Pitching programme ideas: TV commissioner's tips

The BBC Academy Podcast

To get a programme on television, you first have to master the commissioning process and pitch to someone who’s in a position to give you the go-ahead.

“When it works it is absolutely the best feeling in the world,” says Lisa Hazlehurst, head of Lion Television, Scotland. “When it doesn’t work you really do have to pick yourself up.”

"The key to success is serendipity and something that punches your show above the noise – and that’s often the talent.”– Alan Tyler

In this podcast presenter Sally Magnusson speaks to TV commissioners about:

- what they’re looking for - the best way to approach them - what goes into a taster tape

Producers who win a commission should enjoy the moment, warns executive editor at BBC entertainment commissioner Alan Tyler. As one producer explained to him, it’s “30 seconds of ecstasy when you get the commission, followed by the horrible realisation that you now have to make the bloody thing".

The guests on this panel include Alan, Lisa, the BBC commissioning editor for daytime and early peak Jo Street, BBC commissioning editor for science and factual Craig Hunter and BBC Scotland commissioning editor Ewan Angus.