The BBC’s Hot House development scheme is set to return in the next month, with Northern Ireland independent production companies invited to pitch for network commissions, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

This second phase of the initiative, which will launch in December, will provide Northern Ireland indies with the opportunity to pitch for network commissions and BBC NI/ BBC network co-commissions across the genres of daytime, documentary and factual entertainment.

In each genre, commissioners will be looking for ideas for three separate programmes, meaning there will be a total of nine network development packages indies can pitch for.

The Hot House scheme will provide local indies with advice and support from the network and Northern Ireland commissioning teams to help them compete for BBC network factual commissions and BBC NI/ BBC network co-commissions.

In this phase of the Hot House scheme, three network independent production companies will select three indies from Northern Ireland to develop new network facing ideas. These companies will all be selected after a competitive pitching process to develop ideas in a bid to carry them through to full commission. Those selected will receive £25k from the BBC, with the opportunity to apply for match funding from Northern Ireland Screen.

Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, says: “The first round of Hot House was very successful and incredibly competitive, showcasing the strength of independent production talent here in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, despite some fantastic ideas, we were only able to take five indies through to the development stage, so we’re pleased that this time that has broadened to include nine separate genre development packages. I’m looking forward to launching this next phase of Hot House with my network colleagues and seeing what ideas the indies have for us this time around.”

Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted, BBC, says: “I’m delighted that this brilliant initiative is returning for a second time. The first instalment has been a huge success and this second phase opens up even more opportunities to showcase the outstanding talent in Northern Ireland.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Screen, says: “We are very proud to partner with BBC once again on the Hot House initiative. We saw some great projects come through the last round and we’re delighted that this time Hot House will be extended to nine development packages allowing even more companies to showcase our diverse stories to UK wide audiences.”

Hot House first piloted in 2022 when indies across Northern Ireland were invited to pitch for network factual commissions and BBC NI co-commissions. Successful indies were then selected in early 2023, receiving £50,000 to develop their ideas, with an opportunity to apply for match funding from Northern Ireland Screen. Those who did not receive network commissions were guaranteed a BBC Northern Ireland commission for their idea.

Programmes commissioned for BBC network to be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC television in 2025 include the Daytime commission Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour (Below The Radar), the factual commissions Ride On The Edge (DoubleBand Films) and First Communion (Walk On Air Films) and The Art Game (Stellify Media).

Two programmes were then commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland. These were Sheep Dog Showdown (Stellify Media), which was broadcast earlier this year, and Nazis, U-Boats And The Battle For The Atlantic (Alleycats TV) which will be broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland television and BBC iPlayer in early 2025.