Gaelic language commissioning
BBC ALBA seeks to commission Gaelic content for audiences that is authentic, meaningful, and relatable. We are ambitious and outward-looking, determined to showcase our language and culture to a wider audience. We’re looking for proposals for impactful programmes that can win audiences of all ages, as well as creative ideas that can achieve critical recognition.
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY: FACTUAL
1. DOCUMENTARY STRAND
- Series Brand, DÒCHAS: (HOPE)
- Duration: 30, 45 mins
- Slot: 8.30, 9pm
In an uncertain and divided world, where do we find hope?
BBC ALBA is looking for bold, contemporary and inspiring documentaries under the umbrella theme of Dòchas (Hope). A suite of films, from different companies, exploring the people, places, passions and unexpected moments giving reasons to believe in a better tomorrow. Forget nostalgia and sentimentality, this is Hope with its sleeves rolled up. We’re looking for distinctive, audience-grabbing ideas with the potential to engage a wide demographic across BBC ALBA’s platforms, including linear, iPlayer and YouTube, supported by bespoke digital content.
Tariff: up to £40k per 30-minutes
Delivery: By April 2027
NB: Companies are welcome to pitch for more than one film.
2. DOCUMENTARY SINGLE FILMS
- Duration: 60, 75, 90 mins
- Slot: 9.00, 10.00pm
BBC ALBA is looking for the stories that cut through the listings, stops the scroll, and gets everyone talking.
We invite ideas for bold, innovative one-off, hour-long documentaries with the ability to grip audiences, ignite conversations and keep everyone talking long after the credits roll. Share your extraordinary stories, introduce us to unforgettable characters and feel free to frame them in a fresh and fearless way. Scotland is bursting with stories, incredible characters and brilliant production talent. We want to commission documentaries that surprise us, move us, challenge us or change the way we see our world.
Tariff: up to £80k per hour
Delivery: June 2027
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY: FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT
3. FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT
- Series with potential to be returnable
- Duration: 6 / 8 x 30 mins
- Slot: 8.30, 9.00, 10.00pm
BBC ALBA is looking for Fact Ent formatted series that tap into Scotland’s DNA and zeitgeist moments to create talk-about TV across Scotland and beyond. We want big ideas, engaging talent and a winning mix of real life and entertainment, with broad, family appeal, with the potential to run and run. A repeatable, recognisable series that builds a loyal audience, becomes a loved brand and acts as a shop window for BBC ALBA across linear, iPlayer, YouTube and digital platforms. Think entertaining, relatable and built to last.
Pitches should consider co-commission potential with Ireland and Wales.
Tariff: up to £240k for 6 × 30-min episodes, including bespoke digital assets.
Delivery: June 2027
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY: VODCASTS
4. VODCASTS (VIDEO PODCASTS)
- Series
- Duration: Various, according to subject matter
- Platform: YouTube, iPlayer, BBC Sounds
BBC ALBA is looking for bold, colourful and seriously engaging new series of Vodcasts made for audiences who are watching, sharing and talking online.
We are looking for vodcasts with personality, pace, attitude and something to say. This is not television squeezed onto a phone. We want content that feels born for digital, visually inventive, energetic, funny, topical and impossible to scroll past. Think big conversations. Strong opinions. Unexpected guests. Brilliant characters. Culture. Music. Sport. Relationships. Identity. The stuff people are talking about.
Make us laugh. Make us argue. Make us think. Make us hit share.
Tariff: according to subject matter and duration
Delivery: by April 2027
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY: INTERSTITIALS / IDENTS
5. BBC ALBA IN FIVE
We want BBC ALBA to be unmissable, on screen, on your feed and out in the world!
We’re calling for a suite of minimum 20 x 20/30 second brilliantly visual, diverse idents built around one killer question: “BBC ALBA in Five!”.
Think attitude, humour, colour, personality and a healthy dose of irreverence. Punchy, artistically shot mini-films that pop up between programmes on linear, iPlayer and explode across TikTok/Instagram/YouTube. Festive / seasonal content considered.
Make BBC ALBA impossible to ignore!
NB: This call out will be awarded to one company only to ensure creative continuity.
Tariff: £20k
Delivery: By April 2027
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY: YOUTUBE FORMATS
6. YOUTUBE FORMATS
- Duration: Series x various durations from 8 – 25 mins
- Platform: YouTube, iPlayer
BBC ALBA seeks bold, entertaining and shareable ideas for YouTube formats aimed at 18-24 year-olds.
From talent-led factual formats, in the style of Somhairle Spins, to youth-focussed observational documentaries, like BBC Scotland’s The Bubble, BBC ALBA are looking for ideas with standout personalities, compelling stories and genuine appeal for young people.
We want contributors, presenters and creators with authentic access to the worlds young people care about. Bring us stories driven by people rather than issues alone, informed by audience appetite and viewing behaviour on YouTube, but delivered through an original, Gaelic lens.
We’re looking for bold, colourful, distinctive storytelling that creates conversation, builds communities around shared interests and feels native to YouTube.
Earn the click. Make us stay. Make us hit share.
Successful proposals will combine:
-Simple premise, Title + Thumbnail designed to ‘Earn the click’
-An opening beat that delivers on the promise quickly, actively engages audience throughout, and builds to a satisfying payoff.
-Episodes should be formatted to stand alone, as well as within series.
Tarriff: according to series treatment
For those who are new to developing for YouTube, we recommend watching this ‘Best Practice’ video
ADDITONAL INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE
CO-FUNDING
Additional funding sources are available, such as:
• Creative Scotland's Broadcast Content Fund
• Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification)
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SUBMISSION PROCESS
Please follow this two-step process for submitting your ideas:
1. A form which all producers must complete when submitting ideas. The form is found here: BBC ALBA COMMISSIONING SUBMISSIONS - WINTER 2026/27 CALLOUT
2. In addition, an editorial pitch document should also be submitted to: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk
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DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline for ideas: Monday 9th November 2026 at 5pm.
The Commissioning Team will discuss each idea received in detail and shortlist the most compelling and suitable ideas for this round.
Meetings will be scheduled with producers of shortlisted projects. This will be an opportunity to explore the ideas in greater depth.
We aim to share final commissioning decisions by Friday 27th Nov 2026.
Idea submissions, forms and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Claire MacDonald and Jennifer MacKenzie at: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk
A NEW GAELIC FEATURE FILM DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
BBC ALBA and MG ALBA in partnership with Screen Scotland and BBC Film announce a call-out for Gaelic-language feature film ideas.
The global success of award-winning Irish-language features such as Arracht, An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap has been an inspiration for filmmakers working in minority languages. At the same time internationally garlanded films like The Outrun, Aftersun and this year's EIFF opening film The Incomer have demonstrated the imaginative power of cinema in, and from, Scotland. We want to emulate that success and begin the process of developing Gaelic projects for the big screen.
Ambition
We are inviting Gaelic story-tellers with unique perspectives to connect with cinema audiences at home and abroad, to make a lasting popular and critical impact, and to showcase the dramatic power of Gaelic culture at screen festivals around the globe.
Talent
We're eager to work with the very best creative talent working in the Gaelic language. This call-out is open to writers with experience writing for the screen, stage or other narrative forms. We also welcome applications from producer/writer partnerships.
Language
We are not looking for translated work, or work that has been originated in English and repurposed for this call-out. Cultural and linguistic authenticity are crucial for us. Dialogue should be predominantly in Gaelic. However, we will consider a proportion of other languages (Including English) up to around 20%.
Adaptation
We welcome literary adaptations if the rights to the original work are available. If adapting non Gaelic material, applicants will be asked to show how a Gaelic voice and imagination will radically suffuse and transform the original.
Genre
We're particularly excited to platform Gaelic voices and stories in contemporary settings. This is an opportunity for writers to explore themes in a more personal and unconventional way than might be possible in more traditional genres. Period stories are eligible if they have a sense of resonance and urgency, and are conceived on a practical scale for an independent feature film.
Budget
This is a call-out for feature ideas potentially achievable on a budget of between £1.5m and £2m.
Although this call-out is for early-stage development we would like to see ideas or projects which have credible co-finance potential with other funding partners such as other broadcasters, screen agencies and distributors.
The offer
• Early stage development funding (paid development support including a first draft and set of revisions).
• Creative feedback and support from Screen Scotland, BBC Film, and MG ALBA executives and wider industry experts
• A pathway to further development and potential production through the participating partners.
SUBMISSIONS
Who can submit
We will accept applications from Gaelic writers or writing partnerships. We are also open to submissions from writer/producer teams.
What to submit
• Story Outline (1000 words max).
• CV summary or short biography.
• Examples of previous work to view or read.
• A mood board or other supporting visuals (Optional).
• A note of any specific access or communication needs.
• Outlines should be submitted in Gaelic with English translation.
• If the idea is an adaptation of a literary work, confirm that the rights are available.
• Ideas generated with AI are not admissible.
Where to submit
bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk by 5pm on 19th October 2026
The selection panel will be made up of representatives from MG ALBA, BBC ALBA, Screen Scotland and BBC Film. They may follow up with a meeting to discuss projects.
The panel will make a decision by 16th November 2026 on which successful projects will progress to paid development.
Feedback to all applicants will be provided after that date.
If writers are successful in applying for feature-film development (ie not in partnership with a producer) we will seek to foster a relationship with experienced production talent.
For more information on this development call-out, please get in touch with Bill Macleod
BBC ALBA FACTUAL COMMISSIONING ROUND SUMMER 2026/27
BBC ALBA is committed to creating content for Gaelic audiences that is authentic, meaningful, and relatable. We are ambitious and outward-looking, determined to showcase our language and culture to a wider audience. We’re looking for proposals for impactful factual programmes that can win a wide audience, as well as creative ideas that can achieve critical recognition for the channel.
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY: Factual
• We are looking for high-impact factual content with compelling characters and contemporary stories.
• We are keen to see proposals which already have other funders/broadcasters attached.
• In this round we are not prioritizing:
- general historical subjects
- factual entertainment
- music performance
• We intend to publish future commissioning rounds for other genres.
SCHEDULE PRIORITIES
• This round is primarily for content delivering to BBC ALBA in winter 2026/27.
• We are looking for distinctive, eye-catching peak-time content for the 9pm slot on linear but which will also make an impact on iPlayer.
FORMATS AND DURATIONS
• We will consider single programmes and short series.
• We can take a flexible approach to durations.
• We will consider ambitious feature-length single documentaries that have a cinematic/festival life cycle before appearing on BBC ALBA. Feature documentaries should have co-funding attached or a credible co-funding finance plan in place.
CO-FUNDING
Priority will be given to ideas that take into consideration further funding such as, but not limited to:
• Creative Scotland's Broadcast Content Fund
https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/screen
• Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification)
https://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/british-certification-tax-relief
• BFI UK Global Screen Fund
SUBMISSION PROCESS:
We are using a new accompanying form which all producers must complete when submitting ideas. You’ll find the form by following this link: BBC ALBA FACTUAL COMMISSIONING ROUND SUMMER 2026/27 – Fill in form
This is in addition to the editorial pitch document which should also be submitted to bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk
DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline for ideas: Friday 22nd May 2026 at 5pm.
The Commissioning Team will discuss each idea received in detail and shortlist the most compelling and suitable ideas for this round.
Meetings will be scheduled with producers of shortlisted projects. This will be an opportunity to explore the ideas in greater depth.
We aim to share final commissioning decisions by Friday 26th June 2026.
Idea submissions, forms and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Claire MacDonald and Jennifer MacKenzie at: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk
BBC ALBA DIGITAL COMMISSIONING, SUMMER 2026
NEW GAELIC-LANGUAGE DIGITAL-FIRST OPPORTUNITY
BBC ALBA is looking for ideas for new digital first factual and factual entertainment series aimed at younger audiences (18–24), designed primarily for YouTube and BBC iPlayer.
With more choice than ever, it’s vital that this content stands out on digital platforms. Ideas should feel timely, contemporary and distinctive in subject, style and tone, and be clearly presented from a young point of view.
Ideas should feel rooted in lived experience and reflect how young Gaels experience life today - across rural, urban and diaspora contexts.
We are looking to commission short form series, with episodes typically 8–15 minutes, custom built for BBC ALBA YouTube and BBC iPlayer.
Think returnable, hooky formats with a clear reason for audiences to come back. Tone should be fast paced, colourful and confident, with warmth, wit and personality at the centre (think previous series, such as Somhairle Spins, Rudan Beaga Bòidheach le Niamh Mackinnon).
We are particularly interested in talent led series, ideally fronted by Gaelic speaking creators, with an existing online presence among young audiences.
We are committed to developing Gaelic speaking talent on and off screen, and cultural and linguistic authenticity is essential. Gaelic should feel natural, confident and contemporary, not ornamental. There is an expectation that key roles will be crewed with Gaelic speakers where possible.
IDEAS
We are open to a broad range of topics, but we are particularly interested in ideas that deliver clear audience value and encourage participation, conversation or connection. Ideas could fall into one or more of the below categories:
• Joy & Escapism
Formats that are fun, colourful and allow young audiences to ‘switch off’.
• Lived experience & identity
Stories rooted in everyday life, humour, relationships and personal experience - reflecting how young people navigate language, culture, work, creativity and belonging today.
• Learning, curiosity & “geek out” moments
Accessible, entertaining ideas that allow audiences to discover something new - skills, worlds, subcultures or perspectives, through a playful, personality driven lens.
• Community & connection
Content that invites participation, conversation or social spin off, encouraging audiences to comment, share and see themselves reflected.
• Coming of age / navigating adulthood
Observational or talent led storytelling that explores how young people are navigating life - including work, money, identity or creativity - grounded in lived experience and told with warmth, humour and insight.
We are not looking for traditional TV formats or production models. Successful ideas will be achievable within digital first budgets, have a strong visual style and offer multi-platform assets for content to live across BBC ALBA platforms.
Gaelic should be the predominant on screen language, however, we will consider mixed language formats.
FUNDING
Expected tariff will be circa £1k per minute and we would expect producers to tailor their editorial ambitions to reflect this, or work with additional funders, such as Creative Scotland's Broadcast Content Fund to increase the overall production budget: https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/screen.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
We are using a new accompanying form which all producers must complete when submitting ideas, here is a link.
This is in addition to the editorial pitch document which should also be submitted to bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk
DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline for ideas: Friday 22nd May 2026 at 5pm.
The Commissioning Team will discuss each idea received in detail and shortlist the most compelling and suitable ideas for this round.
Meetings will be scheduled with producers of shortlisted projects. This will be an opportunity to explore the ideas in greater depth.
We aim to share final commissioning decisions by Friday 26th June 2026.
Idea submissions, forms and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Claire MacDonald and Jennifer MacKenzie at: bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk
Who we are
- Head of Gaelic Services & Inclusion: Margaret Mary Murray
- Director of Content Additionality: Margaret Cameron
- Commissioning Editor: Bill MacLeod
- Commissioning Executive: Fiona MacKenzie
- Commissioning Executive: Calum McConnell