[press release from UK TV}
BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia today announces a major programming initiative to showcase Australian children’s content on its flagship children’s channel CBeebies.
Local producers are invited to submit ideas for a 6 – 8 hour series to be broadcast on CBeebies in Australia and the UK, as well as on CBeebies’ other channels around the world (in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Poland, Africa, Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market).
CBeebies is looking for an upbeat, humorous television series that will bridge the gap between four and six year olds, an age group that actively seeks out exaggeration and physical comedy, and loves the unexpected. The successful pitch would appeal to both boys and girls, and should feel physically rooted in the real world. A budget of $150,000 – $250,000 per programming hour is available.
““This initiative is an excellent opportunity for Australia’s incredible production talent to showcase their work locally and internationally,” said Brendan Dahill, Director of Television, BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia
“CBeebies is still in its infancy in Australia, having only recently launched in November 2008. Commissioning local content is a fundamental step to delivering unique, compelling and engaging television for our young Aussie viewers that reflects their world and supports the programming we have acquired from the BBC and other producers.”
The initiative is a partnership between BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia and CBeebies, the UK’s free-to-air BBC pre-school channel.
Michael Carrington, Controller, CBeebies, said: “I’m very excited about the opportunity to commission our first production specifically for Australia. Creating distinctive, high quality and original programmes has been key to the success of CBeebies in the UK, and now that the channel is rolling out internationally commissioning local content will help us to be even more relevant to our viewers. We’ve had a long relationship with the production community in Australia and it’s fantastic that our first local commission for CBeebies will come from this vibrant market.”
Producers will be asked to explain their full programme proposal in 500 words maximum.
A full commissioning brief and submission guidelines are available at http://australia.cbeebies.com