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As part of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s commitment to young audiences, we’re looking for at least five factual singles for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Three that are made for viewing on YouTube, in addition to iPlayer.

This opportunity is for five qualifying indies to each make one 30 minute single current affairs documentary. The stories must be primarily set in the UK, and we’ll be working with our colleagues across the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Nations where relevant.

We would like the films delivered from February 2026.

Editorial brief

We’re looking for provocative, homegrown stories with original journalism of relevance to our 16-34 audience. 

They should be agenda-setting films uncovering arresting characters, voices or perspectives set primarily in the UK. They need to grab attention by exploring a riveting world, telling a gripping story, or showing confronting perspectives that reflect issues facing young Brits today and add to their understanding of the world.

The film should aim to drive traction and engagement on YouTube. It may be worth considering the potential YouTube title that will drive engagement as well as the overall documentary title in your pitch.

We have seen how spiky and edgy worlds and characters – whether meeting criminals in evocative situations, survivors of life-threatening attacks, young people with extreme lives or people on the edge of danger or facing injustice - can make for engaging YouTube editorial. The story might explore a person or group who have been caught up in something morally complex, outlandish, or criminal.

Rooting stories in a particular community or region of the UK can also help but is not essential. Unique access may also help ideas stand out. If they are presenter-led, we want to see consideration given to your use of exciting young talent and evidence of how they will connect with 16-34 year-olds.

Ideas need to appeal to today’s audience on YouTube and iPlayer - so we want you to think about how your ideas can innovate in style and tone and serve a genuine and evidenced need for the 16-34 audience. This audience sees a lot of factual media in their day to day lives. Winning ideas need to truly stand out in this crowded marketplace and provoke emotion amongst young audiences.

Some ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Three examples that have worked well in previous years: Inside Britain’s Kidnap Gangs, (ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Three YouTube), Shame In The Game: Racism In Football (ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Three YouTube), Defending Digga D, Nudes4Sale, Hunting the Rolex Rippers, Secrets of the Multi-Level Millionaires: Ellie Undercover, Hard Up.

Eligibility

Producers must be:

• UK-based 
• have produced at least one longform (minimum 20 minute) documentary for a UK audience for a broadcaster, streaming platform, OR YouTube publisher

How to apply

The deadline for submissions is 6 October 2025

Suppliers may submit up to two ideas for consideration.

For consideration, please submit the following information to Nasfim Haque via PiCoS:

• An editorial proposal of up to three-pages which summarises your idea. Be clear on the story, access status, proposed talent where relevant, as well as any considerations around compliance
• Confirmation of having an existing UK substantive base, where that is, and on what basis it qualifies
• An outline of recent experience (in the last five years) of developing and delivering at least one long form documentary (minimum 20 minutes), for a UK audience for a broadcaster, streaming platform OR YouTube publisher.

If you don’t have an existing ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ PiCoS account or do not meet the PiCoS eligibility criteria please email Nasfim outlining how you meet the base and experience criteria listed above to gain access.

Commissioning timetable

The deadline for submissions is 6 October 2025.

Should any ideas be selected for further development or commission, we would seek to confirm this by early November 2025. Further development would be funded and subject to the usual conditions.

We anticipate five producers will be taken forward to further development or commission.

We would like the film delivered from February 2026.

Terms

• We anticipate, but do not undertake to, commissioning up to five 1 x 30 minute documentaries (one per indie) which would be contracted on standard prevailing New Media Framework.
• Unsuccessful suppliers will be notified as soon as practicable, and feedback may be requested.
• The funding available is between £100,000-£140,000 for the 30 minute film, subject to agreed editorial, production schedule and programme delivery to include all costs, fees, and overheads.
• The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Three head of content and current affairs commissioner will review the eligibility criteria alongside the editorial proposals and evaluate against the editorial brief.

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