RADIO COMMISSIONING FRAMEWORK

Commissioning Brief

Commissioning Brief No: 10055 Production of Radio 1’s Life Hacks / Most Played (Talent: Cel Spellman and Katie Thistleton)from Summer 2019

2of16

CONTENTS SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY ................................................................. 3 SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS ...................................................... 7

1. TIMETABLE ...................................................................................................... 7 2. THE FIVE STAGES .......................................................................................... 8 3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ............................................................................. 10

SECTION C: FULL PROPOSALS ............................................................................. 11

1. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU ..................................................................... 112 2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US ...................................................................... 12 3. IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE ................................................................. 145

_Toc479866054

3of16

SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY Commissioning Brief 10055: Radio 1’s Life Hacks / Most Played (Talent: Cel Spellman and Katie Thistleton) Commission contact Robert Gallacher

Robert.Gallacher@bbc.co.uk and Aled Haydn Jones aled.jones@bbc.co.uk

Duration One year, with options for the BBC to renew for a further year on the same terms after both the first and second years.

Number of programmes available 50 show per year Transmission period Summer 2019 Guide price per episode £2,200 per episode.

Note: presenter fees to be covered by Radio 1

Commissioning Year 2019/2020 Commissioning Round Round 4 Production Location London All proposals must be submitted via Proteus and go through Production eligibility checks first. Please make your short proposal using no more than 500 words, covering your ideas for all programmes in the bundle.

Important Notes: • Short Proposals, and your responses to the Production Eligibility

Questionnaire (see Appendix 1, page 20), must be submitted via Proteus before the deadline at noon on Thursday 7th March.

• During Stage 1 of the process we will first evaluate the responses given in the Production Eligibility Questionnaire. We will then assess your Short Proposal.

• Shortlisted suppliers will be asked to submit a Full Proposal. This should not exceed five sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11.

• Producers are not permitted to contact on-air talent, without prior approval of the commissioner.

• Any producer found to be in breach of this will be excluded from the commissioning process.

• 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: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4fC4NcVXqkZntJv8ZHpClD8/pitching-ideas

We strongly advise you to submit your Proposals in good time to avoid the possibility of difficulties caused by unforeseen network or transmission problems. No late submissions will be accepted

BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 aims to entertain and engage young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. News, documentaries and other speech content focus on areas of relevance to young adults in the UK today; and aim to help them make sense of the world around them. Network Strategy Radio 1’s mission is to bring in new young diverse audiences to the BBC, creating outstanding content that will be listened to, watched and shared. The station is at the forefront of BBC Radio’s efforts to reinvent and grow radio. Our primary focus in 2019/20 is to grow reach and listening hours for our live linear radio programming. Working closely with BBC Sounds we are also looking to increase Radio 1’s fame and reputation through a compelling on-demand and digital offering. On-air programming is complimented by a wide range of multi-platform visual and social content, designed to appeal to both existing audiences and new ones who happen to stumble across it; ultimately converting this latter group into regular consumers of our audio content. Shortlisted production teams should include thoughts on how their specific programme proposal can grow audiences to the show in particular, as well as assisting with building the audience across Radio 1 as a whole. Editorial Opportunity Radio 1’s Life Hacks & Most Played (Sundays 1600-1900), plus companion Radio 1’s Life Hacks podcast Radio 1’s Life Hacks and Most Played are hosted by Cel Spellman and Katie Thistleton and occupy a key Sunday afternoon slot. For Life Hacks and its associated podcast we are expecting higher levels of content production and editorial oversight compared with Radio 1’s key specialist music shows, something reflected in the higher guide price being offered. Programme Content: Radio 1’s Life Hacks (1600-1800) is a high-profile magazine show, unique in style from Radio 1’s other daytime shows. The tone aims to be entertaining and conversational, with Cel and Katie chatting about key issues of interest to the younger end of Radio 1’s 15-29 year old target audience. From engaging life topics to matters concerning the heart and mind, the show offers its young listeners a ready-made friendship group and one stop shop to help them navigate through an important stage in their lives. A resident doctor joins Cel and Katie each week to offer expert advice to listeners. Life Hacks will occasionally introduce subjects which other stations and shows might find challenging, including drawing on content sourced from Radio 1 documentaries and/or podcasts where appropriate. However the tone needs to remain warm and entertaining throughout and we would welcome thoughts on how best to achieve this.

5of16

Radio 1’s Most Played (1800-1900) offers a slick, chart-style countdown based around the most important playlist in the UK – The Radio 1 playlist. Find out the most played tracks on the station that breaks more UK acts and bands than anyone else in the world. Sunday 6-7pm is understood across the radio landscape to be a ‘chart’ slot and Radio 1’s Most Played aims to offer listeners an entertaining guide to the biggest tunes of the week. Music Policy Radio 1’s central music team will supply a playlist of tracks for each show. Programme Strategy Radio 1’s Life Hacks sits in a key, Sunday afternoon slot, when competition for listeners is fierce, including from a number of high-profile, networked, chart based shows. We are looking for an entertaining magazine programme which offers listeners a unique alternative. It should be unafraid to be serious, but always open and welcoming. Radio 1’s Most Played should be fast-paced, exciting, chart format which is led by the music. Measure of Success Primarily growing live listener numbers in that slot as measured by RAJAR. Additional Deliverables

• We require the team to also deliver the weekly companion ‘Radio 1 Life Hacks Podcast’. Hosted by Katie Thistleton and Dr Radha, it is built around the stories featured in the linear radio show, but goes into greater depth.

• It is essential the team develop good editorial links with Radio 1’s other daytime shows, as well as other partners experienced in producing content which helps bring difficult subjects to life (for example Newsbeat, producers of Radio 1’s documentary output, or the station’s outreach team).

• Accurate programme descriptions and track-listings updated online as soon as practicable

Where appropriate, we would also want the production team to creatively deliver the Network’s wider weekly and monthly editorial messages; and to attend relevant Editorial meetings (either in person in London, or via video conferencing). Presenter during commissioning process

Following submission of a Full Proposal, production companies who have been shortlisted for a face to face pitch may approach presenters for a phone chat or short meeting.

6of16

Additional information / delivery requirements:

• The ‘Guide Price’ does not include any presenter/resident doctor fees or studio hire, which will be paid directly by Radio 1.

• 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.

• Due to the anticipated level of audience interaction the show needs to be broadcast live. It is currently presented from New Broadcasting House in London, but could alternatively come from the BBC’s studios in Salford.

• Access to all necessary broadcast production systems, as well as studios to enable the broadcast of the show (including an hour of pre and post show preparation time where possible), will be made available at no cost to the successful supplier throughout the contract.

THE EVALUATION TEAM

The following people will evaluate your proposal:

• Ben Cooper, Controller, Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network • Aled Haydn-Jones, Head of Content Commissioning, Radio 1 • Robert Gallacher, Commissioning Editor, Pop Network • Lou Kattenhorn, Commissioning Exec, Radio 1 / BBC Sounds • Joe Harland, Head of Visual Radio, Pop Network • Mark Waring, Senior Commercial Right and Business Affairs Manager, • Raluca Albu, Senior Procurement Manager

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.

7of16

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 Friday 8th February 2019

Round opens in Proteus Publication of audience packs.

1. Eligibility, Short Proposal and initial shortlisting

By noon on Thursday 7th March

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

Tuesday 12th March Producers shortlisted notified of outcomes and asked to prepare a Full Proposal.

2. Full Proposal From 12th March Opportunity to discuss programme brief with Commissioning Editor prior to submitting Full Proposal. .

Thursday 4th April Deadline for Full Proposal to be submitted via Proteus. Evaluation panel shortlists Full Proposals.

Successful producers may be invited for interview/pitch.

3. Interview/ Pitch w/c 8th April and w/c 15th Arpil

Interview/ Face to face pitches with shortlisted producers.

4. Conditional Commission offered

w/c 22nd April Commission award decision made, commissioning specification completed and contract issued.

w/c 22nd April Agreement of all programme related deliverables and technical specifications (for further information on Radio 1 requirements, please see the BBC’s commissioning website).

Full contract signed.

5. Feedback Friday 3rd May Deadline by which shortlisted producers may request feedback.

We will assess your proposal according to this timetable. Late submissions cannot be accepted. If you have any questions about this commissioning brief that need answering before you submit your Production Experience and Full Proposal responses, please ensure you email them to Aled.Jones@bbc.co.uk by 1st March 2019 at the latest.

8of16

2. THE FIVE STAGES

STAGE 1: PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE, SHORT PROPOSAL AND INITIAL SHORTLISTING

Step 1 : Production Experience

• Complete the Production Experience Questionnaire in Appendix 1 using no more than 100 words per response. Please note the questions used in this brief may differ from those used in other Radio 1 briefs.

• Enter your responses in the ‘Add/Edit Notes Here’ section in Proteus. The questionnaire is designed to allow the BBC to understand more about your company and your experience of producing Radio 1 style programmes. Commissioning Executive Robert Gallacher and Business Affairs Manager Mark Waring, together with others from the evaluation team, will evaluate all production questionnaires against the editorial brief set out in Section A before evaluating the Short Proposal. NB: 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 1Xtra style programmes) will then have their Short Proposal assessed and a shortlist will be compiled.

• Your Short Proposal should be no more than 500 words and summarise your specific ideas for ALL programmes within the 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.

• Enter your proposal in the ‘Short Synopsis’ section in Proteus before the deadline at noon on Thursday 7th March.

Step 3: Shortlisting notification You will be notified of the outcome of Stage 1. Shortlisted suppliers will be asked to submit a Full Proposal. No feedback will be provided for unsuccessful proposals at this stage.

STAGE 2: FULL PROPOSAL

Step 1: We may issue further relevant programme production information to all producers proceeding to this stage. If sensitive information is being released then producers will be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

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

Proposal, via Proteus, responding to this commissioning brief, which includes all the elements outlined in Section C (“Full Proposals”). For

9of16

guidance, your Full Proposal should not exceed five sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11. The Production Experience answers 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.

Step 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

Step 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 – for example, a sample feature.

Step 2: Following the interview/pitch, the evaluation team will re-evaluate your Full

Proposal against the assessment criteria outlined on page 15, 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.

Step 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 3: CONTRACT SIGNED

STAGE 4: 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 Robert Gallacher. Feedback will be provided within two weeks of receiving the request.

10of16

1. 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).

Assessment Criteria Weighting

Editorial proposal and capability

Key Indicators

Ø Editorial Fit: Fit of editorial proposal to Radio 1’s strategy and music policy, as well as BBC Radio’s overall vision and objectives

Ø Creative challenge: Response to specific creative and editorial challenges set out in brief

Ø Format: Format and structure of the programme Ø Agility: Ability to innovate and evolve programme in line with

changing audience habits Ø Specialist knowledge: Demonstrable experience of

creating engaging and entertaining content relating to real life issues facing young audiences in the UK today

Other Indicators

Ø Plans for engaging young audiences via social media and interactive content

Ø Proposed production team’s track record in producing programmes for a diverse range of youth audiences

Ø Ability to work collaborative with other production teams and suppliers

Ø Ability to manage and develop high profile on-air talent

75%

Value for Money

Ø Budget: the financial plan for the production, including a full budget breakdown showing production and overhead costs.

Ø Price: confirmation that the price per episode (for both the audio and visual content) is in line with the brief

Ø Efficiency: efficiency of the production process, ability to deliver additional value to the BBC

Ø Contract terms: acceptance of key contract terms (including compliance with applicable UK law)

10%

Risk Ø Transition: the ability to run a smooth handover of the production

from the incumbent production team Ø Production: the ability to produce shows of large scale and

volume with a consistent and experienced production team Ø Business continuity: adequacy and robustness of business

continuity plans; ability to continue the production in case of business disruption

Ø BBC reputational: the ability to produce a programme which poses limited / no risk to the reputation of the BBC

Ø Legislation and policy: the ability to comply with all relevant UK legislation and BBC policies (not limited to editorial policies)

Ø Conflict of interest risk

15%

11of16

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 Thursday 4th April 2019 – late submissions cannot be accepted. It should adopt the structure below and, (Part 1 detailed below) 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. And all details should be included in a template as below:

Production Costs Daily Rate Days/Week Total Executive Producer £0.00 Producer £0.00 Assistant Producer £0.00 Production Manager £0.00 Total: £0.00 Overheads @ % Production fees @ % Grand Total – ex VAT £0.00

12of16

(vi) Depending on the detail of your proposal, if you are successful in your bid to produce the programme, TUPE – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 – (and/or any superseding or amending legislation) may apply. If this is the case, we will need additional information from you.

Appendix A – Confirmation of acceptance of the BBC’s key contract terms.

Appendix B – Risk management. You should identify specific risks e.g. production risk, business continuity etc.; and the processes or systems that will be put in place to manage these. If applicable, you should also include a detailed transition plan and an explanation of how you will manage the transition from the current production of the programme, with minimum disruption.

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 Aled.Jones@bbc.co.uk cc’ing by 28th March 2019 at the latest.

2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVE The BBC’s nominated representatives for this commissioning brief are Aled.Jones@bbc.co.uk and Louise.kattenhorn@bbc.co.uk. No individual other than the BBC’s nominated representative (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.

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

CONFIDENTIALITY Subject to Section 2, paragraph 5 (Freedom of Information Act), the BBC will keep confidential all commercially sensitive information included in responses to this

13of16

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.

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.

CONTRACT DURATION FOR STRANDS We reserve the right to vary the start date of the contract as may be required to take into account the successful producer’s transition plan and any related issues identified. In assessing the proposed transition plan, the BBC’s relationship with the audience will be paramount.

14of16

3. IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE

All Full Proposals should be submitted using Proteus by noon on. Thursday 4th April 2019 Part 1 should not in total exceed five sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11.

We strongly advise you to submit your final responses in good time to avoid the possibility of difficulties caused by unforeseen network or transmission problems. No late submissions will be accepted.

If additional supporting material is requested prior to the pitching meeting, we will notify you of how and when to submit this in good time ahead of that meeting.

This commissioning brief is not a contract. However, the information contained in this commissioning brief, together with your responses, will form the basis of the final contract between you and the BBC.

The BBC reserves the right to exclude any producer that is found to either:

a) have provided information which is untrue, or b) be in breach of any of the terms of the non-disclosure agreement.

IMPORTANT: Producers wishing to submit a proposal under this brief are not permitted to contact BBC production staff, seeking information about the programme, during the commissioning period without prior consent from the commissioner.

Producers are not permitted to contact on-air talent or their producers, unless shortlisted for face to face pitch, and with prior approval of the commissioner.

Any producer found to be in breach of this clause will be excluded from the commissioning process.

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:

By submitting your proposal, you confirm acceptance of the key contract terms.

Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the following instructions. Proposals not complying with these instructions may be rejected by the Commissioner whose decision in this matter will be final.

15of16

APPENDIX1:EXPERIENCEQUESTIONNAIREGUIDANCE

The Experience 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.

You MUST complete Section 1 ONLY if you plan to submit a full proposal as part of a partnership. Please list each partnership and describe the responsibilities each partner will take. [Insert details] Please indicate the lead company with whom the BBC will contract. [Insert details] Please include the key personnel responsible for the production and delivery of the programme and details of the partnering company they are currently contracted to. Part 2: Production Experience You MUST complete these Production Experience questions. In no more than 100 words per response, please outline your relevant production experience, using recent examples, in the following areas: 2.1 Radio 1 is focused on serving young, 15-29 year old audiences and is passionate about youth culture. Please outline your company’s experiences of producing programmes aimed at this audience. [Insert details]

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

Proteus Screen Grab

16of16

2.2 We are looking for a show which helps younger audiences deal with key issues affecting their lives in an engaging and entertaining way. Please outline your company’s experience in producing content of this type. [Insert details] 2.3 Young audiences love their phones and the ability these allow to interact via social media. Please outline any relevant experience you have in producing engaging interactive and social content. [Insert details] 2.4 We require a production team with a realistic understanding of the pressures involved in producing high-quality programmes over a sustained period. Please give an indicated of your experiences in this area and the depth of production talent within your company. [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.