45 delegates came to the latest of Vision+Media's 'Meet The Commissioners' programme, getting the chance to hear from Factual commissioning teams including Nesta Owens (Discovery), Matt Bennett (Channel 5), Siobhan Mulholland (SKY), and Clare Paterson and Ingrid Geser, BBC Documentaries and News & Current Affairs, respectively).
The event was produced by John Morris. Commissioners were taken through their paces by ex-World In Action executive Ian McBride, and delegates had the opportunity to stay for smaller, breakout sessions with the commissioners, where they could ask more in-depth questions, before networking with peers to finish.
We received great feedback from attendees, including comments on what a good host Ian McBride was, how useful it was to meet with commissioners outside of the M25, and that it provided good networking opportunities.
For those disappointed by the absence of Channel 4 and ITV, fear not - we hope to arrange seperate events with these broadcasters later in the year... Watch this space!
For those who missed the event, here is a quick summary of what the commissioners are looking for:
Siobhan Mulholland (SKY): She has slots available at 6pm (high volume, upbeat, populist factual entertainment, please!) and at 8pm (boys and gadgets, female skewed makeovers, relationships - but funny, rather than serious - e.g top ten relationship tips). Also looking for specialist factual and 'off-the-wall' - think An Idiot Abroad - plus, she hints, 'keep ideas simple and tasters really do help'. She's keen on talent-based shows (think future Kim and Aggie type combinations). What doesn't work for SKY? Serious observational documentaries, and one-offs.
Nesta Owens (Discovery): Nesta has six channels to fill. Of these, Real Time is looking for practical and educational content - shows that can compete with Wife Swap, or Come Dine With Me. An example of a brand that works for them is 'My Greek/ My Cypriot Kitchen'. Home & Health, on the other hand, is interested in 'baby stuff'.
Matt Bennett (Five): Despite recent press, they are very much open for business! Brands that work for Five are things like Extraordinary People, and the History strand, which is still running (ideas to Andrew O'Connell). They are looking for access-based observational mini-series; police series are of interest (but no blue flashing lights please); budgets are there, and may even be increasing. Celebrity based, facutal entertainment, possible synergies with publications.
Clare Paterson (BBC): Opportunities for indies are out there, including small indies. Singles are a good way of introducing a company to the BBC.
BBC 1 - think content, rather than fancy delivery. Also, things like Story of our Time - purposeful content;
BBC 2 - Seasons are possible, successes include Great Ormand Street, John Lewis, Great British Bakeoff, Lambing Life - there is a big push for access driven (social services programming in the pipeline).
BBC 3 - Classic documentaries that can transfer to BBC 1, such as Small Teen, Big World specifically mentioned Nine Lives Production. Broad, popular, depth, young person's perspective, fun to watch, counter intuitive and leaves viewer to make up their own mind.
BBC 4 - Richard Klein, controller, already mentioned programmes with presenters with attitude.
Ingrid Geser (BBC): There are slots to fill at BBC 1 - wide appeal, and imaginative;
BBC 2 - Foreign Affairs strand, strong foreign - two types - main international and small reputational (Gypsy Child) 2, 3 or 4 part series.
For 2011-12, looking for big issues, ahead of the curve.
BBC 3 - Danny Cohen, controller is seeking younger viewers, tone is crucial, single person narrative, sometimes key casting, coming of age classics and they want ideas for 2011 for these slots.
BBC 4 - small slate, archive driven, mainstream agenda
Regarding BBC Current Affairs, the following has worked:
BBC 1 - Chocolate; The Bitter Truth (Panorama), plus Spoilt Rotten
BBC 2 - This World; Generation Jihad
BBC 3 - Peckham Finishing School for Girls; Lindsey Lohan's Indian Journey - both achieving younger BBC audience for BBC 3.