BBC Radio 1 is opening up more opportunities for independent production companies to pitch to make programmes for the station.
Five slots are being put out for indies to bid for early next year, while they can also put forward ideas for a further 10 shows under the ‘Window of Creative Competition’ scheme where they compete against in-house production teams at the pitch.
One of the independently-produced shows will be a new slot featuring new music which will air on both Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1 Xtra in the early hours of Sunday morning. The stations’ Controller Ben Cooper said he was looking to the indie sector to find a brand new presenter for the slot too.
From April 2012, 10% of the Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s programming will be produced by independent productions companies and over 10% of programming will be available through a window of creative competition (WoCC).
Shows up for tender under the WoCC include new specialist output announced by Radio 1 last week, as well as Benji B, Nihal, Rob da Bank and Annie Nightingale.
Radio 1’s Review Show and Matt Edmondson Show will be produced out of house for the first time, while the Rock Show and Punk Show are also up for external commission.
Ben Cooper said: “The exciting new line-up of talent that we announced last week should provide programme makers with inspiration for new and creative ideas, and I’m really looking forward to hearing what ideas the indie sector come up with for the brand new show – it’s a completely blank canvas, so a real opportunity for creativity and a fresh approach.”
Piers Bradford, Commissioning Editor, Radio 1 & 1Xtra, added: “We look forward to continuing to strengthen relationships between Radio 1 and the indie sector and seeking out the best new ideas for our young listeners.”
More information about the opporunities will be on the BBC Commissioning website from 9th January with decisions expected by the end of February and the new shows going on air from April 2012.
Available for Independent Production Companies:
The Rock Show, The Punk Show (as a pair)
Radio 1 Review Show, Matt Edmondson Show (as a pair)
Brand new Simulcast Idea – Saturday (0100 – 0300)
Available for Independent Productions via the WoCC:
Radio 1 Stories – ongoing
Nihal, Toddla T, Benji B (as a group)
Charlie Sloth, Friction (as a pair)
Rob da Bank, Skream & Benga, Annie Nightingale (as a group)
Radio 1 Nations Show
In addition to the programmes up for tender, In New DJ’s We Trust, Essential Mix and Radio 1’s Residency will continue to be produced by Somethin’ Else Productions and Tim Westwood’s Saturday night show will continue to be produced by Justice.
Posted on Thursday, December 15th, 2011 at 3:05 pm by RadioToday UK