BBC - Commissioning - Ideas from the Public

Pitching Ideas

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• Ideas from the Public

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Ideas from the Public

This page explains the options for ideas from members of the public. Are you are in the right place? If you have a question about another area of BBC programming your first stop should be the About The BBC website.

Ideas, comments or suggestions on existing BBC programmes

Ideas, comments or suggestions on existing BBC programmes are always welcome. You can air your views on one of the BBC Message Boards or by contacting Points of View, or you can use our Points of View webform to send us your comments.If you can’t find what you’re looking for please try Help & Feedback or how to contact the BBC pages.

Do you have an idea for a new programme?

When it comes to ideas from members of the public (i.e. unsolicited ideas), you need to work with an independent production company or a BBC Production department to get ideas to the screen.

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

The development process can be a lengthy process and usually involves several months and often years of work to develop a concept into a programme that can be broadcast.

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).

There are a number of different sources you can use to contact the relevant independent production company: a simple web search will often find an independent's own website.

Many of these independent companies are members of PACT, an industry body representing the independent sector. PACT publish a directory of their members on the PACT website.

The majority of independent production companies do not accept ideas from members of the public so please contact them first before sending them your ideas.

Broadcast is a weekly magazine for the TV and radio industry, which provides news on commissioning, production, facilities and technology, and is a useful point of reference.

The Broadcast Production Guide is produced in association with Broadcast and Screen International, and can provide information to help you find production companies, amongst other useful film and TV contacts.

Note: the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Contacting a BBC Production Department

The Writers Room (for Drama and, Narrative Comedy scripts) and Entertainment are the only departments which accept ideas from members of the public.  All other BBC Production and Commissioning departments including CBBC, CBeebies and Factual* do not accept ideas from members of the public.

*Factual programmes are programmes that are fact-based e.g.  documentaries, biographical or travelogue type programmes.

Drama and Narrative Comedy

Development Manager,  BBC Writersroom
Brock House
3rd Floor
19 Langham Street
London
W1A 1AA
Email: writersroom@bbc.co.uk

Drama and narrative comedy ideas must be in the form of a fully written script. Find out more in the writers room guidelines.

Entertainment

Format Entertainment

Quiz shows, game shows and talent shows.

BBC Format Entertainment Development Team,
Room 4010,
BBC Television Centre,
Wood Lane,
London,
W12 7RJ

Factual Entertainment

Entertainment programmes with a strong factual element such as Dragons Den, The Apprentice, Masterchef, Top Gear, Junior Doctors, Hairy Bikers.

BBC Factual Entertainment Development Team,
Room 4010,
BBC Television Centre,
Wood Lane,
London,
W12 7RJ

Format and Factual Entertainment ideas must be no more than two pages long (the teams will not read beyond page two). The best ideas sent to these departments are usually on one page! You can find the guidelines for idea submissons in the downloads section of this page.