BBC - Commissioning TV

Production and Delivery

Publicity

Publicity material is used by our Press, Publicity and Creative Services teams.

It provides information regarding what the programme is about, who presents it, who wrote it, etc. Examples of material could include a cast list.

This information is needed 6 to 8 weeks in advance of delivery in order to provide the best publicity/promotion for any programme but the earlier information is provided the better - even before pre-production if available.

Typical Network Requirement

Production Notes/Press Kit comprising full cast list, full crew list, short synopsis (2-3 paragraphs), long synopsis (2-3 pages), location/interview production notes, biographies of principal cast and key crew
Press Information
Key publicity contact address list
Beta SP and Promotional Preview DVDs (quantity to be confirmed in Commissioning Specification, typically 70 DVD for episode 1 of a drama and 30 DVD for subsequent episodes)

Additional Requirements for Network Drama

50 master 35mm colour transparencies with corresponding caption list
One bound Post production script
One Translation script

Stills

Photographic stills are used to publicise the programme in the print and digital press media and are also a key promotional tool for the BBC’s various multiplatform services.

This process is managed by BBC Pictures for Network commissioned programmes, and the respective Press Offices for BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland and the BBC English Regions for Regional commissioned programmes.

It is extremely important that you contact the relevant department to agree format, style, content and quality of photography in advance of filming.

The number of Publicity Stills which you need to deliver is set out in the Commissioning Specification.

We need to receive:

A number (as agreed at time of commission) of high quality colour original photographs taken by a professional photographer for each programme in a series. These should be provided as digital images (preferably RAW files, minimum pixel dimensions 40 megabytes).
All the images delivered must be accompanied by a caption document with programme name and episode title/number and specifying with each image the subject matter, presenter or actor(s) and if relevant the character(s) they play. It is also extremely important that the photographer’s and the copyholder’s name are included with each image.

Included in these images will be at least two key generic pictures which best represent the whole series as well as set ups and episodics to enable the series to be shown at its best. (Set ups: means posed portraits of main cast, singles and significant pairs and groups, taken under controlled conditions, art directed, lit and styled. Episodics: means unique images of key scenes or cast in each episode shot in situ.)

The Photography must be of professional standard and should be of sufficiently different and varying content and offered in both landscape and portrait format.

Note that screen grabs taken from the master are of very limited use, (new stories, websites) and are not acceptable for newspaper features or magazines.

Photographic stills are normally required 9 weeks in advance but BBC Pictures and the other press teams should be involved at as early a stage as possible (essential on major series), preferably before filming commences.

Photographs should be fully cleared of copyright and artists' restrictions, including associated moral rights. Where archive or artwork photography is being supplied the images should be cleared for publicity without restriction. All photographs involving children and young people should be accompanied with evidence of written consent from their parent/guardian.

The BBC may also commission its own photography subject to agreement with the programme’s BBC Executive Producer. Copyright will be retained by the BBC.

The Use of Stills Photographs and Images Guidance Note

This guidance note supplements the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines, by offering specific advice for those who will be commissioning, editing and releasing images on behalf of the BBC.

Compliance

All images supplied to the BBC must be factually representative of the editorial content of the programme they have been taken for. The programme’s BBC Executive Producer is responsible for giving email sign-off to confirm factual and editorial accuracy. No images can be released to publicise the programme without this written consent and consultation with BBC Pictures or the relevant Press Office.

Programme Material for Trails

Trailing a programme ensures it gets maximum publicity. If your programme is to be promoted, you will be contacted to obtain trail material.

Example of requirements for material would be:

broadcast quality graded rushes - source of 'clean' sound and uncaptioned pictures
access to artists for filming/recording
a version of the complete programme (often before its sound dub)

Precise delivery requirements are under review - these could be as early as several months prior to transmission. Note that we like to be involved in this process at as early a stage as possible.

Billings and EPG Information

This provides essential information, for example to:

Red Bee Media Playout Planning Unit who use the billings to collate the programme detail to produce the final transmission schedule
Broadcasting Data Services (BDS) for circulation to listings magazines (including Radio Times) with the final transmission schedule
EPG Unit who supply billings to digital TV Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) and the BBC's What's On Website.

What Billings Information do we Need?

In-house programme-makers should complete the form via the P4A system.
Independent producers should complete and submit the form via Mircosoft word template or via the P4A system as instructed.
You will find help on completing the form and our full requirements on P4A or via the example for Independent producers (see downloads).
Wording should be approved with your BBC Commissioning Editor.

When do you submit this information?

The dates by which this information must be received varies for different channels:

NB It is essential that the relevant delivery date is met to ensure that your programme is properly advertised to viewers in printed and electronic programme listings. In cases where the final schedule slot has yet to be confirmed, Production can submit billings forms without the TX time filled in.

Channel	Terminology	Definition
All titles for BBC One BBC Two	Billings Due Date	is normally 22 days before the beginning of the transmission week (though subject to change by BDS, particularly at holiday periods). Details of Billings Due Dates are available at the BDS website. Note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
All titles for: BBC Scotland BBC N.Ireland	Regional Billings Due Date	is normally 17 days before the beginning of the transmission week (though subject to change by BDS, particularly at holiday periods). Details of Billings Due Dates are available at the BDS website. Note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
All channels with monthly listings requirements including all titles for: BBC Three BBC Four CBeebies CBBC Channel	Satellite Billings Date	is the 18th of each month for publication on the 31st of the month for transmission two months later i.e. February 18th for transmission in April

Downloads

Billing form

BBC - Commissioning - Publicity