Commissions Unit- Research into BBC Three + Possible Timeslots

To get ready for this project I have decided to do some research into the types of documentary's that channels such as BBC3 are renowned for since this is the channel that would hypothetically show our finished film. Ilianna and I searched for ideas after the initial group meeting and we came back with our suggestions. Once we thought of some potentially interesting ideas we wrote them down and decided to see if we could make them as original as possible.

Here are some Documentaries I looked at to see what types of shows they are looking for, I found some very useful information on the BBC website. This contained a Commissioning brief for BBC Three's programming including Documentaries and Current Affairs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/briefs/tv/browse-by-channel/bbc-three/

BBC Three Controller: Zai Bennett

Our Priorities

BBC Three is primarily aimed at younger
audiences than it's sister channels.

We have three key priorities:

• The channel needs to be disciplined about focusing on the young - its centre of gravity will be 16-34 year-olds: people who are young in spirit and mindset.
• BBC Three is ‘Never Afraid to Try New Things’ and that’s why we will continue to innovate with breakthrough comedy, stand-out entertainment, brave documentary and intelligent factual formats. Our content needs to have potential to innovate across platforms.
• BBC Three should provide an environment for the development of new ideas and talent and for existing talent to take risks, becoming a genuine laboratory for BBC One and BBC Two.

I then found out some information about what they are looking for in regards to Documentary's and Current Affairs..

Documentary and Current Affairs

Whether its matters of body or mind, bringing programming together around a single season or theme works well on BBC Three. The Criminal Britain and The Body Beautiful seasons were great successes and more recently we aired It's a Mad World, an agenda setting season of thought-provoking and often uplifting programmes dedicated to debunking the myths and taboos around mental health issues. We are always seeking ideas for new seasons that will engage with our audience.  And this engagement can also be more light- hearted.   Our documentary series The Call Centre, achieved high ratings with our audiences when, thanks to boss Nev, we got involved with the lives and loves of the very entertaining employees of a Swansea call centre.

We are also looking for ideas for single documentaries like the hard-hitting India: A Dangerous Place To Be A Woman and Petrol Bombs and Peace: Welcome to Belfast, as well as series that can shine a light on domestic and international issues such as Stacey Dooley’s three part investigation into drug trafficking.  And we’ve had  great success with fast turnaround documentaries reflecting big news stories eg Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened?  Horsemeat Banquet and The Cleveland Captives: What Really Happened? 

I think looking at everything that has been written here the ideas Ilianna and myself have chosen we could appeal towards the audience that would typically watch this type of programming. I think it is clear that a lot of these shows like adding a sense of drama as well so that is important to keep in mind.

In regards to a possible time-slot  I want to aim for one around the 8:30 to 9:30 mark and think this would be beneficial for us. This is the time in which most other channels such as Channel 4, E4 and Five are showing US imports. On the main channels such as ITV and BBC shows such as Coronation Street and Panorama respectively are aimed at older audiences. I think this gives us a higher chance that audiences in the 16-34 age bracket will sit down and watch a Documentary on BBC Three.

I also found an interview with Sam Bickley, the Head of Commissioning for Features on Documentaries on BBC Three:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/briefs/tv/browse-by-genre/documentaries/documentaries-on-bbc-three.shtml