BAI SOUND & VISION ROUND 49

Building on the success of original Fact Ent formats such as Eating with the Enemy and Lucy Investigates, along with powerful Factual Series such as Stories from the Street, and high-end drama, such as Redemption, we are looking for gripping, brave and entertaining programming with broad appeal. Proposals of particular interest will have an innovative and cutting-edge twist and capture a diverse, contemporary Ireland through a lens that has not yet been seen. We want great Irish stories to be told all over the world!

 

Originated Irish drama series continue to be channel defining and a priority for VMTV, and submissions are invited on a rolling basis. Contemporary, urban, youth skewing, authentic and thriller-based stories are of particular interest. International potential is a requirement. We are looking for multi-part drama series only at this time. VMTV will work closely with producers in attaching international partners but a track record in financing high-end Drama is of advantage.

VMTV wants to champion original Irish formats. Building on the success of Fact-Ent formats such Eating with the Enemy and The Clinic for Well People, VMTV is looking for noisy, returnable series that take a contemporary and fresh approach to reflecting Irish culture, heritage and experience. Comedy will also be considered. We are open to talent suggestions, whether they are well known or dynamic new faces with something interesting to say.

 

Also of particular interest are high-impact factual series; gripping must-be-told stories that provoke, challenge and entertain viewers. We’re not afraid of difficult topics but our hardest-hitting shows still have room for hope and optimism. We are very interested in unique access opportunities which highlight places, people and organisations that are fixtures of Irish life and open doors into unseen worlds. We are not looking for one-off/ feature length documentaries at this time.

 

Target demographic for all genres is 15-45s. All series must have broad appeal and perform well in a post-watershed peak slot on Virgin Media One or Virgin Media Two, some earlier evening weekend slots are also an option. We are particularly interested in projects that take a ‘digital first’ approach and present innovative and creative opportunities to engage a wider audience across platforms.

For those submitting ideas, a track record of great casting and confident storytelling is essential. Virgin Media Television submissions must meet the criteria as set out in the Virgin Media Television Commissioning Guidelines.

 

Submission Details:

 

• All applications should be submitted through the Commissioning Portal. 

 

• PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for submissions regarding Round 49 of the BAI Sound & Vision Fund for Virgin Media Television is Friday 28th April 2023.

 

• All submissions must include a one page programme proposal, full production budget and finance plan. Sizzles, episode outlines, scripts           are beneficial and will strengthen applications.

 

• Virgin Media Television is currently inviting submissions from Production Companies or Producers with a proven track record only at this time. If you are not a producer or submitting through a production company, and have a general query, feel free to contact vmtvinfo@virginmedia.ie