³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA SUMMER COMMISSIONING ROUND 2025

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA’s outlook is broad, and our ambitions are big. We want to move, excite and inspire audiences across Scotland and beyond with strong human stories and unique perspectives. Authenticity, relatability and a willingness to take risks are key.

This commissioning call-out is focused on factual content. We are seeking proposals for bold and brave programmes that can win a wide audience, as well as ideas that can achieve critical recognition for the channel. The quality and authenticity of the core idea and its creative realisation are fundamental to us.

Although co-funding isn’t essential, we welcome proposals which have other partners attached, or which have the potential to do so.

COMMISSIONING PRIORITIES 

• We are looking for high-impact factual content. Programmes with compelling characters and contemporary issue-led stories are particularly welcome.

• We will consider returning factual entertainment series that have performed well with audiences.

• We are not prioritising historical subjects - unless there’s a contemporary resonance, an innovative approach, or a realistic prospect of co-financing. 

• We are not looking for proposals that are essentially music performances with a factual wraparound but we will consider music documentaries

SCHEDULE PRIORITIES

• This round is primarily for content delivering into the 2025/26 schedule - including the key Christmas/New Year showcase.

• We’re looking for distinctive, eye-catching primetime content which will stand out on both the linear schedule and iPlayer.

• iPlayer-first series ideas are welcome. At the heart of iPlayer proposals should be a hooky format to compel the audience to return for more. Episodes should be fast-paced, bold and colourful with bags of wit and attitude.

FORMATS AND DURATIONS

• We will consider single programmes and short series.

• We can take a flexible approach to durations.

• We will consider ambitious feature-length single documentaries that have a cinematic/festival life cycle before appearing on linear TV. Feature documentaries should have co-funding attached or a credible co-funding finance plan in place.

CO-FUNDING

Priority will be given to ideas that take into consideration further funding such as, but not limited to:

• Creative Scotland's Broadcast Content Fund

• Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification) 

SUBMISSIONS

Proposals should be one or two pages (max) and must include:

• Programme title. This should be short, searchable and entice the viewer scrolling through iPlayer. Please provide a Gaelic and English version.

• Format. The number of programmes and their duration.

• Programme price. Cost per programme and/or for the full series (as appropriate).

• Logline. The programme idea in a one-line nutshell.

• Treatment. A summary of the story and an indication or taster reel featuring the key on-screen people; the creative approach and visual style. If you’re pitching a series tell us what makes it hooky and why the audience will want to return for more.

• Mock-up of an iPlayer thumbnail. A visual and graphic representation of the content; how will it catch the viewer’s eye and encourage them to watch?

• Two or three strong supporting images

• Key off-screen team

• Digital media. What are the digital and social plans for this idea?

• Marketing opportunities

Please ensure that the above noted essential elements are included in your proposal.

We welcome taster reel although they’re not essential. However, if new talent is involved an audition reel is crucial.

Please do not attach talent names to your submissions unless they have been approached and expressed interest.

DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Deadline for ideas: 21/5/25, 5pm

The opportunity for a follow-up conversation with commissioners may be given.

We will aim to have made our commissioning decision on or by: 11/6/25

Submissions and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Claire MacDonald and Jennifer MacKenzie at: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk 

Children’s Versioned Animation

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA is a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ licensed television service managed in partnership by MG ALBA and the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

This commissioning round contains an invitation for submissions from suitable companies interested in the delivery of Gaelic language versions of animations for children. Gaelic versioned animations are a key part of the children’s offering and add variety and texture to our service. The animations will be acquired by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and supplied to the production company.

Children’s Versioned Animations

Broadcast slot: 5-7pm weekdays and 4-6pm weekends

Primary Digital Platform: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer

Format: Series of programmes of various duration

Audience: Children, Pre-school and Children up to the age of 12

Duration of supply contract: 1 year, Summer 2025 – Summer 2026, with an option to renew for a second year

Hours: up to 30 hrs per year, offered as one commission of 30 hours to be produced by a single company, or 2 x packages of 15 hrs, which may be produced by separate companies

Budget per annum: up to £10k per hr (fixed price)

The submission should include:

1. Company background and track record, including a short showreel of previous work in the Gaelic language and with other clients

2. Proposed key production, post-production, writing and voice talent

3. A plan for the development of new and existing Gaelic language writers and voice talent

4. Company policies towards the Gaelic language, diversity and sustainability

5. Hours per annum envisaged by the production company

6. Demonstrate a clear understanding of current writer and voice artist arrangements and fees

Supply contract/s will commence from Summer 2025.

Supply contracts will cover a period of 1 year with an option to renew for a second year. Programme delivery will generally be from November 2025 onwards but some titles may be required earlier.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA executives will make themselves available for short meetings with prospective applicants. In addition any questions raised during the submission process that are not specific or commercially sensitive to a particular production company may be published as FAQs to enable all production companies access to the same level of information.

For information on how to set up a meeting or if you have questions regarding any aspect of this commissioning round, please e-mail bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk

Deadline for supply submissions: Monday March 31, 2025 at 5pm.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA partnership decision: Tuesday April 22, 2025 by 5pm.

New Gaelic-language digital-first factual-entertainment opportunity

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland are looking for ideas for new short-form factual-entertainment series aimed at younger digital audiences (18-24). The priority is to deliver factual-entertainment in a fresh and engaging way with the very best of Gaelic talent front-and-centre and behind the scenes.

We envisage episodes of around 8-15 minutes that are custom-built for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA YouTube. At the heart of the series should be a hooky or compelling format. Think about why the audience will want to return for another bite. Episodes should be fast-paced and colourful with bags of fun, wit and attitude. Please note, however, that we’re not looking for straight documentary.

We welcome interest from Scottish production companies based in the Highlands and Islands or in co-production with production companies based elsewhere. Pitches must show how production companies will support production and the development of Gaelic-speaking talent in the Highlands and Islands.

Proposals should also include two of the following elements in and/or from the Highlands and Islands.

• Talent

• Contributors

• Locations

• Production

New formats can have a mixed language-scheme, but the predominant onscreen language should always be Gaelic.

We expect the tariff to be circa £1k per minute and we would expect producers to tailor their editorial ambitions to reflect this, or work with additional funders to increase the overall production budget.

Initial ideas (short treatments) should be submitted before 12pm on 27.03.25. Please include information about on and off-screen talent, including supporting video for new onscreen talent, a budget total, clearance proposals for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA YouTube and a company biography.

Pitches should be submitted to gaelicdigitalcommissioning@bbc.co.uk.

This opportunity forms part of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ALBA’s two-year commitment to support new Gaelic-language production opportunities in and from the Highlands and Islands that includes drama alongside factual-entertainment formats.

GAELIC TV DRAMA DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY 2025

GAELIC TV DRAMA

The popular and critical success of An t-Eilean has shown how a gripping Gaelic story set in a stunning island landscape can attract wide audiences and co-investment.

We are currently expanding our TV Drama development slate and are looking for ambitious new ideas from writers and producers.

What we are looking for

This is an exciting opportunity to develop a brand-new Gaelic TV drama that will punch above its weight creatively and critically.

We are looking for original ideas that will connect with a Gaelic audience. Something rooted and relatable that speaks to viewers’ lives and experiences.

At the same time for ideas to attract distributor interest and co-investment, ideas need to be able to appeal to an international audience.

Story ideas should be absolutely compelling – making dramatic use of the Gaelic world. Keep in mind our two USPs - our language and our landscape.

Genre

We are open to all popular genres that will excite, entertain and move viewers – both at home and abroad.

We would like Gaelic to be reflected in the here-and-now, and not in a nostalgic past. However, we are open to period settings – so long as there are realistic prospects for co-financing and/or the cast of characters and locations are limited.

We are also unlikely to look at horror, sci fi, myth or fantasy as part of this call-out.

Adaptations will be considered alongside original ideas – but the rights must be available.

Format

Our priorities are serials of 45-60 minute episodes. Returnability is not essential.

Language

This call out is for drama ideas predominantly told in the Gaelic language. However, depending on the level of co-investment, we will consider a proportion of other languages (including English) up to a maximum of 25%. The script must be originated in Gaelic.

Audience

We want to appeal to the broadest possible audience – both on linear and iPlayer. But please also keep one eye on a UK-wide and international viewership.

Ambition

Our watchwords are originality, vision and ambition. We are looking for a distinctive creative voice with a unique perspective on the world.

Talent

We want to work with the very best, creative talent from across Scotland. This call-out is open to established drama production companies with a proven track record in TV drama working with top-flight Gaelic creatives. Cultural and linguistic authenticity are key.

We are not looking for casting suggestions at this early stage. However, ideas should play to the strengths of the Gaelic acting pool.

Co-finance and tax credits

Although this call-out is for early-stage development we would like to see ideas or projects which have credible co-finance potential with funding partners such as other broadcasters, screen agencies and distributors. We also welcome proposals for high-end TV drama that would qualify for the UK AVEC tax credit.

Budget

In order to qualify for UK AVEC TV tax relief we are looking for projects pegged at £1m (minimum) per broadcast hour.

SUBMISSIONS

What to submit

This is not a call-out for full scripts. A simple treatment outlining the story, the main characters and the proposed approach is all that’s required at this stage - maximum 4 pages.

Please also include CVs for the key creative talent.

If the idea is an adaptation of a literary work, you will need to confirm that the rights are available.

Where to submit

bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk

When to submit

Please get your submission to us by 1700 on 25.04.25.

Next steps

We will aim to read all the ideas by 09.05.25. We may follow up with an invitation to writers and/or producers to discuss their projects with us.

By 30.05.25 we will make a decision on which projects we want to develop. We will feedback to all applicants as soon as is feasible after that date. Successful writers/production companies will receive an offer for paid development.

For more information

If you would like any further information on this development call-out, please get in touch with Bill Macleod bill.macleod@mgalba.com

Who we are

• Head of Gaelic Services & Inclusion: Margaret Mary Murray
• Director of Content Additionality: Margaret Cameron
• Commissioning Editor: Bill MacLeod
• Commissioning Executive: Fiona MacKenzie
• Commissioning Executive: Calum McConnell