For more information on specific areas - Core Output, Documentaries or Station Sound - see below.

Core Output Commissions

Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra offer various programme strands for production by Independent Production companies. Strands on offer, as well as guide prices and full details, will be outlined in a commissioning brief document which will be made available here when a current round is announced.

If you wish to hear details regarding the Radio 1 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 1 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. All interested suppliers will receive copies of the guidelines for commissioning rounds, and for special tenders.

Proposals are made via Proteus followed by a shortlisting period where producers may be asked to discuss their idea further. Once the shortlisting period is complete and offers have been discussed, proposals will either be conditionally commissioned or rejected. Budgets for independent companies who receive conditional commissions are then negotiated with the Independents Production Team.

There are presently no core output opportunities. The next core output round is likely to be announced in September 2011. Full details of the next round will be published here.

Documentary Commissions

Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra commission regular documentaries from a range of independent producers through an annual commissioning round.

When a documentary round opens full details of what kind of programming is on offer, as well as guide prices and full details, will be outlined in a commissioning brief document which will be made available here available here when a current round is announced.

Please see the downloads section for some Frequently Asked Questions for independent producers that supply Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories.

Budgets for independent companies who receive conditional commissions are then negotiated with the Independents Production Team.

Station Sound Opportunities

Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra commission occasional Station Sound packages from a range of independent producers through an open competitive tender.

When a commissioning opportunity arises full details of what kind of Imaging is required, as well as full details of how to submit material, will be outlined in a tender document which will be made available here when an opportunity is announced.

Station Sound opportunities usually arise around Ident music and imaging which are commissioned on a one-off commission fee basis where the composer will retain their composer rights and the BBC will take its full available share of publishing rights. Full details of the rights required for each opportunity will be laid out in the relevant tender document.

For more information about submitting Station Sound materials, please contact Daniel Mumford, Station Sound Manager.

BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra Commissioning Roles

You can find contact details in the Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra contacts.

Ben Cooper, Controller Radio 1 and 1Xtra, is responsible for commissioning the core output on both stations.
Piers Bradford Commissioning Editor Radio 1 and 1Xtra is responsible for the commissioning process for all areas on both stations.
Daniel Muford, Station Sound Manager, is responsible for commissioning Station Sound on both stations.

The commissioning strategies for all areas on both stations are signed off by Ben Cooper, Controller Radio 1 & 1Xtra.

Additional Information

Full information useful to prospective programme-makers (including information on underlying Core Output & Documentary Rights, Health & Safety requirements and the BBC's complaints procedure) are set out on the Business Affairs page of this website and it is advisable to look this over before submitting a proposal for any Core Output or Documentary rounds.

Want to find out more about BBC Radio 1/1Xtra?

If you would like to know more about BBC Radio 1/1Xtra programmes, content and schedules, please visit the Radio 1/1Xtra station websites.

BBC - Commissioning - Radio 1 / Radio 1Xtra