Radio commissioning framework

SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY (1 of 3)

Commissioning Brief 20173: DOCUMENTARIES AND MUSIC FEATURES

Please note:

• 
  All Short Proposals and Eligibility Questionnaires must be submitted via Proteus before the deadline at 12 noon on 31 August 2017.
  
• 
  During Stage 1 of the process we will first evaluate the responses given in the Eligibility Questionnaire (see Appendix 1, page 20). All answers should be entered into the ‘Add/Edit Notes Here’ section in Proteus. Note the questions in this brief may differ from those used in other Radio 2 commissioning briefs.
  
• 
  The suppliers that pass the eligibility stage will then have their Short Proposal assessed. This should be no longer than 250 words. It should be entered into the ‘short synopsis’ section of the Proteus submission form.
  

• 
  Distinctive documentaries that reflect both the UK and the world, ensuring Radio 2 continues to be a feature-maker of real merit and depth – for example, Randy Newman’s America, explored the United States of America through the eyes and ears of American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist Randy Newman.
  

• 
  Documentaries that celebrate the rich heritage of popular culture – music, entertainment and the arts – that the UK has created, exported and embraced – for example, Born this Way. Actor Andrew Scott presented this two-part documentary that marked the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK, and told the remarkable story of how gay culture came to transform British music.
  

• 
  The smaller, untold stories around a big artist or a turning point in a career or movement such as the four-part series, Bruno Tonioli at the Opera, where the TV Strictly judge and choreographer talked about his great passion for opera.
  

• 
  We are not particularly looking to commission ideas that present ‘The Story Of …’ in chronological fashion unless it is suggested in a different approach resulting in surprising or inspiring moments.
  

We will add distinctiveness to our daytime output by placing interviews from our documentary output into pre-7pm shows. This will provide a greater platform for the documentaries and also provide an opportunity to showcase our evening content to a wider audience.

You will be required to deliver programmes that are in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and be able to adapt to the BBC’s changing editorial and business needs during the period of the commission.

The following people may be involved in evaluating your proposal at various stages:

Lewis Carnie, Network Head

Robert Gallacher, Commissioning Editor

Helen Thomas, Network Editor

Julian Grundy, Commissions & Schedules Manager

Brett Spencer, Multiplatform Editor

Mark Waring, Business Affairs Manager