South West Screen in association with PACT. - Meet the BBC Commissioners

South West Screen in association with PACT. - Meet the BBC Commissioners

Discussing BBC1 and BBC2 in Bristol

At a recent 'Meet the Commissioners' event at BBC Bristol, Programme Commissioners discussed which programmes work best for the different time slots o­n BBC1 and BBC2. They also explained how they like to receive programme ideas.

If you missed the event, which was organised by South West Screen in association with PACT, read the notes below.

Held o­n 3rd February 2005 at BBC Bristol

Gilly Hall

Main focus: commission Daytime BBC1 / 2 (although can feed projects cross channel time slot)

Priorities

BBC2 1800 > 1900 weekdays
Slot is stripped Mon > Fri and has been a problem since BBC lost the Simpsons.

This time slot has a transient audience, programmes which work are “radio like”; those which you can dip in and out of – the viewer needs to be able to join at 1815 and still understand what is going o­n.

The demographic for this slot is mixed; age 8+ children and 50+ adults. The programmes need to have an “easy / warm bath” feel and humour is important. There is a strong belief that animal formats work in this slot as they appeal to both children and adults – programme ideas of this type were strongly recommended.

Worked well: Flog It, Strictly Come Dancing Take 2 (“event” viewing), Big Cat Diary (applies the values of a soap to a NH programme), Miss Marple (attracted older audience)

Didn’t work: Geronimo (too complicated and “boys” oriented), European Family Exchange (viewer didn’t care, needed to follow)

Budget guide: £85K per hour maximum

BBC1 mornings
City Hospital has worked well – viewer needs to feel that they are getting something from the programme otherwise they would feel guilty about watching TV at that time – “live” feel is an asset.

BBC1 1230
Quizzes work well; viewers feel that they have learned something. Eggheads did well in this slot, simple but informative, budget £20K per 30 min over long run.

Overview
No antiques, no DIY, no parenting, no property (unless very different take) – something new, different and innovative, definite steer towards animal formats.

Suzanne Gilfinnan

Main focus: commission Comedy & Entertainment across all channels

Priorities

BBC1 Saturday night

Early evening:
Strictly Come Dancing – very successful as it engaged more than the traditional Saturday night audience – inclusive

Forthcoming programmes include “We’ll meet again”, reunions of wartime comrades (sold via a short test tape), and Strictly Dance Fever, Graham Norton’s first project.

What works well is “event” TV which brings people together (i.e. Test the Nation) – need to make people feel that not going out o­n a Saturday night is not a bad thing.

There is a brief out for new Lottery-linked shows, about to close but ideas to John Beasley.

Music shows also work in this slot as long as they are not focused o­n o­ne artist. More traditional, live, studio based, “variety” shows would be considered.

2100 post – Casualty slot:
60 min ideas sought – quality, engaging entertainment – main event TV – budget guide £200K per hour

Weekdays 2235
Nations and Regions money available for this slot – interesting “treat” TV i.e. Jack Dee Live at the Apollo, Jonathan Ross, Hollywood Greats, Somebody’s daughter, Somebody’s son.

BBC2

Weekdays 1900
Stripped event pieces i.e. Hard Spell, Junior Mastermind

Midweek 2000
Factual entertainment, i.e. Dragons Den – successful, innovative mix of business and entertainment – more ideas in similar vein sought i.e. science / entertainment mix

Friday 2200
Comedy slot opposite the news

Saturday night
Needs entertainment show but not list show

BBC3
Progressive multi-genre entertainment. Strong feeling that BBC3 is now successfully defining its personality, desire to build brand.
Comedy is a high priority and entertainment is less likely to work, need to keep the quality high and the mood darker rather than wacky.
Factual entertainment with a distinctive take, charismatic presenter: i.e. Body Hits, Mind, Body & Kick Ass Moves.
Opportunity for o­ne offs with nostalgic feel, i.e. Jonathan Ross punk doc, Live Aid doc, Story of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Blood o­n the turntable – mix of business, in this instance music, and entertainment, featured Sex Pistols, Stone Roses – could the format be expanded?

BBC4
Little money, but enthusiasm to get entertainment o­nto BBC4, i.e. forthcoming Armando Ianucci show.
There is a concern that BBC4 could become too “dry” and therefore a desire to introduce comedy/fun, i.e. QI.

Other suggestions: logic/mind game shows, satire shows (but need to feel fresh), possible chat show. Ideas need to feel innovative and need to give thought to how audience will engage.

How do you like to receive ideas?

Gilly Hall – Very short synopsis (one paragraph) by e-mail. She will give a short yes/no (by phone) as to whether to further develop. Meetings are helpful at the 2nd stage.

Suzanne Gilfinnan – o­ne page synopsis, clearly thought out with no puff – concentrate o­n what will be seen o­n screen. She will follow up with a phone call back.

Personal relationships and trust are the most important factors when commissioning from a company. Also if not known to the commissioner a visible track record of delivery is helpful. Where ideas are strong and personal relationships work commissioners are happy to nurture new companies.
This event was supported as part of a SW Regional Development Agency funded Media Skills Development Programme.