Lyric Feature:
Proposals for the Lyric Feature RTÉ Lyric fm’s main arts and music documentary slot. It is broadcast on FM and also available to stream and podcast. Programme proposals for this slot should be for a standard broadcast feature length of 45 minutes. The proposal should be in the area of arts and culture and should have a strong narrative thread, storyline or thesis and demonstrate an original creative approach to the use of sound in all its richness as a means of storytelling. Recording for the programme should be primarily location based rather than studio.
The programmes and their subject matter should be situated within the broad range of cultural interests that lyric’s listeners have. It will be an advantage for any proposal if it demonstrates that it can be accompanied by strong written and visual content that can be used across other platforms on RTÉ such as the RTÉ Culture webpage.
Where programmes contain a significant amount of music it may be possible to extend the duration to 55 minutes. Exceptionally we may choose also to accept 3- or 4-part documentary series for this slot. These should provide a clear thematic rational for their number of episodes.
All applications should include the following. Each of the documents below should be no more than one page long.
The programmes will be broadcast during December 2025 but do not necessarily need to be Christmas themed.
Synopsis
The synopsis should include the main theme of the programme/series.
succinctly and clearly capture the substance of the programme/series. The synopsis should summarise the story to be told or the argument that to be advanced in the programme and should succinctly and clearly capture the substance of the programme/series.
It should also include key contributors and personnel, proposed or confirmed for the project
Gender balance and diversity should be considered when choosing contributors and other personnel.
Treatment
The treatment should describe the content of each programme including themes, storylines, relevant characters/ contributors, your approach to the narrative flow of the programme/series.
It should give not just the story line but an idea of how the story will be shaped.
It should also include the elements that will make up the sonic texture of the programme.
The preference is for non studio based programmes.
Christmas Specials 2025 important dates
RTÉ call-out opens: Friday, 20th June 2025
RTÉ call-out closes: Friday, 01st August 2025 at 5pm
RTÉ decision on successful applicants: Friday, 22nd August 2025
Final programme submission date: Friday, 12th December 2025
Please ensure you are fully registered as a supplier with RTÉ’s Independent Radio Productions. The registration form can be found here: https://about.rte.ie/irp/supplier-registration-form/. Late submissions due to late registration will not be accepted.
Submissions can be made using the online submission form which is available here: https://about.rte.ie/irp/submissions-form/
Budgets can be submitted to irp@rte.ie and the budget templates can be found here: https://about.rte.ie/irp/download-forms/