RADIO COMMISSIONING FRAMEWORK

Commissioning Brief

Commissioning Brief No: 103007

BBC Sounds blockbuster podcast drama 2019/20

Commissioning Round – BBC Sounds: Drama 1

2 of 16

CONTENTS

SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY........................................................................... 3 SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS ................................................................. 8

1. TIMETABLE .......................................................................................................... 8

2. THE FIVE STAGES ............................................................................................... 10

3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ..................................................................................... 12

SECTION C: FULL PROPOSALS ...................................................................................... 13

1. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU ............................................................................. 13

2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US ............................................................................. 14

APPENDIX 1: ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE .................................................................. 16

3 of 16

SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY

Commissioning Brief No 103007

Commission contact Jason Phipps, Commissioning Editor for Podcasts, BBC Sounds

Number of programmes available 1 season of a podcast drama of at least six episodes, with a possibility of a recommission. No more than two ideas per supplier.

Transmission period Spring 2020

Guide price - whole series £150k+

Commissioning Year 2019/2020

Commissioning Round BBC Sounds: Drama 1

All proposals must be submitted via Proteus. Please make your short proposal using no more than 250 words.

Important Notes:

All short proposals and Eligibility Questionnaires must be submitted via Proteus before the deadline at noon on 28th June

During Stage 1 of the process we will first evaluate the responses given in the Eligibility Questionnaire (see Appendix 1). All answers should be entered into the ‘Add/Edit Notes Here’ section in Proteus. Note the questions in this brief may differ from those used in other BBC Sounds commissioning briefs.

The suppliers that pass the eligibility stage will then have their Short Proposal assessed. This should be no longer than 250 words. It should be entered into the ‘short synopsis’ section of the Proteus submission form.

Shortlisted suppliers will be asked to submit a Full Proposal assessed. This should be no longer than 5 sides of A4. It should be entered into the ‘full synopsis’ section of the Proteus submission form.

BBC Sounds

BBC Sounds brings together live and on-demand radio, music and podcasts into a single personalised app and website. On-demand audio and podcasts for BBC Sounds will be driven by five commissioners based within existing audio commissioning teams across the BBC, working closely with the BBC Sounds central commissioning team to deliver the editorial vision. All commissioners are focused on innovation in podcasting and on-demand audio; looking to reflect and create new listening habits through digital first audio. Jason Phipps, Commissioning Editor for podcasts on BBC Sounds, has a pan-BBC perspective often working with multiple BBC teams as well as external partners.

4 of 16

Young adult podcast drama, targeted youth factual and distinct crossovers in comedy and factual are Jason’s main focus. Louise Kattenhorn, Commissioner for Radio 1 and 1Xtra, will be concentrating on companion podcasts for BBC TV programmes such as Obsessed With… Line of Duty and Killing Eve, music-focused youth zeitgeist titles and fresh comedy and music titles for a Radio 1 audience. Richard Maddock, Commissioning Editor at Radio 5 Live, will focus on the best sport factual and conversational podcasts, popular dramatic documentaries, and factual investigations. Rhian Roberts, Digital Commissioner for Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra & Radio 3, will focus on the best in mind-expanding comedy, innovative and entertaining factual, globally relevant drama and audio book titles. Finally, John Leagas, from BBC Children’s, will be commissioning ‘coming of age’ podcasts for children/young adults and drama aimed at under 16 year olds. There will be a series of time-bound commissioning briefs for BBC Sounds along with our rolling open round. Podcasts will continue to also be commissioned by other parts of the BBC including BBC World Service as well as Nations and Local Radio which will be available on BBC Sounds. BBC Sounds’ podcast priorities • Innovation: podcasts which play with and exploit the form’s creative

storytelling possibilities. Podcasting allows for genre bending and reinventions of the grammar of radio. We are looking for ideas which raise the bar for originality, whether that’s in the treatment of a subject, an unprecedented collaboration with new partners or across networks – or something else entirely!

• New voices: podcasts which authentically represent the rich diversity of

voices and lived experiences relevant to under 35 audiences, and which meet our audience needs (see below).

• New audiences: podcasts which engage existing podcast listeners who don’t consume BBC output and podcasts which convert new people to the joys of podcasts.

The target audience for podcasts commissioned by BBC Sounds is people in the UK aged 18-34. Be bold, be daring, surprise us. Be led by your insights into this audience - not by what the BBC has commissioned before.

5 of 16

18-34 Audience Needs – as identified by BBC audience research Social Connection • The need to interact with friends and family, to learn about and to build

relationships. Learning & Discovery • The need to enhance your knowledge or skills through learning about the

world and the way that things work. Mood Management • Young people’s most frequent need of media is to change or enhance their

mood. This can involve stimulation (‘I want to feel actively engaged in something’), wind-down (‘I want to relax’), killing time (‘I want to not feel bored’) or background noise or mood setting (‘I want to feel comforted or have a feeling of good company’).

Independence • The need for inspiring and helpful experiences that help them develop their

sense of self, identity and independence.

6 of 16

Editorial Opportunity BBC Sounds wants to commission a high-profile, young adult blockbuster podcast drama which will appeal both to the existing, sophisticated audience for audio fiction podcasts and to new listeners. We are looking for a popular, ambitious fiction podcast built for an 18-30 audience. Podcast examples in this space include Wolverine: The Long Night, Rami Malek’s Blackout, Steal the Stars, Homecoming and The Adventure Zone. Tonally, we are also looking for something which has all the hallmarks of the storytelling trend called “hopepunk”: detailed, diverse characters who are unafraid to be fighting for something, choosing hope even when things are bleak. Recent examples in this area on TV include Netflix’s Sense8 and The Umbrella Academy, Ryan Murphy’s Pose, and in film, Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse and Black Panther. The idea needs to be fearless in its topical ambition and willing to explore subjects and character interactions that feel fun but risky. Genre fiction epics that are fantasy, science fiction or even a combination of the two are actively encouraged. Above all, it needs to have a lot of heart. We are particularly keen for the idea to include strong contemporary musical elements which are clever, confident and popular. We would welcome a musical format or a drama wound around song. The production team would need a strong, experienced showrunner/writer who could work with a collaborative writing team and good relationships with young A-list talent including British names. BBC Sounds is in a position to push audio fiction podcasts forward into a new, bigger, more ambitious stage of their development. We want to work with a team that's up to the challenge, on a project that's both compassionate and breathtaking.

7 of 16

THE EVALUATION TEAM

The following people will be involved in the evaluation of your proposal:

Jason Phipps - Commissioning Editor of Podcasts, BBC Sounds Alison Hindell – Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction, BBC Radio 4 Ella Watts – Audio Consultant, BBC Sounds Rachel Simpson – Commissioning team, BBC Sounds Elisha Sessions – Commissioning team, BBC Sounds Tim Giles – Business Affairs, BBC Sounds Subject matter experts (e.g. production experts, network management, finance, etc.) may also be consulted. See Section B for information on the commissioning process, timetable and assessment criteria.

Additional information:

The ‘Guide Price’ must cover all aspects of the production including talent fees, travel and accommodation and technical equipment needed on-site etc.

The contract will be offered as a “fixed price” deal and the BBC will assume that any elements included in proposals can be successfully delivered within the guide price given.

Production teams will be expected to adhere to all relevant editorial and copyright guidelines in place; and deliver all necessary production related paperwork in a timely fashion – e.g. Compliance Forms, Music Reporting Forms etc.

The BBC may modify the commissioning brief (including the timetable as outlined in Section B.1) at any time prior to the submission deadline. Any such amendment will be notified in writing to all prospective producers. To allow time for such amendment to be taken into account, the BBC may, at its discretion, extend the deadline for receipt of submissions.

The BBC reserves the right at any time prior to the award of a commission, and without incurring any liability to the affected suppliers, to accept or to reject any proposal, or to annul the commissioning process rejecting all Full Proposals. More information relating to all commissioning briefs and rounds, regardless of Networks can be found on the Pitching Ideas page of the Radio Commissioning Website

Unless based on a pre-existing BBC brand, the BBC’s approach to contracting podcasts commissioned against this brief is that the Supplier retains ownership over any new IP created. In the case of independent producers, the BBC requires an exclusive 10 year worldwide licence to make the content available through the BBC Sounds app and website and publish globally via RSS feed, with the exclusive option to either recommission further series, transfer the content/format to other BBC Public Services (for an agreed fee) or commission derivate works based on the content. Both in-house and independent producers are required to pre-clear contributors in accordance with the terms of the current agreement between the BBC and the relevant industry body (WGGB/Equity/MU etc). On confirmation of a commission, you will be contacted by a member of the Commercial, Rights &

8 of 16

Business Affairs team to further liaise on the contract. Please only submit a proposal if you are happy with these contracting principles.

SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS

1. TIMETABLE

The commissioning process consists of five stages, as set out in the timetable below:

Stage Timings (all midday) Activities

Launch Midday Wednesday June 5th

Publication of commissioning brief documentation and round opens in Proteus

1. Eligibility, Short Proposal and initial shortlisting

Midday Friday June 28th (three weeks and two days)

Deadline for submission, via Proteus, of Short Proposal and Eligibility Questionnaire responses

Friday 5th July

Producers shortlisted notified of outcomes and asked to prepare a Full Proposal.

2. Full Proposal Monday 8th July – Friday 12th July (five days)

Opportunity to discuss programme brief with Commissioning Editor prior to submitting Full Proposal.

Tuesday 16th July

Deadline for Full Proposal to be submitted via Proteus. Evaluation team shortlists Full Proposals.

Friday 19th July Successful producers invited for interview/pitch.

3. Interview/ Pitch w/c 22nd July

Interview/ Face to face pitches with shortlisted producers.

4. Conditional Commission offered

Tuesday 30th July

Commission award decision made, further discussion about development of concept and timescale will take place. Contract issued.

To be agreed

Agreement of all programme related deliverables and technical specifications.

Full contract signed.

5. Feedback Two weeks after publication of results

Deadline by which shortlisted producers may request feedback.

We will assess your proposal according to this timetable. Late submissions cannot be accepted.

9 of 16

If you have any questions about this commissioning brief that need answering before you submit your Short Proposal and Eligibility responses, please ensure you email them to Jason.phipps@bbc.co.uk and Rachel.simpson@bbc.co.uk by Monday 24th June at the latest.

10 of 16

2. THE FIVE STAGES

STAGE 1: PRODUCTION ELIGIBLITY, SHORT PROPOSAL AND INITIAL

SHORTLISTING

Step 1 : PRODUCTION ELIGIBLITY

The Production Eligibility question may differ from those used in other BBC Sounds briefs.

All answers to the Production Eligibility Questionnaire should be entered into the ‘Add/Edit Notes Here’ section in Proteus.

The Eligibility Questionnaire is designed to allow the BBC to understand more about your company and your experience in producing drama and podcasts. The BBC Commissioning Editor Jason Phipps will evaluate all eligibility questionnaires against the editorial brief set out in Section A before evaluating the Short Proposal (i.e. your short proposal may be declined at this stage if the information you provide indicates you do not meet the criteria), so please answer these questions carefully

Step 2 SHORT PROPOSAL Suppliers who performed best on their eligibility stage (by best demonstrating their experience and capability in producing drama and podcasts) will then have their Short Proposal assessed and a shortlist will be compiled.

Your Short Proposal should be no more than 250 words1 and summarise your specific ideas for this programme according to the editorial brief. It should demonstrate your ability to produce the programme, set out your editorial ambitions and address the requirements set out in Section A of this brief.

Step 4 You will be notified of the outcome of Stage 1. Shortlisted suppliers will be asked to make a Full Proposal. No feedback will be provided for unsuccessful proposals at this stage.

1 Please note, only the first 250 words of your Short Proposal will be read.

11 of 16

STAGE 2: FULL PROPOSAL

1 We may issue further relevant programme production information to all producers proceeding to this stage.

2 Producers proceeding to this stage will be invited to provide a Full

Proposal, via Proteus, responding to this commissioning brief. For guidance, your Full Proposal should not exceed five sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11. The Production Eligibility answer will only be considered during Stage 1 of the commissioning process. Producers may wish to consider repeating some, or all of the information given in the Full Proposal.

3 Producers will be offered the opportunity to discuss the programme brief with the commissioning editor prior to submitting their full proposal.

STAGE 3: INTERVIEW / PITCH

1 You may be invited to an interview/pitch meeting with the evaluation team. We will notify you which members of the evaluation team will be attending this meeting and you should expect to be asked to discuss and elaborate on your proposal, and answer questions about it. It is also possible we may ask you to bring additional relevant material to this meeting.

2 Following the interview/pitch, the evaluation team will re-evaluate your Full Proposal against the assessment criteria taking into account the responses given during the pitch, and any additional material requested. The evaluation team may then decide to award the contract to the producer(s) which best meets the assessment criteria;

Note: At any stage of the process, we may need to come back to you to seek clarification. Your answers will be factored into the evaluation process as appropriate.

3 Or we may decide to hold second interviews, for example, in the event where we need more information to be able to differentiate between proposals.

STAGE 4: CONTRACT SIGNED

STAGE 5: FEEDBACK If you’re unsuccessful after attending an interview / pitch meeting, you may request feedback. Once notified you have two weeks to request feedback. Requests for feedback should be made to jason.phipps@bbc.co.uk and rachel.simpson@bbc.co.uk. Feedback will be provided within two weeks of receiving the request.

12 of 16

3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

We will assess your Full Proposal and pitch according to the main criteria below (editorial proposal and capability, strategic priorities, value for money and risk). More details on how we will make our assessment will be given to all those shortlisted at the same time they are asked to submit a Full Proposal.

Assessment Criteria Weighting

Editorial proposal and capability

Indicators:

Fit of editorial proposal to BBC Sounds’ strategy and identified audience needs

Innovation and freshness Ability to appeal to broad audience in our target age range of 18-34 Experience of delivering compelling drama podcast Keen appreciation and deep knowledge of the sophisticated podcast

drama market Depth of knowledge of youth culture Demonstrable ability to attract, develop and manage on air and

production talent Plans on engaging young audiences through social media Diversity (in front of the mic and in production)

65%

Value for Money

Indicators:

Price per episode Financial plan (including budget showing production and overheads) Efficiency of production process Acceptance of key contract terms (which includes compliance with all

applicable UK law)

25%

Risk

Indicators:

Business Continuity (incl. Delivery) BBC Reputation Conflict of interest Ability to comply with all relevant UK legislation and BBC Policies (not

limited to Editorial)

10%

13 of 16

SECTION C: FULL PROPOSALS

1. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

Your Full Proposal must be entered into the main ‘Synopsis’ section in Proteus by noon on Monday 15th July - late submissions cannot be accepted. It should adopt the structure below and, should not in total exceed five sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11.

Part 1 – Your detailed Full Proposal, showing your response to the BBC’s requirements outlined in Section A of this commissioning brief.

Part 2 – A section containing the following information:

(i) The name and contact details of your nominated representative (a single point of contact within your organisation who will be responsible for all communication related to the commissioning brief).

(ii) The planned location for the production team who will produce the show should you be successful.

(iii) Evidence that you have the skills to deliver, or the ability to acquire the skills to deliver, the production of the programme in line with this commissioning brief.

(iv) Details of third party suppliers. You may want to work in partnership with third parties to deliver the brief. If so, you should include:

o responses on behalf of each partner o details of the responsibilities of each partner o an outline of the main personnel who will be responsible for the

production and delivery of the programme o an explanation of how working in partnership would be successfully

achieved, including a proposed legal structure (e.g. one lead contractor and sub-contractors).

(v) Details of your proposed total programme and per episode cost, broken down by price to BBC Public Service and any other funding sources. As part of our strategic priorities the BBC is making a commitment to the real living wage (as described by the Living Wage Foundation – see livingwage.org.uk). The per episode cost of the programme should be budgeted to account for the real living wage and the Full Proposal should include details of how compliance with the real living wage will be achieved.

(vi) As the BBC is looking for an original programme format, and not development of an existing programme/series, the BBC’s view is that TUPE will not be relevant or applicable to this commission.

14 of 16

Please note, the contract will be offered as a “fixed price” deal, with you being responsible for any overspend and entitled to keep any underspend. Whilst you are welcome to include proposals to deliver levels of content over and above that set out as required in Section A, this will need to be funded from within the published guide price.

If you have any questions regarding the submission of your Full Proposal, please ensure you email them to jason.phipps@bbc.co.uk and rachel.simpson@bbc.co.uk by Thursday 11th July at the latest.

2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US

NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVE

The BBC’s nominated representatives for this commissioning brief is jason.phipps@bbc.co.uk and rachel.simpson@bbc.co.uk. No individual other than the BBC’s nominated representatives (or his delegates as advised by the BBC) is authorised to discuss the contents or the substance of this commissioning brief with you. We’ll let you know of any change or addition to the BBC’s nominated representatives.

RESPONSES TO YOUR QUESTIONS

In the interest of fair competition, where we feel it’s appropriate, anonymised questions and responses will be circulated to all producers.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The BBC is a signatory to, and will abide by the principles of the APC Code.

Subject to Section 2, paragraph 5 (Freedom of Information Act), the BBC will keep confidential all commercially sensitive information included in responses to this commissioning brief and will only use this information for the purposes of evaluating the Full Proposal, provided that you have identified the confidential nature of any such information in your response documents.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

As a public authority, the BBC is required to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“FOIA”), which came into force on 1 January 2005. The FOIA is intended to deliver greater accountability for decisions and spending across the whole of the public sector. It requires public authorities to strike a balance between achieving transparency and protecting genuinely confidential or commercially sensitive information.

You should be aware that, under an FOIA request, the BBC may be required to disclose information contained within the Full Proposal or future contractual information. Following a request, the BBC may take the views of organisations submitting proposals into account when deciding what information will be disclosed.

For more information on the Freedom of Information Act see bbc.co.uk/foi.

15 of 16

COSTS

You submit responses to this commissioning brief and take part in this process at your own cost.

A FIXED PRICE DEAL

The contract will be offered as a “fixed price” deal; with you being responsible for any overspend and entitled to keep any underspend.

16 of 16

APPENDIX 1: ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

GUIDANCE

The Eligibility Questionnaire is the first part of your submission the BBC will consider as part of the process. Once completed, please copy and paste your responses into the Add/Edit Notes Here section of the Create Proposal page in Proteus – as per the screen grab below.

Part 1: Production Experience We require a production base with considerable experience and capability in drama and podcast production, with a realistic understanding of the production techniques and talent needed. 1.1 In no more than 250 words please summarise your track record in this area. [Insert details] 1.2 How long has the company’s substantive base been established? [Insert details] 1.3 Is your organisation part of a group? If so, give details of other group members. [Insert details] Please note: the answers given in response to the above questions will only be considered during Stage 1 of the commissioning process. If you are shortlisted and invited to submit a Full Proposal, you may wish to consider repeating some, or all of the information given in your Full Proposal.

Copy and paste Eligibility Section below into this field in Proteus.

Proteus Screen Grab