RTÉ is seeking proposals for TG4 under the category “Cláracha Gaeilge – Family Entertainment Series”, to be broadcast throughout 2019 - 2021.
The national broadcaster is looking for new, original ideas or proven formats that will attract and entertain a broad family audience on a Sunday evening slot and can be pre-recorded in a studio or an alternative venue.
Transmission Slot: TG4, Sunday 20:30 (repeat Wednesday 19:30)
No. of Episodes: 2019: 35 hours (to begin TX June 2019)
2020: 45 hours (to begin TX Jan 2020)
2021: 45 hours (to begin TX Jan 2021)
Programme Duration: 50 minutes
Budget: €35k per hour
Tender: 3 years (2019/2020/2021)
The series proposed should be engaging and entertaining for a family audience in Ireland in 2019 as they relax on a Sunday evening. The proposed series could be a reality, talent, panel, music or competition-based show and should incorporate a mix of elements such as humour, performance, competition, jeopardy, interactivity, tension and technology to ensure a high level of entertainment. It should be noted that quizzes or formats that are dialogue heavy do not tend to work well with subtitles, so submissions are asked to consider the effect of language and subtitling on any idea submitted.
Approximately 4 series each year will be commissioned for this slot that will appeal to both a core and national audiences - Entertainment with a distinctly Irish flavour and ‘súil eile’ to sit within the TG4 programme schedule. Successful submissions may be awarded the full complement of hours of this 3 year tender (subject to an annual performance review), whether produced by one production company or split between two or more companies depending on the quality and range of ideas and production models proposed.
The 45 hours per year will be broken down into 4 series tentatively as follows:
Summer 2019: 10 x 50
Autumn 2019: 13 x 50
Winter 2019/20: 12 x 50
Spring 2020: 10 x 50
The following elements should be incorporated into any proposal:
- Strong presenter/on-screen talent should be a key component of any ideas pitched. An identified target audience for each series idea submitted as per TG4’s twin-pole strategy.
- Development and execution of a digital/content marketing strategy to ensure audience engagement and subtitling and social media content needs to be included in the production budget.
- Programmes must be shot and delivered in HD.
- Production companies may choose to use studios, venues or black box locations nationwide as befits the idea and production model
- Proposed Production companies must illustrate their capacity and track record in producing and delivering high quality Irish language programming and how they will build a strong Irish language production team to deliver this tender. Cost effective proposals will be a factor in final decisions.
The closing date for receipt of submissions by RTÉ is 5.00 pm on Monday 11th February, 2019.