We are looking for original drama with variety in tone and attitude that will both entertain and open up a view of contemporary life. RTÉ Drama needs to have broad popular appeal for Irish viewers first and foremost. They must be Irish stories. But Irish stories, of course, happen in the diaspora too, so an Irish setting isn’t essential.

RTÉ Drama
We are looking for original drama with variety in tone and attitude that will both entertain and open up a view of contemporary life. RTÉ Drama needs to have broad popular appeal for Irish viewers first and foremost. They must be Irish stories. But Irish stories, of course, happen in the diaspora too, so an Irish setting isn’t essential.

All RTÉ One commissioned drama is currently post-watershed. Returnability of a show is something to be considered at an early stage while acknowledging that some stories, particularly those drawing on real life events, will not extend beyond one serial event.

RTÉ actively develops projects that will meet the objectives of the various funding bodies on the Island of Ireland: BAI Sound and Vision Fund, Screen Ireland, the WRAP fund, Northern Ireland Screen as well as projects that are suited to international co-funding, pre-sales and co-production.

If helpful, RTÉ will work closely with producers in attaching financing partners. Co-production and co-financing is a high priority for RTÉ and we suggest producers talk to us early about projects they have in mind. But having said that, any non-Irish elements in a story to satisfy an international co-production partner, need to be there organically.

Should you wish to submit an idea for development investment you will need to register and submit on RTÉ's e-commissioning. Drama staff members are available to discuss ideas in advance of formal submission. A brief pitch from the writer and producer is useful at an early stage.

Some key points to keep in mind when submitting ideas to RTÉ Drama:

• All submissions need to be submitted by an independent production company and / or individuals or partnerships with previous production related experience;
• Keep pitches concise. Make sure that they are well thought through and have a considered point and purpose;
•  Avoid following trends or mimicking what others have done; we always look for something we haven't seen before;
• We’re not actively seeking period drama at the moment. Our audiences are responding more to drama with contemporaneous resonance, whether set in the present or not – stories that capture the essence of modern Ireland and what it’s like to be living in Ireland today;
•  Co-production and co-financing are a high priority - be prepared to discuss financing options when you pitch though we don’t expect you to have a fixed plan.

Storyland
Access to the heart of RTÉ Drama for new writers, producers and directors is essential to what we do and in this respect we encourage producers and writers at the beginning of their careers to engage with Storyland. Storyland is an on-line drama commission specifically designed by RTE and Northern Ireland Screen to nurture producers, writers, directors, cast and HODs with a particular emphasis on their creative and entrepreneurial skillset.

Information on the next round of StoryLand will be broadly circulated and available on rte.ie

RTÉ One
6 x 52’s for Sunday, Monday or Wednesday 21:30 slots. Dramas for RTÉ One must have broad appeal and drama for these slots are all post-watershed. Sunday night dramas speak to the nation and should provoke, challenge and entertain: TV for drama lovers of all ages. Eg. TAKEN DOWN and SMOTHER

Sunday night on RTÉ One is also a home for big national statement pieces: Drama that tells stories about contemporary Ireland and who were are in a way that documentary and current affairs can’t. Two, three or four parters along the lines of WHISTLEBLOWER or NO TEARS – drama with a social purpose. Ideally, the topics or events they deal with should no longer be in the press.

Sunday night on RTÉ One has also been a base for light hearted entertainment drama like STRIKING OUT and SOUTH WESTERLIES. These are dramas that provide a little cheerful relief from the real world, drama to brighten up a cold winter.

RTÉ2
Longer-running scripted formats that skew younger than for RTÉ One. Series must be distinctive and differentiate from RTÉ One drama in the first instance. We’re actively seeking cost-effective series which will be a vehicle for younger talent on either side of the camera as well as appealing to their peers. These shows can be for 60’ or 30’ slots.

 

 

The Comedy department develops and produces a diverse range of comedy content across multiple platforms. In addition to key properties such as The Tommy Tiernan Show, Mrs Browns Boys, The Young Offenders and Callan Kicks The Year, we are committed to the development of new comedy voices through new programming such as Clear History.

Making people laugh is an unusually Irish vocation. We have an extraordinary level of writing and performing talent, production and editorial skills, and Irish audiences have an unquestionable appetite for quality comedy.

Comedy production is one of the most pure forms of creativity, and it requires taking bigger risks. But when these risks pay off, they can generate the biggest wins for RTÉ, such as channel defining content like The Tommy Tiernan Show.

We are committed to the development of new comedy voices (e.g. Joanne McNally and Doireann Garrihy), and in 2021 comedy is a pillar of the schedule and our development slate is incredibly exciting.

We are looking for proposals that break new talent or generate new opportunities for existing talent.

Proposals that have the potential to support Irish talent in front of and behind the camera in the international TV market are of particular interest.

Coherent development phases will be prioritized, as will pragmatic budgets and finance plans - including BAI and international co-production opportunities, especially with the UK Comedy Industry.

So what are we looking for?

RTÉ ONE

We are looking for half hour scripted comedy that will reach a broad mainstream audience. Projects that have or will attract co-production finance and or an international broadcaster will be prioritised.

Big talent, strong writing, confident warm tone and contemporary family appeal are key. We are interested in finding and developing new projects in these spaces.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the e-commissioning system. http://www.rte.ie/commissioning under the programme category “Comedy – RTÉ One.

 

RTÉ2

In Scripted we are looking for uniquely Irish comedy that stands out in the crowded multi-channel and SVOD environment and engages primarily with 25 – 44 year olds.

Recent projects such as The Young Offenders are at the core of the channel's brand and crucially they respond to the increasingly multi-platform viewing habits of the audience.

Non Scripted We are interested in new Studio or Location based, formatted and talent-driven comedy for the 25 – 44 year old audience, focusing on the core channel brand.

Studio based comedy ideas that well thought through, different and realistically resourced are of particular interest.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the e-commissioning system. http://www.rte.ie/commissioning under the programme category “Comedy – RTÉ 2.

We are happy to discuss a variety of budgets and production timeframes, on a case-by-case basis. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis.