The BBC is inviting independent producers to produce the links for CBeebies and CBBC.
The contract worth up to £1.8m a year, over 2 years, is open to producers with an “existing substantive base” outside of London.
Starting in May 2025, the BBC stated that studio production would continue at MediaCity’s dock10 “for the first 12 months of the contract.”
The production company will need to deliver:
- 1,440 x 1 minute links each year for CBeebies;
- 420 x 1 minute links a year for CBBC;
- 2 x 14 minutes per year on CBeebies House Specials;
- 240 minutes digital content across both channels each year
- and also possible “bespoke brand extension content.”
The contract is worth between £1.6m and £1.8m per year and the channels would be seeking to retain the current presenter line-up.
As well as studio production at dock10, the BBC is also looking at hybrid virtual reality presentation and was open to “gentle evolution”:
“Whilst we are open to hearing about fresh approaches and creative vision, we are not looking to start again,” it states.
“We’d like the tone, look and feel of the new content to feel familiar to the audience who like reassurance and consistency.”
The winning independent producer is expected to be announced in February 2024.
The BBC has put a number of high profile shows out to tender as part of its Charter Agreement to open up more of its programmes to competition.
Earlier this week it confirmed that Blue Peter would be made by BBC Studios.