DOCUMENTARIES
COMMISSIONING BRIEF AUTUMN 2017
LANDMARK FACTUAL DOCS FOR 9PM
BBC Northern Ireland has a reputation for making hard-hitting, important documentaries which can tell our stories to NI and the world. We think our programmes have an important part to play in making sense of an increasingly complex world, particularly in this part of the country. We want to make an impact with what we do: challenging, revealing and explaining.
Crucial to these commissions is a sense of relevance. Why make this now? What can we learn and why will audience understanding change as a result? On and off screen talent remains crucial to us – this is the opportunity for home-grown talent to make its mark.
OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES
For 2018/19 we are looking for a celebratory observational series that find humour and warmth in an unusual or unexpected setting. We want to see characters with great storylines and the Northern Irish at their best. Can you do for Belfast, or beyond Belfast, what The Call Centre did for Swansea? We are looking for a precinct that is broad and inclusive, with big characters that come alive on screen.
FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
BBC Northern Ireland has built some strong audiences for Fact Ent content like The Commute, Keepin'Er Country and our one-off (now a series) Beauty Queen and Single. We want to use these programmes to reach out to the broadest audiences and to appeal with a freshness of tone and approach. We'll have something to say - but in an entertaining way. We are looking for returnable, warm, witty takes on Northern Ireland today. What is the twist you can add to the traditional favourites: food, farming and homes? What is the cheeky take on life and lifestyles? What channel-defining talent do you think will encourage viewers to stay with us?
We want to use our Fact Ent content to experiment on social media and other platforms. We would love to hear good ideas for related content and clips that will catch the eye of digital consumers. These assets can be as important and defining as the linear programme for younger audiences. Beyond clips of the programme - what more can you offer?
We know that our Northern Ireland audiences really want to see themselves reflected well - having fun, being smart, living life. We are open to big one-off ideas that have entertainment at their heart. We will also commission broadcast pilots that have a well-developed format.