BBC Studios wins first tender to produce A Question of Sport

BBC Studios is to continue to produce A Question of Sport for the next two years, after winning a competitive tender to make the show.

A Question of Sport was one of the first three BBC inhouse shows put out for competitive tender by the corporation.

The BBC removed the in house guarantee last September, paving the way for the creation of a commercially focused BBC Studios.

All BBC shows will be put out to tender by the end of the next Charter period – except in news and news-related current affairs.

The BBC invited pitches from all producers to consider the editorial vision and ambition for the series. The tendering process also tested value for money and the ability to deliver the best quality programme for viewers at the best price.

The BBC said a BBC evaluation team made the decision based on criteria shared with all suppliers who were eligible to tender.

Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment, who led the evaluation team said : “After a hard fought competitive process with great ideas from across the industry, myself and the evaluation team have decided to award the tender to BBC Studios. Their excellent pitch will result in clever creativity, smart updates and new content which will allow this much loved, long running brand to innovate. “

The other titles that have been opened up to competitive tendering so far are Songs of Praise and Holby City.

Suppliers have also been invited to pitch ideas for Horizon – with bundles of commissions based on the strength of their proposals. Decisions will be announced over the next few months.

Further titles will be announced for future tenders during 2017 across the BBC’s Drama, Entertainment, Comedy and Factual slates.

Mark Linsey, Director, BBC Studios, said: “We are delighted to be continuing to produce this much-loved show, which we have been making for nearly 50 years. This win recognises the quality of the talent and creativity in BBC Studios and our ability to renew and nurture long-running series. We are excited about bringing the next series to audiences soon.”