Television and BBC iPlayer

Commissioning decisions are made on a rolling basis and through specific tenders and invitations to pitch. 

All submissions should be sent to us via PiCoS.

What we do

BBC Cymru Wales commissioning team are at the forefront of the development and decision making process for drama, comedy and factual content on television and iPlayer. We commission the very best storytellers to do their very best work, portraying Wales as it is in all its forms with the intention of creating content to educate, inspire and entertain the whole of the UK. 

Current Opportunities

Our new pan-UK commissioning model

We’ve brought together commissioners from across the UK to increase the impact of our content, enable more decision-making to happen outside London, and help us authentically reflect audiences across every part of the UK. Find out more on the BBC Commissioning website.

Who we are

Nick Andrews

Nick Andrews is Senior Head of Content Commissioning at BBC Wales, leading the team responsible for commissioning and content strategy across television, BBC iPlayer and off-platform video. A member of the BBC Wales Executive Team, he oversees a diverse portfolio spanning drama, comedy and unscripted programming for audiences in Wales and across the UK.

Recent scripted commissions include hit dramas The Guest, The Witch Farm and The Last Detectives, alongside a growing comedy slate featuring Better, Later, Death Valley and The Golden Cobra. His unscripted portfolio encompasses a wide range of factual, entertainment and specialist programming, serving both BBC Wales and network audiences.

Julian Carey

Julian is a Commissioning Editor with responsibility for a broad range of content across documentaries, arts, daytime and sport. His commissions include acclaimed factual programmes such as Buried with Michael Sheen and Aberfan: The Village That Fought Back, alongside flagship arts and music programming including Cardiff Singer of the World. He also oversees a portfolio of daytime and sports content, including live boxing and football coverage.

Sian Harris

Sian oversees an array of factual series and singles for BBC One Wales and iPlayer and is co-execing several upcoming network co-commissions including BBC Three/BBC Wales series Hot Cakes. She’s always seeking the best, fresh new ideas with big audience appeal and covers content from documentaries to popular factual and fact ent. Recent commissions include the triple BAFTA Cymru nominated Black and Welsh, Lily: A Transgender Story and successful rig show The Wedding Dress Shop. She’s passionate about younger-skewing content as well as championing new talent and runs the BBC Cymru Wales New Documentary Directors’ Initiative. 

Paul Forde

Paul is responsible for the development and production of all comedy on BBC Wales. Throughout a long career in TV and radio he has been a vocal supporter and champion of Welsh comedy.

He was Commissioning Editor for returning brands The Tuckers on BBC One Wales and In My Skin on BBC3. The most recent productions on his slate include Death Valley (BBC1), Better Later (BBC1) Mammoth (BBC2) and The Golden Cobra (BBC3).

Sorelle Neil

Sorelle joins the commissioning team after twenty years working on a wide variety of shows- her latest credit was producing BBC Wales’s landmark documentary A Killing in Tiger Bay for BBC Wales & BBC2.

A qualified journalist, she began her career in television news before moving onto the One Show and currently oversees a wide variety of BBC Wales’ key returning strands including Weatherman Walking & X-Ray.

Karen Lyons

Karen Lyons is the YouTube Lead within the Commissioning team, overseeing original content for digital-first audiences across YouTube and emerging platforms. Her work includes leading YouTube commissions and co-commissions with BBC Network teams, developing distinctive content that engages younger audiences in Wales and across the UK.

Her slate spans documentaries, factual and entertainment formats, alongside innovative initiatives that explore new audience behaviours and platforms, from creator partnerships through BBC Creator Lab to audience engagement projects in gaming environments such as Roblox.

Nicola Cook

Nicola co-ordinates many of our Commissioning processes, working closely with the team, and independent companies. She also works on areas such as sustainability and diversity, and programme compliance. She is responsible for looking after ideas submissions to BBC Wales, and also the running of all commissioning opportunities.   

Amy Behan

Amy plays a key role in managing team operations, working closely with the commissioning team to keep processes running smoothly. She maintains strong relationships with independent production companies across Wales, organises events, and coordinates awards for ELTV at BBC Cymru Wales.

How to get in touch

For general queries contact commissioningwales@bbc.co.uk

or write to us at The Commissioning Team, BBC Cymru Wales, 3 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FS

Submissions

All submissions should be sent to us via PiCoS.

For independent producers without a PiCoS account please contact a Commissioning Editor first to discuss your idea.

Please note -  Individuals and members of the public cannot use PiCoS. Please visit the skills and training area to find out how you can work with us and grow your career in television.

Drama
Please note that we are unable to accept unsolicited drama scripts/book submissions unless they come from represented writers (via an agent) or from independent production companies. If you are an unrepresented writer submit via the BBC’s Writersroom or make contact with an independent production company.Many of these independent companies are members of PACT or TAC - industry bodies representing the independent sector. They will be able to provide contact information for your chosen companies if necessary.

Comedy
We are primarily looking for scripted comedies from Welsh writers that tell a Welsh story and are rooted in Wales with wide appeal to a UK audience both in and outside Wales. We DO accept unsolicited scripts from individual writers, agents or production companies. At the moment we are not looking for sketch or panel show formats.