Audio and Events

Dec 2025

Responsible for commissioning content across all of BBC Radio Scotland.

As the majority of BBC Radio Scotland programming consists of long running strands, there are not huge opportunities. However, there are some clear specifics we are looking for in the attached brief. We are always interested in what can we do in partnership with our other Radio and Digital services and with BBC Alba.

Current opportunities

BBC Radio Scotland
CRIME NEXT DOOR BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sounds are looking for your pitches for our Crime Next Door strand for 2026/2027. You can email your ideas to CrimeNextDoor We would appreciate if your bids can be with us by 16th November 2025. Brief Outline Crime Next Door is one of the top performing podcasts from BBC Sounds. Focused on crimes within close-knit communities across the UK, an opportunity exists to bring the most compelling ideas to commissioners. Topics should focus on the key elements that make the strand perform: Individual stories of often shocking crimes, a deep dive into the events that left UK communities stunned. Unvarnished and narrative in tone, a good fit for podcast devotees who love to binge-listen, but with enough handholding for linear or weekly listeners. Raw and realistic in manner, we seek an authentic reflection of communities, villages and towns. The podcast features a collection of local voices, making the storytelling feel personal and genuine. This approach helps listeners connect with the stories on a deeper level. Successful pitches will benefit from a passionate presenter: The host is typically someone with strong ties to the place where the crimes occurred, adding a layer of investment in the narrative. With episodes lasting between 15 and 25 minutes, listeners can fully immerse themselves in the detailed and gripping accounts of each crime. Overall, "Crime Next Door" offers a compelling mix of authenticity, local insights, and in-depth storytelling that true crime enthusiasts will find captivating.
Documentary Series We are looking for occasional one-offs or short documentary series which you feel needs a special position in the BBC Radio Scotland schedule. There is limited opportunity for these, so it really has to warrant a place and deliver a “must listen” experience. Recent such commissions have included a programme on Scottish athletes at the Paralympics and a powerful two part documentary on multiple male suicide at a shinty club.
Podcast Priorities As the podcast market has grown so has the challenge to cut through in this ever more congested marketplace. There are an estimated four million podcasts available worldwide and if there’s a statistic that shows how quality counts in this intensely competitive arena it’s the fact that the top 1% of podcasts account for around 99% of downloads. In a world of massive choice only a minority of podcasts capture our attention. We have opportunities for a limited number of high impact podcasts ideas which can cut through and can grow an audience. Be bold and ambitious. Whatever the subject – investigation, true crime, history, culture, entertainment, society and powerful personal stories – it will be expressed in gold standard production values, involve creative audio treatments and will be led by superb narrative storytelling. Remember the importance of strong portrayal. Our podcasts should be authentically rooted in Scotland while having universal appeal – The Missing Madonna, Dead Man Running are great examples of storytelling that achieves these dual aims. We’d love to hear ideas that are genre-shifting or brings some fun, something unexpected, a twist on a story or subject that’s not been done before and that target under-served audiences. Successful talent combinations can be crucial to podcast success, so we are also looking for high profile, big name talent that can provide their own unique take in the lifestyle, entertainment and comedy areas. We are also keen to look at podcasts which extend the brand of successful TV formats that can bring an audience across to BBC Sounds. We’re also looking for ideas which can be returning series. Proposals need to be submitted via PiCos, the BBC’s commissioning system. If you don’t have a log-in, contact [email protected] for more information on creating an account.

BBC Radio Scotland

CRIME NEXT DOOR

BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sounds are looking for your pitches for our

Crime Next Door strand for 2026/2027.

You can email your ideas to CrimeNextDoor

We would appreciate if your bids can be with us by 16th November 2025.

Brief Outline

Crime Next Door is one of the top performing podcasts from BBC Sounds. Focused on crimes within close-knit communities across the UK, an opportunity exists to bring the most compelling ideas to commissioners. Topics should focus on the key elements that make the strand perform:

Individual stories of often shocking crimes, a deep dive into the events that left UK communities stunned.

Unvarnished and narrative in tone, a good fit for podcast devotees who love to binge-listen, but with enough handholding for linear or weekly listeners.

Raw and realistic in manner, we seek an authentic reflection of communities, villages and towns. The podcast features a collection of local voices, making the storytelling feel personal and genuine. This approach helps listeners connect with the stories on a deeper level.

Successful pitches will benefit from a passionate presenter: The host is typically someone with strong ties to the place where the crimes occurred, adding a layer of investment in the narrative.

With episodes lasting between 15 and 25 minutes, listeners can fully immerse themselves in the detailed and gripping accounts of each crime.

Overall, "Crime Next Door" offers a compelling mix of authenticity, local insights, and in-depth storytelling that true crime enthusiasts will find captivating.

Documentary Series

We are looking for occasional one-offs or short documentary series which you feel needs a special position in the BBC Radio Scotland schedule.

There is limited opportunity for these, so it really has to warrant a place and deliver a “must listen” experience. Recent such commissions have included a programme on Scottish athletes at the Paralympics and a powerful two part documentary on multiple male suicide at a shinty club.

Podcast Priorities

As the podcast market has grown so has the challenge to cut through in this ever more congested marketplace. There are an estimated four million podcasts available worldwide and if there’s a statistic that shows how quality counts in this intensely competitive arena it’s the fact that the top 1% of podcasts account for around 99% of downloads. In a world of massive choice only a minority of podcasts capture our attention.

We have opportunities for a limited number of high impact podcasts ideas which can cut through and can grow an audience.

Be bold and ambitious. Whatever the subject – investigation, true crime, history, culture, entertainment, society and powerful personal stories – it will be expressed in gold standard production values, involve creative audio treatments and will be led by superb narrative storytelling.

Remember the importance of strong portrayal. Our podcasts should be authentically rooted in Scotland while having universal appeal – The Missing Madonna, Dead Man Running are great examples of storytelling that achieves these dual aims.

We’d love to hear ideas that are genre-shifting or brings some fun, something unexpected, a twist on a story or subject that’s not been done before and that target under-served audiences.

Successful talent combinations can be crucial to podcast success, so we are also looking for high profile, big name talent that can provide their own unique take in the lifestyle, entertainment and comedy areas. We are also keen to look at podcasts which extend the brand of successful TV formats that can bring an audience across to BBC Sounds.

We’re also looking for ideas which can be returning series.

Proposals need to be submitted via PiCos, the BBC’s commissioning system. If you don’t have a log-in, contact [email protected] for more information on creating an account.

Arts and Music programming

We are always on the lookout for proposals which can deliver arts and music in an accessible and dynamic way to our audience and celebrate the cultural life of Scotland.

From set piece moments, through to documentary, and live sessions, we want to reflect and represent all aspects of the vibrant arts and music culture we have in Scotland.

Ideas that can span tv, radio and digital and can be delivered in partnership are particularly of interest.

Various durations, depending on event
Tariff dependent on idea
Genre: Scotland Speech, Music & Events
Channel: BBC Scotland/Radio Scotland
Commissioner: Victoria Easton-Riley

Victoria Easton-Riley

Victoria joined BBC Scotland at the end of August 2025 in the newly created role of Head of Audio and Events. Victoria is editorially responsible for all of BBC Radio Scotland’s linear and digital audio content, overseeing the strategy, commissioning, content development and delivery of output, as well as leadership of our speech, music and impact teams.

Victoria joined BBC Radio Scotland from her role as Director of Content for Bauer Media Scotland and Northern Ireland, where she had been instrumental in driving unprecedented growth across flagship stations, including Clyde 1 and Forth 1.

Before Bauer, Victoria started her career at the BBC where she produced the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw. Her production credits also include high-profile programmes such as The Official Chart and Scott Mills. While based in London, she also contributed to programmes at Absolute Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Radio 1Xtra.