BVE - What Factual Commissioners Are Looking For

This time two weeks ago the Excel Exhibition centre was host to a slightly bare looking BVE. It was my 5th year at the show however and although there seemed to be less exhibitors, there were still plenty of seminars to spark my interest. The seminar that drew me to the Expo in the first place was 'What Factual Commissioners Are Looking For'. Having just submitted my own documentary to Sheffield Doc/Fest and having previously gained an insight into what C4 and the BBC are looking for, whilst working at TwoFour - it was nice to get the opportunity to hear from ITV, Sky and C5.

I do find BVE giving the UK's leading indie a bit of an advantage however, as Managing Director of TwoFour, Mel leach acted as host - a chance to sweeten up the commissioners methinks! However, it was just as much an advantage to those who visited the Producer's Theatre to hear from them all.

The findings were as follows:

Celia Taylor - Head of Factual for BSkyB

Celia broke down Sky's various channels for us and gave us an insight into the differing tones and subjects they tend to run with on each. For example, she elaborated that Sky1 is a family orientated channel currently pushing the 8pm slot for factual commissions. So, they would be looking for formats that play with the mainstream trends, reap warmth and show heart to bring all members of the family together in front of the TV before bed.
For Sky Living they were looking for fact/ent formats that couples can enjoy together as they wind down for the evening. They wanted something that could be stimulating and exciting whilst not asking the viewers to do any brain work. Celia gave us the example of 'Nothing to Declare' as a focus point to begin brainstorming.
For Sky Atlantic they were only looking to acquire documentaries that were up for feature cinema release. They only commission 12 of these a year and look for ideas that have great talent lined-up within the programme as well as a highly experienced/reputable team. Taylor gave us the example of 'Act of Killing' as a fantastic example of the kind of innovative storytelling Sky currently seek.

Across all channels her advice was simple, they look for a format or programme idea with an angle, not just an idea. So, it's not just a show about hairdressing, it's a show about the wacky world of hairdressing for dogs entering Crufts etc. told through the experiences of an old hat in the competition world with dog Tilly. She added that talent-led formats are always a plus but they do always take an idea over talent. If the idea is character based (i.e. John and his mates on the building site) they would need to see a taster tape before taking on any commission and finally, she added that multi-platform ideas are something they really want to make more of. Celia added that they fall far too often into the 'add-on' category, by adding a hashtag to programmes etc. rather than making the initial idea multi-platform in itself. If you find yourself with an idea that incorporates all of the above - well you'd certainly be onto a winner there!

If that's you, then here's the email to plug it to the professionals - celia.taylor@bskyb.com
And keep up to date with what they are looking for here: http://corporate.sky.com/about_sky/commissioning_ideas_submission/factual_commissioning

Simon Raikes - Commissioning Editor for Factual at Channel 5

Simon began by exploring Channel 5's most popular areas for commissioning factual programming. The main two being History (such as 'Inside Broadmoor') and Health (Brain Hospital). Although their audiences are largely male they are looking for ideas that appeal to all audiences as long as the subject matter is of a tabloid nature. They want 'On the Pulse', tabloid audience formats and narrative driven specialist factual programmes.

Simon also furthered that the way they go about dealing with tabloid affairs is by attacking social issues. For example, with 'Benefit Street', the idea came from tabloid debates on benefits, identifying the divide in public opinion and then writing the idea around it. So, in the words of Simon himself C5 want gritty, ranty, current affairs presented in a very tabloid way. He does warn against open ended investigative docs though, as they prove time-consuming and expensive with no real security of a good story by the end. Of course he added, that talent is not necessarily something that they look for singularly, but of course god talent is an advantage but they must fit with the subject. For example, they don't want Andy McNab doing pieces to camera in a show about flower arranging for funerals.

Finally, just as Celia said, Simon reminds us that dual screen and multi-platform ideas are something that they really want to see more of at Channel 5. They encourage ventures with multi-platform and perhaps surprisingly, not necessarily just for monetary gain. Simon furthered that they wish to truly make something of the multi-plat space. They want it to support and add value to their programming and embrace the idea of developing a format that can truly act as a directional focus for future programming.

Have the next big idea? Then GO GO GO!

Keep up to date with what Channel5 are looking for here: http://about.channel5.com/programme-production/commissioning/commissioning-teams/factual


Katy Thorogood - Commissioning Editor for Factual at ITV

Katy began by telling us the different things that ITV are looking for. This began with expressing a need for pre-watershed 30min programmes and post-watershed 60min slot docs. She reminded us that factual at ITV sits among a huge amount of drama and entertainment in the broadcast schedule and therefore the ideas we pitch really need to appeal to all the family and have heart and drama at the core. For example, the kind of thing they want to look for post-watershed is along similar lines to 'Long Lost Family'. It appeals to the family, it has heart at the centre and sits well among the schedule of drama and ent on the channel. Pre-watershed, the aim steered to find another hit like 'Paul O'Grady's Love of Dogs' - an easy watch that's suitable for all and tugs at the heartstrings of dog lovers watching.

She did however, express that the arrival of BBC4's Richard Klein had left them open to other new ideas. Although she warned that although gritty ideas may swing their way, they look for humanity rather than grit. For example, prisons work well but with the angle of inmates bettering themselves by building confidence and learning skills that will be transferrable on their release, over a story about horrific murders on death row. They are open to those inaccessible worlds that seem very different but Katy stressed that it needs to be light-hearted and needs to be presented in a very mainstream way. For example, a cooking show can't just be aimed at cooks and chefs, but at the majority of ITV-watching society. Investigative factual programmes for current affairs also, are encouraged but with reputable directors and teams that they can be sure will absolutely carry the piece through.

Perhaps most importantly for ITV over the others on the panel, was the need for talent led ideas. Talent is so important for ITV pulling in the big numbers in terms of viewing figures and the security that comes with a big talent, is something that they love. As Celia and Simon maintained, multi-platform ideas are welcomes over at ITV but what different - is that it is only really encouraged in entertainment. Multi-platform ideas for factual programming are only really given the go ahead if there is guaranteed commercial or monetary gain.

As a ground-mark Katy shared that ITV's Corrie slot around 8pm, is given a commission value of around £35,000 compared to the increased value of the 9pm slot at approx £100 - 200,000. There is lots of money to be made in television, given that the right idea is pitched! So get your thinking hats on - and remember that it makes money because they spend money. So make sure you spend money on the right idea!



So that's it! BVE's secret's have been spilled and our commissioners have said their piece. Now it's time for you to say yours! Get those ideas flowing and I hope to see some of them hitting our screens in the coming years! Good luck!