Studio entertainment and constructed reality commissioning

Our new brief for studio entertainment and constructed reality through an audience lens. Read the key messages below or download the pdf for further information.

Success on iPlayer

We need content throughout the year

The biggest studio entertainment and constructed reality shows benefit from an elongated release pattern creating anticipation and driving talkability between series, like The Traitors, The Apprentice and Race Across the World. We need a year-round offering for our audiences that builds on momentum and further drives cadence throughout the year, filling in any chronological or thematic gaps. Our visualised timeline below illustrates the release cadence of studio entertainment and constructed reality programmes throughout the year.

Summer is a huge opportunity

Summer remains a big opportunity to capture wider audiences who are lighter users of the BBC. Our closest competitors see success in launching new shows across the summer, and titles that do well here tend to utilise the summer mindset. We’ve seen the BBC’s second biggest constructed reality launch in the last few years for Destination X, which is only behind The Traitors brand in terms of new launches in this space. It is also an opportunity to capitalise on large sports audiences that often come to the BBC during this period of the year.

In order to drive this on iPlayer we’re looking for:

• Formats with real pull for under 35s (U35): New voices (including creators), fast pace, modern tone. Stories that feel close to their lives – often playing on friendship dynamics, risk and achievement.
• Shows that people return to over time: Evergreen formats with enduring appeal – and strong repeat value on the channels.
• Glossy reality: Formats built around relationships, status and social intrigue, rooted in real UK worlds.
• Family entertainment: Shared entertainment formats that bring households together.
• The next summer staple: A format that can deliver weekly episodes across June - August, to compliment our strong existing offering
• Ambitious, high-impact formats that complement other tentpole brands: eg The Traitors, The Apprentice and Strictly Come Dancing.
• ...with potential to grow into spin offs or digital extensions.
• Playful, high energy, broad appeal, character driven: Borrowing from the tone and spirit of shows like Top Gear.

Themes: speaking to our audience

All audiences are important, but young (16-34) and C2DE groups represent a bigger opportunity – we need more content that speaks to them. Young (16-34) and C2DE audiences are broad groups covering a wide proportion of the UK, but there are some common themes in terms of content that appeals to these groups:

Worlds

Positivity, humour and escapism

• Content that helps them relax and escape from the stresses of life – winding down, laughing, escaping or feeling better after a long day.
• Getting lost in a new world or taking a break from their own lives to watch others.
• Content that is repeatable and bingeable
• Content to watch together - Being brought together by content they can watch together – Family in the broadest sense (friends, neighbours)
• Gaining knowledge, ideas, skills for ‘getting ahead’ or coping with life and relationships.

Personalities

Down to earth

• Our opportunity audience wants to see and hear ‘people like me’ and ‘the people I know’
• Relatable, authentic, often witty characters
• This is about personality, values and tone, not literally matching in age, ethnicity, accent, etc. It’s the character and culture that people relate to.
• Approachable, opinionated, straight-talking, sharp, respected, often witty / humorous, often ‘big’ strong personalities and with genuine chemistry between them.
• Authentic and positive representation of the diversity of the UK, evidenced by things like getting the tone, humour and cultural references right.

Relatability

Visibility and representation

• This audience tends to be less financially secure due to socio-economic background and/or age.
• A culture of self-reliance and feeling they have to work harder and use their wits – savvy in today’s world.
• Value seeing people being challenged, striving for success, sometimes against the odds. Rooting for an underdog and seeing accountability.
• A clear element of learning from the experiences of others.
• Very often told through the insider view, often feeling raw, unmediated and honest.
• Representation across the UK 

What we’re looking for:

We have identified thematic worlds where we have previously seen success and where there is further areas for opportunity:

Timeless laughs

Playful humour and light-hearted formats in studio entertainment

Types of formats in this space: Would I Lie To You - BBC, Last One Laughing - Amazon Prime, Taskmaster - Channel 4

Formats in this space are built around strong personalities, chemistry and highly repeatable format mechanics. Whether through games, challenges, conversation or shared experiences, the entertainment comes from authentic reactions, playful rivalry and spontaneous moments rather than scripted comedy. Combining familiar premises in new scenarios and unpredictable outcomes.

Key identifiers:

• Personality-led entertainment driven by chemistry and interaction.
• Silly, spontaneous and self-deprecating humour.
• Playful competition resulting in authentic reactions and unscripted moments.
• Strong, repeatable format mechanics, re-watchability and long-running potential.
• Familiar setups that generate fresh outcomes each episode.
• Group dynamics and relationships at the heart.
• Broad, accessible appeal and feel-good viewing.
• Memorable moments that drive conversation and sharing.

For studio entertainment: we’re focussing on young 16-34 audiences, male audiences. This is a growing area of opportunity for the BBC.

Mind mischief

Where we’ve seen big success with titles like The Traitors and Destination X

Types of format in this space: The Traitors - BBC, Destination X – BBC, The 1% Club - ITV

Formats in this space combine mystery, psychological gameplay and social strategy to create active viewing. They invite audiences to participate intellectually - observing, deducing, speculating and reassessing as new information emerges - while delivering surprising, conversation-driving entertainment.

Key identifiers:

• Game-driven storytelling
• Driven by psychological gameplay
• Active viewing - speculate, theorise and second-guess.
• Fuelled by curiosity and creativity over correctness.
• Blending intellectual challenge with broad, playful entertainment.
• Unfolding narratives, suspense through uncertainty/changing perspectives.
• Shared viewing moments that drive conversation, debate and participation.

In constructed reality: this is a stretchy territory that the BBC can own.

In studio entertainment: we’re focussing on broader family and C2DE audiences. Opportunities for exciting new big moment programmes.

Friends and family

Formats featuring relatable friendships and family relationships

Types of format in this space: Stacey and Joe - BBC, Mortimer and Whitehouse - BBC, Clarkson’s Farm - Amazon Prime

These celebrate the relationships that shape our lives, from family bonds and parenting journeys to lifelong friendships and unlikely pairings. Rooted in warmth, humour and genuine connection, exploring the realities of everyday life, and enduring companionship. Through everyday moments and shared experiences, they offer relatable, emotionally engaging viewing that highlights the importance of connection and belonging.

Key identifiers:

• Relationship-led storytelling rooted in authentic connection.
• Relatable families, stories and growth – Everyday living, problems, happiness.
• Lifelong relationships with shared histories, chemistry and affection.
• Humour, banter and emotional openness at the heart of the narrative Shared adventures, experiences or passions that deepen relationships.
• Feel-good, uplifting viewing driven by warmth and relatability.
• The best formats often have a clear proposition and purpose.

In constructed reality: we’re focussing on broad and young 16-34 audiences, with a C2DE focus.

Signature worlds

One of the biggest areas, and one with long running brands, spans across constructed reality and studio entertainment

Types of formats in this space: Strictly Come Dancing – BBC, The Apprentice - BBC, Gladiators - BBC

These formats create distinctive, recognisable worlds where audiences can quickly learn the rules, develop expertise and emotionally invest in contestants. They combine personal journeys, competition and mastery, enabling viewers to root for favourites, form strong opinions and experience big event moments and finales.

Key identifiers:

• Big event moment programmes: Made for broad audiences
• Clearly defined worlds (iconography), own rules, language, rituals and stakes
• Allowing viewers to rapidly become knowledgeable and a sense of expertise
• Allowing audiences to judge outcomes, compare performances and form opinions
• Creating clear heroes, rivalries, journeys and personal growth
• Rooting for favourites and become emotionally invested in contestants
• Combining competition with mastery – watching people excel in a discipline

In constructed reality: we’re focussing on a new unique signature world

In studio entertainment: we’re focussing on young under 35 audiences, looking for the next generation of signature worlds by identifying emerging communities that audiences want to understand, participate in and belong to. The strongest worlds aren’t always competitions, they're gateways into a new world.

Across constructed reality and studio entertainment: we’re looking for new signature worlds that:

• Audiences can participate in, not just watch, with strong social and digital discussion hooks
• More porous worlds that extend off-screen
• New forms of expertise beyond traditional talent (social, psychological, strategic, entrepreneurial, cultural)

How to pitch us ideas

Send your ideas via the PiCoS submissions system to our entertainment and factual entertainment commissioners.

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