Channel 5's Production Process

Submitting your idea

The commissioning teams section of this website will give you pointers as to what the Channel is currently looking for, which Commissioner is responsible for which areas of our output, and to who you should submit your idea.

Send us a clear, simply worded proposal via email - a couple of sides of A4 will normally be enough for us to gauge our interest. A catchy title always helps. You can send your idea via email or post, although we do prefer email format.

Channel 5 is a publisher broadcaster and works with independent companies to produce its programmes. As such, we can usually only accept programme proposals from independent production companies.

Development

If your idea is one we're interested in, then the relevant Commissioning Editor will arrange a meeting to discuss it further.  At this stage we might want you to develop a more detailed treatment, film some taster material, explore possible commercial and interactive opportunities, and consider any appeal to our non-terrestrial channels FIVER and Five USA.  Once both the controller and the Director of Programmes are happy with the worked-up editorial, then we will move towards a commission.

Approval

At this stage you will need to fill out an editorial specification, submit a detailed budget and agree primary and secondary rights with our Business Affairs department.  The price Channel 5 will pay for a project is governed by our genre tariffs, and rights issues are adressed in our standard PACT agreement.  Next, the project's agreed editorial, budget and rights are detailed on the Commissioning form which is submitted to our Programme Finance Committee for final approval.  Only after PFC approval and the signing of contracts, can actual production begin.

Production

The Commissioning Editor will work closely with you throughout production to ensure that the best possible programme or series results.  We would expect to be involved in key editorial decisions involving talent, programme structure and style.  The press and marketing opportunities for the programme will be explored during this period.  Once editing begins, the Commissioner will attend viewings and sign-off the finished programme.

Delivery & Transmission

The completed programme needs to adhere to the various technical guidelines outlined in our Presentation Specification document.  Once delivered, the programme will be checked by our technical department and then...transmission.  Your programme goes live on Channel 5.