Factual

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

We’re commissioning original content designed specifically for YouTube. Our ambition is to build distinctive public service brands that reach younger audiences where they already spend their time, while introducing new audiences to BBC content.

BBC Scotland are currently looking to commission up to 10 deepwatch YouTube first documentaries a year. 

Developing ideas for YouTube

We're looking for ideas that are conceived for YouTube from day one, with a clear sense of the 16-24 year-old audience they’re for and why that audience would choose to watch. The strongest proposals will combine:

• a compelling premise, with a title and thumbnail that work together to ‘earn the click’

• a simple mission or central question, with escalating stakes, visible progress and a satisfying viewer pay-off

• contributors, presenters or creators with authentic access and genuine relevance to the target audience on YouTube

• evidence of audience appetite, informed by viewing behaviour and high-performing examples on YouTube, with a clear and original treatment

• stories built around people rather than issues alone

• formats or films that can build communities around shared interests

• distinctive BBC public-service storytelling delivered in a way that feels native to YouTube

Read the full brief on the BBC Commissioning website

Steve Allen

Steve has worked in broadcast television for over twenty years as a self-shooting producer director, undercover journalist, and producer.

Since moving into commissioning Steve has worked as a co commissioner on series including Race Against The Tide, Designing The Hebrides, Repair Shop On The Road, Martin Compston’s Scottish Fling and as Commissioner on series such as Banjo & Ro's Grand Island Hotel, The Agency Unfiltered, Scotland’s Home Of The Year and Cumming To The Cabaret.

Prior to working as a commissioning Executive, Steve made Specialist Factual and Current Affairs content for the BBC, BBC World Service, ITV, Channel 4, Five, National Geographic, and Sky. As an Undercover / Broadcast Journalist, Self-Shooting Producer Director, and Edit Producer his credits include, Prison Undercover, My Neighbour The Rapist, Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons, Highland Emergency, Drugs Inc and Air Ambulance ER.