Last updated
June 2024
I am commissioning content across all of ±«Óătv Radio Scotland and Events, Arts and Music for television and digital.
As the majority of ±«Óătv Radio Scotland programming consists of long running strands, there are not huge opportunities. However there are some clear specifics we are looking for in the attached brief.
For ±«Óătv One Scotland, we are already pretty fully committed in our on-going events slate, but we are always on the lookout for any new sizeable and significant events that are not in the current schedule.
For the ±«Óătv Scotland channel I am very interested in how we can approach events in a new and innovative way that reflects the personality of the channel. Small or large, what is a must for our audience to experience, and what can we do in partnership with our other Radio and Digital services and with ±«Óătv Alba.
Current opportunities
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Documentary SeriesFor 2024/25, we are looking for occasional one-offs or short documentary series which you feel needs a special position in the ±«Óătv Radio Scotland schedule. There is limited opportunity for these, so it really has to warrant a place and deliver a “must listen” experience. Recent such commissions have included a programme on Scottish athletes at the Paralympics and a powerful two part documentary on multiple male suicide at a shinty club. |
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Podcast Priorities2024/25 Commissioning Round We have opportunities for a limited number of high impact podcasts ideas which can cut through and can grow an audience. Remember the importance of strong portrayal. Our podcasts should be authentically rooted in Scotland while having universal appeal – The Missing Madonna, Dead Man Running are great examples of storytelling that achieves these dual aims. We’d love to hear ideas that are genre-shifting or brings some fun, something unexpected, a twist on a story or subject that’s not been done before and that target under-served audiences. Successful talent combinations can be crucial to podcast success, so we are also looking for high profile, big name talent that can provide their own unique take in the lifestyle, entertainment and comedy areas. We are also keen to look at podcasts which extend the brand of successful TV formats that can bring an audience across to ±«Óătv Sounds. We’re also looking for ideas which can be returning series.
Aligning with Sounds Brands To maximise discoverability, we looking to commission into key Sounds brands. We’re working with audio teams in Northern Ireland, Wales and Local in England and have launched an umbrella brand that will host around four high impact narrative podcasts per year. This new podcast feed Crime Next Door will feature powerful, authentic storytelling from across the UK, rooted in our communities. Two umbrella brands on Sounds, where we can feed in Scottish content Crime Next Door - Devastating crimes, pained communities Dark crime documentaries – individual stories painstakingly told by Scottish communities shocked by murder, assault, horror and gore Tone and treatment • Unvarnished, documentary style investigations • Intimate, authentic storytelling featuring a collection of voices from a community • Passionate, invested presenter typically with strong connections to the city or town where the crimes have taken place • Immersive podcast episodes 15-30 minutes long
Assume Nothing Irresistible factual thrillers – nothing is ever as it seems Tone and treatment • Events and stories once understood as true are re-examined with fresh eyes. PI-esque,re-investigating, trawling records and archives and persuading people to speak up • Topical or historical – telling audiences something about the place in which they live. Their own history (contemporary or much older) by stealth • Often dramatised elements • Guiding through events with hooky, thriller-esque narratives, laden with reveals and jeopardy, but based firmly in fact. Each episode finishes with the listener craving the next instalment • Episodes vary in length from 9 – 29 minutes dependent on topic and pace
The above briefs we are running as rolling commissioning, so we’re happy to receive pitches at any time. Proposals need to be submitted via PiCos, the ±«Óătv’s commissioning system. If you don’t have a log-in, contact radioscotlandschedules@bbc.co.uk for more information on creating an account.
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Arts and Music programming We are always on the lookout for proposals which can deliver arts and music in an accessible and dynamic way to our audience and celebrate the cultural life of Scotland. From set piece moments, through to documentary, and live sessions, we want to reflect and represent all aspects of the vibrant arts and music culture we have in Scotland. Ideas that can span tv, radio and digital and can be delivered in partnership are particularly of interest. |
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Heather Kane-Darling
Heather is editorially responsible for ±«Óătv Radio Scotland and commissions and schedules all content for the station. Heather also commissions the wider music and events portfolio across ±«Óătv Scotland.
Heather joined the ±«Óătv in 2017 and cemented her leadership and editorial skills across a range of output: live programming - including a daily phone-in, arts & entertainment, religion, audio features, specialist programmes and podcasts including Bible John: Creation of a Serial Killer; The Cruelty – A Child Unclaimed; The Missing Madonna and $6 Billion Dollar Gold Scam.
She spent 7 years as Executive Editor of ±«Óătv Scotland’s Speech & Topical team helping to inspire, create and drive multi-platform productions across networks including ±«Óătv Radio 4, Radio 3, ±«Óătv 5 Live, WS, Radio Scotland and ±«Óătv Sounds.
Heather has worked in radio for 25 years, starting out in journalism, she has an extensive background in news and current affairs, she had editorial control and management of award winning news teams at multi-station sites across the UK as Group Head of News for the Guardian Media Group’s radio business.
During this time overseeing news regional and national coverage of terrorist attacks, the war on terror, local and national elections, major sporting events, crime, high profile trials, royal events as well as arts and entertainment.
Moving into programming she then led a team of Programme Controllers for Communicorp UK’s 8 radio stations implementing brand programming strategy to grow listening and engagement of national brands including Heart, Capital, Smooth and XS.
Programme delivery; Billings, trails and publicity; Useful contacts
Commissioners and their briefs
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Radio and Events
Heather Kane-Darling -
Factual
David Harron -
Sport, Archive Formats, Acquisitions & New Talent
Tony Nellany -
Scripted and Entertainment
Gavin Smith -
Popular Factual and Formats
Steve Allen