RTÉ invites cost-effective production proposals for a broad and engaging slate of Factual Entertainment programming. We welcome ideas that showcase creative ambition within standard budgetary frameworks, as well as higher-budget proposals capable of delivering premium, high-impact entertainment.

Submissions may span a variety of formats—from fixed-rig and block-recorded productions that benefit from economies of scale to complex, large-scale projects involving domestic and international location filming.

Standard Budget:      €90,000 to €130,000 per hour

High Budget:             €150,000 to €180,000 per hour

Duration:                    Series of 50 minutes. 4, 6 or 8 part series.

TX:                              January 2027 onwards

Deadline:                    12.00pm, Friday 09 January 2026 (Strict Deadline)

In exceptional circumstances if a higher cost per hour is necessary, producers should provide additional information and details explaining the reasons for the increased cost.

Proposals for pipeline development will be accepted on a rolling basis

Factual Entertainment has emerged as one of the most effective and adaptable genres for engaging broad, diverse audiences across all platforms. Entertainment is key, and in the context of this brief, factual entertainment formats have constructed environments, there are rules of play, and something to be won or achieved. Casting is critical to these formats, strong characters from all walks of life, reflecting the diversity of modern society, Traitors, First Dates, Love in the Country, Ireland’s Fittest Family, Bake Off are examples.  In an evolving media landscape, Factual Entertainment programmes give RTÉ an unique opportunity to remain culturally relevant, attract younger audiences, and drive cross-platform engagement. As Irish audiences’ consumption habits shift toward digital and on-demand platforms, Factual Entertainment can be the heartbeat of RTÉ, offering entertaining, ambitious, engaging, and scalable content.

The Traitors Ireland has been the success story of 2025, attracting large mainstream audiences, whilst also attracting that much sought after younger demographic. It captured the imagination of the country and created huge talkability. RTÉ Player live and on demand figures reflected the changing habits of our audiences.

Whilst not every offering can be Traitors, the desire is for, ambitious, impactful original formats, that will firstly resonate with domestic audiences but will have international appeal too. Areas of interest are Challenge, Adventure, Romance, Gameplay, Competition and Travel. But are there other genres that can be given the Factual Entertainment treatment, History, Crime, Sport or content from Social platforms that can be scaled up?

All must work for RTÉ Linear, RTÉ Player and demonstrate the potential for multi series.

Producers should consider how their ideas will work on the various platforms, stripping, event scheduling, can it have an accompanying podcast, what is the potential to elevate?

We’re actively seeking a standout series to launch in Spring 2027. One with a clear compelling format, creative ambition and scale, that will engage a large mainstream audience and become a pillar brand in our schedule.

For 2026 the focus will also be on development and commissioning broadcast pilots dependent on proposals received, identifying ideas with real potential and giving them the space to evolve, test, and connect with audiences. We want to shape a slate, that has a succession pipeline.

You’ve got the talent, so let's work together to create something brilliant!

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the e-commissioning system  Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) under the programme category "Factual Entertainment" before the submission deadline of 12.00pm, Friday 09 January 2026.