Media release: BBC Daytime and Early Peak opens invitation to pitch for nationwide commission on BBC Two

THE BBC has published an invitation to pitch (‘ITP’) for UK Food Stories (w/t) on BBC Two; a unique collaboration between BBC Daytime and Early Peak and the BBC’s commissioning teams in each of the nations – Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, to find a new series focussed on food, farming and the countryside.

Suppliers with an existing, substantive base outside London in the nations and English regions are invited to pitch to produce and deliver 20 x 30 minute programmes for BBC Two (6.30pm, weekdays). The successful supplier will also deliver four 5×30′ originations for each nation, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

The network edition (20×30′) and the Nations editions will include original VT content which will be separately commissioned from local suppliers in each nation.

Each nation will premiere their 30-minute programmes, most likely weekly, prior to the network episodes transmitting across four weeks.

The editorial focus of UK Food Stories (w/t) will be on food, farming and the countryside. It will explore how the landscape has influenced what we eat and will explore both traditional and contemporary stories around food production, supply chains and the environmental impact of how food is produced across the UK.

Carla-Maria Lawson, head of Daytime and Early Peak, says: “The universality of food makes this a perfect territory for us to come together to tell a range of stories from across the UK.

“We’re excited to come together as a team in this unique collaboration and to hear ideas that tap into the deep connection between the land and the way we eat today.”

The shortlist for the network programme will include at least one supplier from each of the nations with an existing substantive base in that location.

The successful supplier for the main show will participate in the final selection of the VT suppliers who will be contracted directly by the BBC. Up to two local VT suppliers will be commissioned in each of the four nations for initial inclusion in the relevant run.

The commissioning process will be led by Lindsay Bradbury in BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning, in collaboration with Eddie Doyle, senior head of Content Commissioning, Northern Ireland, Nick Andrews, senior head of Content Commissioning, Wales, Louise Thornton, senior head of Multi-platform Commissioning, Scotland, and Aisling O’Connor, senior head of Content Commissioning, England.

The invitation to pitch is now live on the BBC Commissioning site, here. The details will be outlined at a supplier briefing on Wednesday 8th December at 10am, with more information to be released in due course.

MEDIA RELEASE issued by BBC Scotland. You too can share your stories (aka press or media releases), on this site. Email here for more information.

Contact: BBC Scotland press office

Email: Sophie.west@bbc.co.uk