Our Mission is to empower children & young audiences by amplifying their voices and experiences through engaging fun and educational cross platform content.  We strive to create a safe and inclusive media environment that celebrates diversity, encourages active participation, and inspires a new generation of Irish kids & young people.

The Children’s & Young People’s content division is subdivided into 2 distinct age profiles -

RTÉjr 0 – 6 years and RTÉ Kids 7 – 12 years. We commission cross platform content for Video, Audio & Online platforms. By working hand in hand with Independent Producers across both the Live action & Animation sectors, our aim is to deliver top quality, entertaining, fun and educational content (with a small e) that will connect with both kids and family audiences across Ireland & beyond. Special consideration will be given to submissions by Producers who think outside the box in terms of how best to position their content cross platform in an innovative engaging way to reach audiences.

We are also looking to develop programme ideas for future production, please note our key development priorities:

Full Brief

RTÉjr 0 – 6 years

Next year and into 2027 we are looking for content for our youngest viewers that will really resonate with their daily lives and routines.  Series that celebrate family and having fun.

RTÉ Kids 7 – 12 years

Scripted is a priority for us over the next three years and we intend to grow our drama & comedy drama output for this audience.

We are also keen to explore the family quiz/ game show space – perhaps a cross generational show that could be enjoyed together by all members of the family. Is there an original IP out there or a format that might work for this audience?

We are keen to really platform kids voices and opinions across all aspects of our content and we will be calling out later this year for a far-reaching cross platform vehicle that gives kids a voice across all of our services.  In previous years we had Kidspeak – what might the 2026 version of this look like and what form might it take?

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) system under the programme category Young Peoples – Development RTÉjr 0-6 Years & Development RTÉ Kids 7+ Years

Number:             Submissions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on format.

Duration:            Up to 24 minutes per episode

Budget:                €55,000 - €90,000 per hour

Factual Entertainment always resonates strongly with this audience - We are always looking for submissions that take a well-known subject and themes but present it in a new and unique way that will connect with the audience.  Are there more opportunities to merge animation and live action into a compelling pre-school series?  How can sections of the series be given a new life on other platforms – is there a multi-platform approach being considered? – Lean into comedy when delivering “educational” content.

We already have a number of series in the science space so currently not looking for submissions in this area. We are not currently looking for series in the area of mindfulness emotional wellbeing. Kids & their pets is an area we are keen to explore for this age group. Series that mirror preschool experience and family life in a fun gentle engaging way.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) system under the programme category Young Peoples – Factual Entertainment RTÉjr 0-6 years

Number:             Submissions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on format.

Duration:            Up to 24 minutes per episode

Budget:               €55,000 - €90,000 per hour

Over the last 3 years we have delivered a really incredible thought-provoking slate of Fact Ent series for the 7+ audience. While always on the lookout for interesting series that give a platform to younger voices and engage with our audience on a range of topics, we have a number of titles in the works delivering for 2025 and 2026 so pretty well served for this type of content at the moment.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) system under the programme category Young Peoples Factual Entertainment RTÉ Kids 7+

Information

Number:                             13, 26 or 52 episodes

Duration:                            Between 5 - 11 minutes per episode

Budget:                              Subject to third party funding proposals

We are always looking for animated content for our youngest preschool viewers and open to all approaches to storytelling. We are commissioned for 2025 & 2026 so delivery for broadcast 2027 are next available slots.

Our annual animated shorts scheme continues to go from strength to strength and every year allows us to showcase such wonderful short films. Please keep an eye on the YPP commissioning section for information on upcoming callouts, budget ranges and webinars in relation to the scheme.

Animation by its very nature will be funded via a multi-faceted co-production approach and we of course are always keen to work with Producers to assist in any way that we can throughout the process.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) system under the programme category Young Peoples Animation RTÉjr 0 – 6 years.

Animation by its very nature will be funded via a multi-faceted co production approach and we of course are always keen to work with Producers to assist in any way that we can 

Number:                             10, 15 or 20 episodes

Duration:                            Between 5 - 15 Minutes per episode

Budget:                              €65,000 - €100,000 per hour RTÉ funding

RTÉjr is interested in commissioning original character-centered, script-based content for its young audience. We are looking for stories based in fantasy world or real world or both.  Stories that encourage exploration, creativity and inspire. Recent titles that have really resonated with our audience are Dizzy Deliveries, Body Brothers and The Imagination Machine. We are always keen to support and grow new talent and ideas built around comedians / entertainers are of particular interest. Preferably long-running series (minimum 10 episodes) and episodes should be short in duration.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) system under the programme category Young Peoples – Scripted Short Form RTÉjr 0-6 Years

Number:                             10, 15 or 20 episodes

Duration:                            Between 5 - 15 Minutes per episode

Budget:                               €65,000 - €100,000 per hour RTÉ funding

Scripted is a big priority for the Children’s & Young People’s Division.  2024 saw The Unreal and Lousie Lives Large hit our screens. Both series had a wide appeal across kids & family and this is what made them both land so well. We have a brand-new series Showkids coming to our screens in April 2025 and a number of titles in development but always on the lookout for new series that resonate with kids and family audience.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) system under the programme category Young Peoples Drama & Comedy RTÉ Kids 7+

Duration: 5 minutes + 30 seconds and 1 minute teaser for social media
Budget:   To a maximum of €20,000

Duration: 14 minutes + 30 seconds and 1 minute teaser for social media
Budget:   To a maximum of €35,000

Duration: 28 minutes + 30 seconds and 1 minute teaser for social media
Budget:   To a maximum of €55,000

Broadcast: RTÉjr & RTÉ Kids

My Story is RTÉ YPP’s documentary strand. My Story straddles all three age groups that we deliver content for. Although the stories presented should be very different thematically, one thing they should all have in common is the placement of a child/young person narrator at the very centre. This strand is an opportunity to explore stories and highlight issues that directly affect our audience. These documentaries should be 5, 14 or 28 minutes in duration. The shorter duration is specifically created with the under 7’s in mind.

These documentaries could be a way into the TV industry for first time documentary makers however it is imperative that first time producers/directors who submit a story must align themselves with a documentary maker/mentor or production company who have a proven track record in making documentaries for and about children.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) under the programme category “Young Peoples – Documentary 5 mins or Documentary 14 mins or Documentary 28 mins 

General Callout:

We know that you lot are a creative bunch and from time to time come up with wonderful timely ideas that are out of scope. Ideally we prefer to receive pitches that correspond to existing briefs but if you feel compelled please submit to General Callout. Submitting your idea under this heading by no means
implies that RTÉ are in any way compelled to commission your proposal. However, it could just be a gem of an idea that we haven’t thought of!!

We look forward to receiving all of your ideas.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) under the programme category Young Peoples "General"