RTÉ has announced the following commissioning calls:
Factual - Popular Factual & Factual Entertainment - New, High Impact, Returnable Series for RTÉ2
- Slot: Tuesdays and Thursday Post-watershed - 40 and 52 minute
- Budget: Up to €90k per hour for formats and series propositions
(NB in exceptional cases RTÉ may agree to increase the above budget per hour and in such instances Producers should clearly outline specific reasons and provide costs for the same, e.g. fixed rig costs).
For RTÉ2 strong original or proven formats that make noise and appeal to a generation engaged with multi online platforms as a daily way of life. First Dates is a true example of this. Pulling With My Parents proved really popular and has resonance for many viewers. Authentic voices that are heard above social media clutter. RTÉ2 wants popular primetime formats that will deliver a young audience but also have broad appeal whatever the idea; they want series that are entertaining, warm and escapist.
Male skewing Formats are also welcome. Ultimate Hell Week proved particularly popular among the hard to reach, young male audience.
Formats are leading the charge for post watershed on RTÉ2. Ultimate Hell Week, First Dates, Pulling With My Parents are the mainstays of the current schedule. RTÉ2 is looking for a new, returnable series that sits well along side formats like these.
They are also open to commissioning short series like My Yellow Brick Road or The Fitting Room, to road-test a small number of ideas which may or may not, develop into long form, returnable series.
RTÉ2 wants to commission Popular Factual programming for the generation that is leading the change in Irish society. When not trying to find somewhere to live, millennials are using social media for most traditional Lifestyle offerings like dating, cooking or design so what can you develop to grab their attention while not alienating older audiences. First Dates is a good example. Tone and access are very important here and RTÉ2 is looking for clever use of resources that will allow stories to be told in an authentic and fresh way.
It's much more difficult to establish strong, loyal audiences on RTÉ2 so big concepts that can make a lot of noise on social media can work as can really solid story-telling. RTÉ2 is always on the hunt for original and entertaining takes on a wide range of subjects like sex, dating, weddings, work, physical challenge, travel and relationships.
Hour-long and 40 minute slots allow more depth to stories and offer opportunities to deliver substantial and credible transformations. RTÉ2 would be interested in strong formats, either indigenous or bought in, with equally strong expert talent attached. They need another layer of engagement that brings in the general viewer and most of all we need big charismatic leads, in either the presenter or cast.
Please submit your ideas into the eCommissioning system under the programme category “Factual - Popular Factual & Factual Entertainment - RTÉ2 Tuesday & Thursday Post Watershed."
Closing Date for submissions, 31st March at 12 noon (Strict Deadline)
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RTÉ DRAMA
RTÉ is looking for original drama with variety in tone and attitude that will both entertain and open up a view of contemporary life. RTÉ Drama needs to have broad popular appeal for Irish viewers first and foremost. They must be Irish stories. But Irish stories, of course, happen in the diaspora too, so an Irish setting isn’t essential.
All RTÉ One commissioned drama is currently post-watershed. Returnability of a show is something to be considered at an early stage while acknowledging that some stories, particularly those drawing on real life events, will not extend beyond one serial event. RTÉ actively develops projects that will meet the objectives of the various funding bodies on the Island of Ireland: BAI Sound and Vision Fund, Screen Ireland, the WRAP fund, Northern Ireland Screen as well as projects that are suited to international co-funding, pre-sales and co-production.
If helpful, RTÉ will work closely with producers in attaching financing partners. Co-production and co-financing is a high priority for RTÉ and they suggest producers talk to RTÉ early about projects they have in mind. But having said that, any non-Irish elements in a story to satisfy an international co-production partner, need to be there organically.
Should you wish to submit an idea for development investment you will need to register and submit on RTÉ's e-commissioning. Drama staff members are available to discuss ideas in advance of formal submission. A brief pitch from the writer and producer is useful at an early stage.
Some key points to keep in mind when submitting ideas to RTÉ Drama:
- All submissions need to be submitted by an independent production company and / or individuals or partnerships with previous production related experience;
- Keep pitches concise. Make sure that they are well thought through and have a considered point and purpose;
- Avoid following trends or mimicking what others have done; RTÉ always looks for something we haven't seen before;
- RTÉ is not actively seeking period drama at the moment. Their audiences are responding more to drama with contemporaneous resonance, whether set in the present or not – stories that capture the essence of modern Ireland and what it’s like to be living in Ireland today;
- Co-production and co-financing are a high priority - be prepared to discuss financing options when you pitch though we don’t expect you to have a fixed plan.
Storyland
Access to the heart of RTÉ Drama for new writers, producers and directors is essential to what RTÉ does and in this respect they encourage producers and writers at the beginning of their careers to engage with Storyland. Storyland is an on-line drama commission specifically designed by RTÉ and Northern Ireland Screen to nurture producers, writers, directors, cast and HODs with a particular emphasis on their creative and entrepreneurial skillset. Information on the next round of StoryLand will be broadly circulated and available on rte.ie
RTÉ One
6 x 52’s for Sunday, Monday or Wednesday 21:30 slots. Dramas for RTÉ One must have broad appeal and drama for these slots are all post-watershed. Sunday night dramas speak to the nation and should provoke, challenge and entertain: TV for drama lovers of all ages. Eg. Love/Hate, Rebellion, Singlehanded.
Sunday night on RTÉ One is also a home for big national statement pieces: Drama that tells stories about contemporary Ireland and who were are in a way that documentary and current affairs can’t. Two, Three or Four parters along the lines of WHISTLEBLOWER or NO TEARS – drama with a social purpose. Ideally, the topics or events they deal with should no longer be in the press.
Sunday night on RTÉ One has also been a base for light hearted entertainment drama like Raw or Striking Out. These are dramas that provide a little cheerful relief from the real world, drama to brighten up a cold winter.
RTÉ2
Longer-running scripted formats that skew younger than for RTÉ One. Series must be distinctive and differentiate from RTÉ One drama in the first instance. RTÉ2 is actively seeking cost-effective series which will be a vehicle for younger talent on either side of the camera as well as appealing to their peers. These shows can be for 60’ or 30’ slots.
RTÉ Player
This is a hub of innovation and originality. Original drama on the Player can take risks; it’s less under the microscope so it’s where drama can break out and find an audience without the pressure of Sunday nights on RTÉ One. Drama on the Player is for 16-24s.