BBC Studios retains contract to provide topical arts coverage on BBC Two
Following a tender process BBC Studios has secured the contract to deliver the BBC’s topical arts programming including Front Row Late, Edinburgh Nights and a range of topical events coverage until autumn 2020.
Published: 16 April 2019
Our arts coverage on BBC Two brings together some of the most exciting new ideas and events happening across the UK.
The tendering of returning series currently produced by BBC Studios forms part of the Compete Or Compare strategy launched by the BBC in 2014, which underlined the BBC’s commitment to commission the best programmes for audiences, regardless of who makes them.
In order to find the best outcome for the BBC’s audiences all bids were assessed against four criteria - strength of editorial proposal, value for money, strategic priorities and risk. BBC Studios scored highest against these criteria amongst the eligible producers who submitted proposals to produce the bundle of arts programmes.
Professor Dame Mary Beard will continue to present Front Row Late, which will have three runs of 6x30’ programmes for transmission in September 2019, January 2020 and May 2020.
Edinburgh Nights will provide coverage from the Edinburgh Festival on an annual basis, with two runs of 3x30’ programmes for transmission in August 2019 and August 2020
Every year the BBC covers at least two major events that are important or noteworthy in our cultural life across the UK. Recent examples of this topical arts coverage have included Hull, UK City of Culture, The Great Exhibition of the North and the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition. There will be 2x30’ programmes anticipated for transmission in 2019/20 along with 1x60’ and 2x30’ programmes anticipated for transmission in 2020/21
In total there will be 15 hours of programming all of which will be for BBC Two. All programmes will qualify as Scotland productions under the Ofcom criteria and bidding producers needed to have an existing substantive base in Scotland.
Adam Barker, Channel Executive, BBC Two, says: “Our arts coverage on BBC Two brings together some of the most exciting new ideas and events happening across the UK. We felt this bid was the most convincing offer in terms of lively arts journalism and exciting film making to help bring audiences the huge variety of cultural activity around the UK”
Jonty Claypole, Director for BBC Arts, says: “Reflecting the breadth and ideas of contemporary culture across the UK is a key priority for BBC Arts as part of our public service remit. In a competitive process, full of ambition and insight, BBC Studios presented the best bid for delivering a television strand that is both entertaining, intellectually curious and right for today.”
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