Medium & Format Guidelines

Whatever medium and format you are writing for, make sure you send in the right kind of script.

Film

Single films are a complete, self-contained story, usually between 75-120 minutes. You should send a full single script.

Read produced scripts here.

See more about BBC Films here.

Tv Drama

The BBC broadcasts series, serials and single dramas for TV.

A returning series creates continuing characters and uses them to tell self-contained stories each week (sometimes over two parts/nights such as Silent Witness). You should send the first full pilot episode and a brief outline (1-3 pages) of future episode stories/ideas.

A serial is a single narrative told over a finite number of episodes which concludes in the final instalment. Occasionally a serial may return, for example with new characters (such as Criminal Justice). You should send the first full serial episode and a brief outline (1-3 pages) of the remaining serial narrative.

A single is the same as a film - a single, self-contained story, usually between 60-90 minutes. You should send the full single script.

Read TV Drama scripts here.

Watch TV Drama here.

Radio Drama

Radio drama is comprised primarily of single dramas, alongside some series

Radio drama slots almost always sit within a rigid wider schedule of programming and each slot has a different length/form, so you must decide which slot your script is intended for. You should send a full single play - or if it is for the Woman's Hour series slot, you should send the first two 15 minutes episodes and an outline of the further 3 episodes.

Find out more about writing for Radio 4 here.

Read the Radio 4/4 extra commissioning brief here.

Read Radio Drama scripts here.

Listen to Radio Drama here.

TV Comedy Series

Traditional sitcoms are comprised of a series of self-contained stories each episode/week, with a cast of primarily continuing characters in a set-up that remains unchanged. Sitcoms are frequently recorded before a live studio audience - from Steptoe and Son to Fawlty Towers to My Family. You should send one full episode and a brief outline (1-3 pages) of further episode stories/ideas.

Comedy series differ from traditional sitcoms in that they have a greater element of serial storyline arcing over each series, and can tend to be recorded on location rather than in front of a live studio audience - from The Office to Gavin and Stacey. You should send the first full pilot episode and a brief outline (1-3 pages) of the remaining series narrative.

Sitcom and comedy series episodes are always 30 minutes. Do NOT send scripts, ideas or material for sketch shows - we only accept narrative comedy sitcoms and series. You should specify whether or not your script is intended for live studio recording.

Read comedy scripts here.

Visit the BBC Comedy website

Radio Sitcom

Radio sitcoms can be recorded with or without an audience. Radio sitcoms tend to sit within a rigid wider schedule of programmes and you need to think about which slot your script is intended for.

Find out more about writing for Radio 4.

Read the Radio 4/4 extra commissioning brief here.

Listen to radio sitcoms here.

Read radio comedy scripts here.