Current Speech Opportunities
BBC Sounds
Race Across the World visualised podcast brief
We’re looking for a new visualised podcast with broad appeal to build on the success of the popular BBC series Race Across the World that will amplify the brand across BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer. The format should be inspired by the beloved BBC programme, encompassing the brand values and tone of the series but also elevating the experience to new heights.
Proposal should be submitted via PiCoS. Once you have logged in click the ‘Create a Proposal’ button and choose Audio, and the OD Sounds Speech network, where you should be able to see the round ‘Race Across the World Podcast’. If you are registered with the BBC as a TV supplier rather than an audio supplier please contact PiCoS Support and let them know you would like to pitch for this opportunity.
The deadline for ideas is 20 January 2026.
Download the Race Across the World commissioning brief (pdf)
Radio 3
There are no rounds currently open.
Radio 4
Spring 2026 Commissioning Round
Commissioning presentations will take place across the UK in February and are open to all registered suppliers. For more information, please email [email protected].
- GLASGOW | Mon 02 Feb 1530-1800 | BBC Scotland
- SALFORD | Tues 03 Feb 1530-1800 | BBC MediaCity UK
- CARDIFF | Weds 04 Feb 1530-1800 | BBC Cymru Wales
- LONDON | Fri 06 Feb 1230-1500 | BBC Broadcasting House
Landmark British History Brief
We are also looking for a landmark series that tells a compelling history of the British Isles and helps us understand how we have become the nation we are now:
Radio 5 Live & 5 Sport Extra
5 Live Boxing Feed
We want to grow the 5 Live Boxing feed and are looking to commission a short-run series that will appeal to the existing audience, but bring new, under-served listeners into BBC Sounds. We're particularly interested in ideas that appeal beyond BBC’s heartland radio listenership i.e. reaching lighter users of the BBC who are weekly podcast listeners.
The deadline for initial ideas and eligibility information is midday on 22 January 2026. Suppliers can submit a maximum of two ideas for consideration.
Proposal should be submitted via PiCoS. Select ‘OD Sounds Speech’ network – and then brief number: 10913-70000. Please include:
- A response to the production eligibility questionnaire (up to 500 words)
- An editorial proposal of which summarises the idea (up to 500 words) entered in the ‘short proposal’ field. Please enter ‘N/A’ in the ‘full proposal’ field.
- Confirmation of the location of your existing substantive base
Radio 4 - Open Round
What we are looking for:
The majority of our business is conducted through commissioning rounds and regulated by detailed commissioning briefs (see Coming Up), but registered suppliers can pitch to us outside of commissioning rounds if:
- an idea is a reaction to news events or current trends and has a short lead time. Reactivity, generally through non-fiction long form audio, is an important part of what we do. The audience needs us to explore subjects and stories in more depth than news programmes often have time for. This is also where we can examine history, experience and analysis related to news events.
- an idea is topical or talent dependent.
- the short proposal stage of a commissioning round has closed.
How to pitch:
If your idea meets the criteria above, email a paragraph outlining your idea to [email protected], marking it for the attention of the relevant Commissioning Editor. You can find details of Commissioning Editors and their specialisms here. If you are not sure which is the right Editor for your idea, don’t worry, we will make sure it goes to the person best suited to commission it.
What happens once I have pitched my idea?
- You will receive an automated email acknowledgement on receipt of your submission.
- Your idea will be read by a Commissioning Editor, working with the wider commissioning team.
- If the Commissioning Editor wishes to progress the idea, you will be asked to enter a proposal under the Radio 4 Open Round in PiCoS. NB: The Open Round may be closed for 24 hours ahead of a large commissioning round. Please do not put any pitches into PiCoS unless it is requested by a Commissioning Editor.
- The idea will be rejected, commissioned or shortlisted in PiCoS, typically within a couple of weeks. An idea might be shortlisted to give the commissioning editor more time to work with the supplier, or to consider the idea against other factors.
You will be contacted by the Commissioning Editor with a no or with a request to put the idea into PiCoS within a maximum of 14 weeks. You will receive a Yes or No via PiCoS within a maximum of 20 weeks. These are our maximum guarantees - we expect to respond much more quickly. There will be some rare occasions where a Commissioning Editor will need more time to make a decision. In this case, the Commissioning Editor will write to you, explaining the delay and setting out a new timetable.
Podcast - Open Round
What we are looking for:
We're looking for big, bold, bright ambitious ideas - the ones that will help us grow new communities of listeners. We don’t commission a huge number of podcasts but, when we do, we back them 100%, from commission to delivery and promotion. Once commissioned we’ll love your idea just as much as you do.
Often, we want ideas that are perfect for returning series.
In addition:
- we like to work with big names who can bring new audiences with them, especially in the entertainment genre;
- we want to work with great new journalists and producers whose ideas and treatments will take us to new listeners;
- we love ambitious formats and approaches that reimagine Radio 4 and 5 Live values and journalism for a different audience;
- We are interested in ideas that reach beyond current BBC audio listeners, to audiences who love podcasts but haven’t found them at the BBC yet;
- We’re definitely in the market for your take on where the gaps are. What have you spotted that no one else has?
The door is always open for these podcast ideas, via the Open Round. Sometimes ideas commissioned here find their way on to Radio 4 or 5 Live speedily, while some take more time, and others will work best as podcast only.
We are also interested in a limited number of ideas that are not focused on a specific BBC radio network. These are likely to be titles with a broad appeal for audiences who haven’t yet discovered BBC podcasts. They will be podcasts that are talked about and shared. What can we offer this audience to make them fall in love with the medium?
We will also advertise tenders where you can pitch for specific podcast briefs. Details of current tenders can be found under Current Opportunities.
How to Pitch:
- Email a paragraph outlining your idea to [email protected], marking it for the attention of the relevant Commissioning Editor. You can find details of Commissioning Editors and their specialisms here. If you are not sure which is the right Editor for your idea, don't worry, we will make sure it goes to the person best suited to commission it.
What happens once I have pitched my idea?
- You will receive an automated email acknowledgement on receipt of your submission.
- Your idea will be read by a Commissioning Editor, working with the wider commissioning team.
- If the Commissioning Editor wishes to progress the idea, you will be asked to enter a proposal under the OD Speech Podcasts - Open Round (round 8) in Proteus.
- The idea will be rejected, accepted or shortlisted, typically, within a couple of weeks. (Commissioning Editors sometimes shortlist ideas to give them more time to work with suppliers, or to consider these ideas against other factors.)
You will be contacted by the Commissioning Editor with a no or with a request to put the idea into Proteus within a maximum of 14 weeks. You will receive a Yes or No via Proteus within a maximum of 20 weeks. These are our maximum guarantees - we expect to respond much more quickly.
