91¸£ÀûÉç

Commissioning decisions are made on a rolling basis and through specific tenders and invitations to pitch. 

All submissions should be sent to us via .

What we do

91¸£ÀûÉç Cymru Wales commissioning team are at the forefront of the development and decision making process for drama, comedy and factual content on television and iPlayer. We commission the very best storytellers to do their very best work, portraying Wales as it is in all its forms with the intention of creating content to educate, inspire and entertain the whole of the UK. 

Current Opportunities

Commissioning Opportunity: The Format Fund

91¸£ÀûÉç Wales is launching The Format Fund, a new development initiative focused on bold, original factual entertainment pilots designed specifically for YouTube-first audiences reaching 16-24 year olds. The fund will support five independent production companies, each receiving £7,000 to create and develop an original pilot for digital platforms.

This initiative is designed to encourage creative risk-taking, to explore what the next generation of factual entertainment formats can look like in a digital-first landscape.

Rather than traditional television production models, we are seeking ideas that embrace YouTube-native storytelling with clear, engaging concepts, strong pacing, and visuals that immediately capture attention. Projects should be conceived with agility in mind: small teams, simple setups, and smart, platform-focused execution are key.

The Opportunity

The Format Fund offers more than just pilot funding- it’s a chance for ideas to move beyond pilot stage and into full commission. Successful concepts will have the opportunity to be developed further with 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales, with the potential to scale into returning series for digital platforms and beyond.

This is a space to experiment, test new ideas, and create formats that can cut through in a crowded online landscape. We are looking for projects with real ambition and ideas that feel native to YouTube but could grow into something much bigger.

The Editorial Ask

We are looking for factual entertainment formats with strong, repeatable mechanics that can sustain multiple episodes and build an audience over time. Ideas should be immediately understandable, with a clear hook that can be communicated through a title or thumbnail and should place visual storytelling at their core.

Projects should demonstrate a clear understanding of YouTube audiences, how they discover, engage with, and share content. We are particularly interested in formats that can spark conversation, encourage participation, and generate debate.

We are open to a wide range of approaches within factual entertainment, including formats that encourage

Dialogue and Debate

Curiosity and Understanding

Social experiments / challenge formats

Relationship and identity-led formats

Personality-led factual entertainment

Innovative studio or location-based concepts

Ultimately, we are looking for fresh, YouTube native ideas that have real, scalable potential.

Development Funding and Deliverables

Each selected production company will receive £7,000 in development funding, along with editorial support and feedback throughout the production process.

As part of the delivery, companies will be expected to produce a pilot episode, a thumbnail, and a supporting deck outlining the format. Final deliverables and timelines will be agreed with the selected companies.

How to Apply

The deadline for applications is midnight on the 3rd of July, and successful companies will be notified the w/c 20th of July.

The 91¸£ÀûÉç is committed to accessibility and inclusion. If you require reasonable adjustments or support throughout the application process, please let us know and we will work with you to accommodate your access requirements.

Applications should be submitted via PiCoS through the Wales / TV Nations area, selecting YouTube as the genre and Karen Lyons as commissioner.

If you do not already have a 91¸£ÀûÉç PiCoS account, please email us outlining how your experience meets our eligibility criteria above to be granted access.

Terms

To qualify, companies will need to have an existing substantive base, as per the Ofcom definition (pdf), in Wales. They will also need to demonstrate experience producing digital-first content for younger audiences, including understanding of the YouTube platform and production.

All content produced might also be published across iPlayer, and must align with 91¸£ÀûÉç standard commissioning and delivery requirements.

The commission will be contracted on the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s digital terms.

Submissions from supplier partnerships are welcome. In the case of a partnership, one supplier must be designated as the lead partner.

The 91¸£ÀûÉç reserves the right at any time prior to commissioning, and without incurring any liability to the affected suppliers, to accept or reject any proposal, or to annul the process, rejecting all proposals, without incurring any liability to any of the affected parties.

All costs incurred directly or indirectly in responding to this brief will be borne solely by the producers.

Proposals must remain open for acceptance for 180 days from the award.

The offering of inducement of any kind in relation to obtaining this or any other contract with the 91¸£ÀûÉç will automatically disqualify a producer and may constitute a criminal offence.

The producer warrants that the concepts and ideas submitted as part of the proposal (in whole or in part) do not infringe any third parties’ rights and agrees to indemnify the 91¸£ÀûÉç against any and all claims resulting from the use of these concepts and ideas.

The 91¸£ÀûÉç reserves the right to perform any appropriate due diligence (including but not limited to health and safety assessments and/or or financial due diligence) at any stage of this commissioning process prior to the award of a final contract. The producer will provide all assistance required in order to achieve this.

Who we are

Nick Andrews

Nick leads 91¸£ÀûÉç Cymru Wales commissioning across television & iPlayer in scripted and unscripted. 

His recent scripted commissions include hit dramas Wolf, Steeltown Murders, Men Up and Lost Boy’s & Fairies and feature film Mr Burton. In unscripted premium boxsets Paranormal, Hunting Mr Nice & feature documentary Helmand: Frontline Story. He has also been responsible for launching 91¸£ÀûÉç Cymru Wales comedy strategy green-lighting situational comedies In My Skin, Mammoth, Death Valley and the Golden Cobra. 

Julian Carey

Julian is a Commissioning Editor and responsible for a wide range of content including series like A Killing In Tiger Bay, Slammed, Wonders of the Celtic Deep, Valley Cops and Back In Time for The Factory as well as single documentaries like Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me, Heroes of Helmandand The Merthyr Mermaid.

He has a long career in production as an award winning radio and television producer. He returned to the 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales in 2016 after working in development and production in the indie sector and making series for a number of broadcasters as well as the 91¸£ÀûÉç.

Sian Harris

Sian oversees an array of factual series and singles for 91¸£ÀûÉç One Wales and iPlayer and is co-execing several upcoming network co-commissions including 91¸£ÀûÉç Three/91¸£ÀûÉç Wales series Hot Cakes. She’s always seeking the best, fresh new ideas with big audience appeal and covers content from documentaries to popular factual and fact ent. Recent commissions include the triple BAFTA Cymru nominated Black and Welsh, Lily: A Transgender Story and successful rig show The Wedding Dress Shop. She’s passionate about younger-skewing content as well as championing new talent and runs the 91¸£ÀûÉç Cymru Wales New Documentary Directors’ Initiative. 

Paul Forde

Paul is responsible for the development and production of all comedy on 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales. Throughout a long career in TV and radio he has been a vocal supporter and champion of Welsh comedy. 

He was Commissioning Editor for returning brands The Tuckers on 91¸£ÀûÉç One Wales and In My Skin on 91¸£ÀûÉç3. Recently he has overseen the production of a raft of network co-commissions including Death Valley (91¸£ÀûÉç1), Mammoth (91¸£ÀûÉç2) and The Golden Cobra (91¸£ÀûÉç3).   

Paul is happy to receive unsolicited scripts and pitches and is particularly interested in working with Welsh Indies who would like to specialise in comedy. 

Sorelle Neil

Sorelle joins the commissioning team after twenty years working on a wide variety of shows- her latest credit was producing 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales’s landmark documentary A Killing in Tiger Bay for 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales & 91¸£ÀûÉç2.

A qualified journalist, she began her career in television news before moving onto the One Show and currently oversees a wide variety of 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales’ key returning strands including Weatherman Walking & X-Ray.

Karen Lyons

Karen leads talent development for 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales across all our television, audio and social platforms. She is passionate about finding the next generation of onscreen faces and continuing to develop our existing talent so they can flourish.

She is a qualified journalist and joins the commissioning team after more than 10 years working in production and development on a wide variety of programmes including the One Show, Crimewatch Roadshow and Amy Dowden: Body Shaming & Me.

Nicola Cook

Nicola co-ordinates many of our Commissioning processes, working closely with the team, and independent companies. She also works on areas such as sustainability and diversity, and programme compliance. She is responsible for looking after ideas submissions to 91¸£ÀûÉç Wales, and also the running of all commissioning opportunities.   

Amy Behan

Amy plays a key role in managing team operations, working closely with the commissioning team to keep processes running smoothly. She maintains strong relationships with independent production companies across Wales, organises events, and coordinates awards for ELTV at 91¸£ÀûÉç Cymru Wales.

How to get in touch

For general queries contact commissioningwales@bbc.co.uk

or write to us at The Commissioning Team, 91¸£ÀûÉç Cymru Wales, 3 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FS

Submissions

All submissions should be sent to us via .

For independent producers without a PiCoS account please contact a Commissioning Editor first to discuss your idea.

Please note -  Individuals and members of the public cannot use PiCoS. Please visit the skills and training area to find out how you can work with us and grow your career in television.

Drama
Please note that we are unable to accept unsolicited drama scripts/book submissions unless they come from represented writers (via an agent) or from independent production companies. If you are an unrepresented writer submit via the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s Writersroom or make contact with an independent production company.Many of these independent companies are members of PACT or TAC - industry bodies representing the independent sector. They will be able to provide contact information for your chosen companies if necessary.

Comedy
We are primarily looking for scripted comedies from Welsh writers that tell a Welsh story and are rooted in Wales with wide appeal to a UK audience both in and outside Wales. We DO accept unsolicited scripts from individual writers, agents or production companies. At the moment we are not looking for sketch or panel show formats.