Virgin Media Television | BAI Round 39 Call For Ideas

Mon 17th May 2021



Virgin Media Television is looking for new Factual Documentary Series and Factual Entertainment Formats for the 2022/ 2023 schedule across Virgin Media Television.

They seek gripping and compelling stories which reflect modern society and capture a diverse, contemporary Ireland through a lens that has not yet been seen.

They’re not afraid of difficult topics butlook for the light at the end of the tunnel. Theirhardest-hitting shows still have room for hope and optimism but they have to take viewers somewhere they haven’t been before.

Of particular interest are returnable “brand-defining” factual entertainment formats and factual series, with noisy and topical ideas in hour-long, post-watershed slots.

Virgin Media Television islooking for informative, entertaining programming with broad appeal but an innovative and cutting edge twist and ideas that reflect aspects of life in contemporary Ireland. They are interested in unique access opportunities exemplified in a series such as The Guards: Inside The K which highlight places, people and organisations that are fixtures of Irish life.

They also want to champion original Irish formats that can capture contemporary Irish life but also appeal to viewers all over the world, such as Eating with the Enemy. They are open to talent suggestions, whether they are well known already, or dynamic new faces with something interesting to say.

They want broadly appealing series for our 9pm slot across the week, as well as some weekend slots. Theyare 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.

All applications should be submitted through the Commissioning Portal.

PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for submissions regarding Round 39 of the BAI Sound & Vision Fund for Virgin Media Television is 18th June 2021.

Note to Producers:

  1. Eligible Submissions: Virgin Media Television is currently inviting submissions from Producers or Production Companies 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 info@virginmediatelevision.ie 
  2. Re-submissions: Producers or production companies that have recently submitted ideas to the portal are invited to review the call out document and new guidelines, and revise their ideas based on this. In addition to new ideas, producers and production companies are welcome to revise their previous submissions if they feel they may be applicable to our call out. In this instance we would ask that these re-submissions be clearly labelled as ‘re-submission - revised for call out'.

For more information about submissions visit the Commissioning section of the Virgin Media Television website.