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"

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 

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

Duration: Up to 24 minutes per episode

Budget: €55,000 - €80,000 per hour

We are also always on the lookout for compelling studio or location based ideas for RTÉjr & RTÉ Kids.

Series like "Body Brothers" on RTÉjr and "Ace My Space", "Squad Goals", "This is Art Club" and "Storybud" on RTÉ Kids are great examples of formats that have worked well for our audiences.

We are always looking for new formats. Can you come up with ways of exploring numeracy, literacy for under 7 year olds? Is there a new way to deliver storytelling in a modern and engaging way? What about a location based comedy show or a music show for older kids? Have you a format based around climate change? Have you an idea for a quiz that will be the next "Blackboard Jungle"?

Whatever the subject matter we are looking for fun, snappy, laugh out loud formats. Obviously cost effective production models will be particularly attractive.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) under the programme category Young Peoples “Studio or location based CONTENT”.

Number: 10, 15 or 20 episodes

Duration: Between 5 - 15 Minutes per episode

Budget: €65,000 - €100,000 per hour

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. Let your imaginations go wild!    We are always keen to support and grow new talent and ideas built around female 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”.

History of the Fund

In November 2016, RTÉ and ARTE G.E.I.E., the Strasbourg branch of the Franco-German public broadcaster ARTE, joined forces to develop and co-fund exceptional documentary projects, aiming to bring more Irish content to European audiences. Since then, ARTE G.E.I.E. and RTÉ have invested in a diverse range of Irish documentaries covering factual topics, current affairs, history, and the arts. The collaboration between ARTE commissioning editors and Irish production companies has flourished, creating numerous opportunities for Irish creative talent.

Practical Information

The fund operates on a rolling basis, with projects being developed and funded continuously. We seek standout single documentaries that have secured development or broadcast commitments from an RTÉ Commissioning Editor, which can then be pitched to ARTE’s specific documentary strands. Most documentaries for ARTE are 52 minutes long and do not include commercial breaks. The RTÉ version of the programme should be a 50 minute duration with two commercial breaks as agreed with the RTÉ Commissioning Editor.

RTÉ and ARTE welcome ideas from all genres, including Factual, Specialist Factual, Science and Natural Science, History, Archaeology and Human Endeavour, Current Affairs/Geopolitics, and Arts, Culture, and Music. We are particularly interested in compelling Irish stories with international appeal, whether they focus on ancient or contemporary history, arts, or society/current affairs. Ambitious factual, specialist factual, and arts documentaries that resonate with both Irish and European audiences are highly valued.

Given that ARTE documentaries are broadcast in multiple territories, projects led by voiceovers that can be revoiced in several languages are preferred. Presenter-led documentaries or series are generally not suitable for ARTE, except in rare cases where the presenter is a global icon, such as Angelica Huston on Joyce by Blueprint Films.

Completed projects must be delivered to ARTE 6-8 weeks before the broadcast date to allow time for translation, subtitling, and revoicing in French and German, as well as Polish, Spanish, and Italian for on-demand services. The costs for revoicing and subtitling are covered by ARTE and should not be included in the programme production budgets.

How To Apply

Production companies interested in submitting a programme proposal for the fund should initially submit their proposal through RTÉ’s e-Commissioning system Login | RTE (rtegroup.ie) . Indicate that the idea is suitable for co-production with ARTE and provide information on any other third-party funders if applicable. If the proposal is approved for further consideration, Sarah Ryder, RTÉ’s ARTE lead, will present it to the relevant ARTE commissioning executives.

Further information

For more details on the RTÉ / ARTE G.E.I.E. co-production fund, please contact Sarah Ryder at sarah.ryder@rte.ie.