RTÉ calls for format pitches

Irish pubcaster RTÉ has called on local producers to submit programme ideas for its upcoming Formats Farm pitch.

The pubcaster’s sales arm, RTÉ Global, has set a deadline of March 27 for format ideas that will be screened by RTÉ commissioners, who then pass some on to channels controllers. Four ideas are ultimately taken to pilot for broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Two this autumn.

RTÉ Global also assess the projects’ international appeal, with the shortlisted prodcos are asked to seek match finance from international sales companies.

The Farm has previously found shows such as Toto Productions’ The Takeover, which Channel 4 commissioned in the UK; VIP Productions’ The Hit, which Warner Bros. International Television Production has sold into territories such as the Netherlands, Russia and China; and Coco Television’s Whose Holiday is it Anyway, which DRG has acquired for international distribution.

“Format Farm has proven to be an innovative and exciting way of generating new Irish TV series for viewers,” said RTÉ Global’s head of formats, Janet Frawley (pictured).

“RTÉ and the production companies also partner with some of the industry’s biggest distributors, which helps take these new formats out to the world. We’re calling on anyone who thinks they have a great idea for a new pilot to submit it to us.”