The BBC’s Entertainment and Daytime commissioning teams are joining forces to identify, develop, produce and deliver fresh and modern quiz and gameshow formats for BBC One and iPlayer for Saturday early evenings and Daytime afternoons made in either Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The opportunity is open to independent production companies, and independent producers from across the UK, who will need to meet the criteria, and to qualify as a Scottish or Northern Ireland production – meaning even if they’re not based in either nation, they can partner up with a company based there.
The BBC is making a commitment to fund up to two show pilots that “will appeal to the broadest possible audience, have the scale, uniqueness and popularity, grow into key returning brands and potentially sit on both the Daytime and the Entertainment slates.”
Head of Commissioning for Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight comments: “For Saturday nights on BBC One we are looking for fun ideas that will engage a broad audience who enjoy playing along at home with family and friends – and even shouting at the telly. I am really looking forward to seeing the creative briefs that come through as there is a big difference between a quiz and a gameshow format – and the talent pool from across the UK is endless.”
Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning, Rob Unsworth comments: “Quiz and gameshows are at the heart of the BBC Daytime schedule, so this is a fantastic opportunity to develop fresh ideas that could become key returners We’re looking for a series that will be warm and inclusive – keeping quiz and gameshow fans hooked whilst also bringing in regular viewers who don’t necessarily see themselves as ‘quizzers’ or particularly knowledgeable. We have some hugely successful and popular programmes in the current schedule, so we’re looking for something that could feel right at home.”
Bridge of Lies, hosted by Ross Kemp and produced by STV Studios, was ordered by former Head of Daytime and Early Peak commissioning, Carla-Maria Lawson, as part of the previous quiz initiative, the Commissioning Editors are Alex McLeod, and Neil McCallum, based in Scotland, for BBC Daytime.
For the full brief and how to apply, visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/news/new-invitation-to-pitch-quiz-gameshow-development-may-2023
Jon Creamer
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