The TV commissioning process

BBC in-house and independent producers can find more information on the current commissioning opportunities by looking at the latest commissioning briefs.

In-House suppliers have a guaranteed 60% of non news hours which are made up of continuing strands and programmes which are discussed on a rolling basis.

Independent producers are guaranteed 25% of commissioned non-news hours. They are expected to win a further 10% of the hours each year, and the remaining 5% is open to creative competition between both in-house and independent producers.

When a commissioning brief is issued we will set a timetable within which we will make decisions regarding shortlisting, interviews and commissioning. This timetable will be in accordance with the timetable for commissioning programmes set by Ofcom and contained within the BBC's Code of Practice.

We will publicise commissioning rounds through the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) and Teledwyr Annibynol Cymru (TAC) and this website. We also publicise them internally through the BBC Wales intranet. You can also subscribe to our mailing list to receive commissioning briefs and any other relevant commissioning information.

The independent sector

Commissions from the independent sector are through commissioning rounds and on a rolling basis. Requirements are outlined on this site under What we are looking for. If Independent producers feel their ideas fit in with our requirements they can email in the first instance their ideas through to Phillip Moss on phillip.moss@bbc.co.uk.

Members of the public

When it comes to ideas from individuals outside the BBC who are not part of an Independent production company they can refer to the guidelines on working with an independent production company on the central BBC Commissioning site.

The development and production of a programme is a complex process, needing an in-depth understanding of the television system and involving many people as well as the creator of the original concept. Working with an independent production company provides this support.

Contacting an independent production company
The best way of getting in touch with an independent production company is to do some research upfront about the companies who produce the type of programmes that you have an idea for (a tip is to watch similar programmes on TV and note down the company names at the end of the programme).

Many of these independent companies are members of PACT - an industry body representing the independent sector and also in Wales TAC. They will be able to provide contact information for your chosen companies if necessary.

PACT
The Eye, 1 Procter Street, London, WC1V 6DW, United Kingdom
Tel : (020) 7067 4367
Website : www.pact.co.uk

TAC
Gronant, Penrallt Isaf, Caernarfon,Gwynedd, LL55 1NS
Tel : (01286) 671123
Website : www.teledwyr.com

(Note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites)

For further information see : bbc.co.uk/commissioning/tv/network/public.shtml.