The short answer
UK broadcasters commission most programmes from independent production companies. Each channel has commissioning editors for each genre who buy ideas to fill particular slots and budgets. Producers pitch them directly, usually with a short treatment; for the public service broadcasters, terms of trade set by codes of practice usually leave the producer owning the programme's secondary rights.
Who commissions
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky each have commissioning teams organised by genre, such as drama, comedy, factual and entertainment, often with separate teams for specific channels or strands. Streamers commission too, usually with their own UK teams and different rights terms.
A commissioner is buying to fill something specific: a slot in the schedule, a strand, a budget band, an audience. The best pitches show they understand what that commissioner needs right now, which is why commissioning briefs are worth reading closely.
How a pitch moves
- An idea is developed by a production company, often with a writer attached.
- The company pitches a commissioner, usually with a one or two page treatment.
- If interested, the commissioner may pay for development: scripts, a pilot or a taster tape.
- A green light leads to a commission, a budget and a delivery schedule.
Writers without a production company usually find a route in by attaching to an independent with a relevant track record.
Terms of trade and rights
The public service broadcasters operate codes of practice, overseen by Ofcom, that govern how they deal with independent producers. In general, the broadcaster licenses UK broadcast rights for a period and the producer keeps the remaining rights, including international sales. Streamers more often acquire wider rights for a fixed fee.
Which model you are dealing with changes the economics of a project, so it is worth knowing before you pitch.
Timing
Drama in particular takes time: development, commissioning and production can run to two or three years. Ideas pinned to an anniversary or a trend need to be pitched well before the moment arrives; see our guide to anniversary programming.
Questions
Most commissions go through independent production companies, which pitch the relevant genre commissioner. Writers without a company usually attach to an independent. The BBC also runs schemes for new writers through BBC Writersroom.
The terms on which public service broadcasters commission from independent producers, set out in codes of practice overseen by Ofcom. They usually leave the producer owning secondary rights such as international sales.
It varies by genre. Scripted drama commonly takes two to three years from first pitch to broadcast; factual programmes can move faster.
In BlackSlate
More on commissioning