UK TV Talent Show Advice

Subject: BS: Idea for TV Talent Show?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 11 Apr 12 - 11:21 AM

I live in the UK, and I've got an idea for a TV talent show ( don't ask me what it is because, if I told you, I would then have to kill you!).
Anyway, I thought of approaching the BBC with the idea.
Now, has anyone out there any experience in this area?
For example:
Who should I approach?
How do I go about protecting my - original - idea?

Subject: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 11 Apr 12 - 04:31 PM

I've got what I think is a great - and controversial - idea for a UK TV Talent/Singing Show.
I think the BBC would be more likely to be interested in the idea than a commercial station.
Now, does anyone out there have any advice about how to go about approaching the BBC and, also, how do I protect/safeguard/copyright my concept.

BTW By mistake, earlier on, I posted this thread in the non-music section

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Anne Lister
Date: 11 Apr 12 - 05:54 PM

The BBC hardly ever commission programmes directly any more (so says my actor husband) and use production companies. Best advice then would be to find which production companies are most likely to be interested in your idea (check out what they're currently offering) and then find out the important people in those companies. My guess is that you'd find out a lot from the web and their websites, or careful reading of tv magazines like Radio Times, or investigate some of the industry publications.

As to how to copyright your idea - can't help there, I'm afraid, although you could do the old "send yourself a sealed letter by recorded delivery" wheeze, whereby you write your idea down and post it to yourself. The date on the package will prove that you had the idea at that point, if it ever came to the crunch. But I suspect there's not a lot of money in the idea alone, as what makes shows successful is a blend of design, presentation, camera work and other promotional stuff.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 03:21 AM

Anne, thanks for that. Very helpful.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Darowyn
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 03:54 AM

As someone who has tried to pitch an idea for something of the sort, I can say that it is the production companies that you need to approach.
It will help a lot if you have someone who is already very well known signed up to the idea. By "very well known", I mean well-known to the rather narrow-focussed, would-be-trendies who make these sorts of decisions.
My team included one of the UK music business'top music producers.
They did not know him.

The absence of a new music show on TV, and the absence of Ferraris and Bentleys in my drive indicate the degree of success we had.
The other deal breaker, apparently, was the fact that we were intending to include new and original music instead of the usual boring old covers.

As far as copyrighting the concept goes, it's not easy. Another music business contact of mine has told me all about the squabbles between the two Simons over the "Pop Idol" vs "X Factor" formats, and who stole what from whom (He also claims that the idea for both was his first anyway).
Until you get it on screen, on a major terrestrial channel, you've got no chance!
The very best of luck to you.
Just remember that you must not put anybody on the show who 'looks funny' unless the audience is allowed to laugh at them. It's Bread and Circuses, Tunesmith. Throw them to the lions!
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: theleveller
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 04:37 AM

Wow! Another talent show on TV - just what we've all been waiting for :)

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Barb'ry
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 05:01 AM

You have to be able to prove that the idea was yours before you take it anywhere - your 'intellectual copyright'. There's masses of stuff about it on Google, so it might be worth going through it.

Good luck

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 05:48 AM

1. The BBC will require you to sign a disclaimer that (inter alia) states that you realise that they might already independently have been considering something like whatever you were going to say - before they read anything you send them. And if you say "hang on, you might swindle me" they will say "But we are English gentlemen".   Of course they are. Tom Rivers (then at the BBC) was one of the main opponents of the "format right" that Hughie Green and I and Peter Smith then of Thames Television and the ITVA spent many years trying to get the government to consider. At one point Hesketh (then minister for film) swung his not inconsiderable weight behind it but then he moved on and a snake in the grass civil servant (who I am glad to say later had a nasty nervous breakdown) succeeded in his campaign of sabotage. It is fair to say that C4 were as irrationally obdurate.

2. There is no copyright in a format. Read Green -v- NZBC.

3. The only protection for a format is confidentiality and it expires when confidentiality is lost. I have some long articles I co-wrote that I could scan and send you copies of if I knew your email address. Don't put it on here but PM me.

4. There is a thing called FRAPA. Google it. The twerps behind it think (they used to be part of IPPA and PACT) think that a registry of formats can solve the problem which is plainly wishful thinking until there is a right.

5. You could try Freemantle or Endemol. Or any other production company whose name appears in the credits of any format show.

6. If you can locate a legal adviser called Amanda Harcourt she is well informed on this (in fact she used to be the legal godmother for Pop Idol), and she is not overpriced but not free either.

Please ignore well meaning but uninformed advice, and in particular US based advice. US law is substantially different.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: GUEST,JohnnyBeezer
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 07:16 AM

Tunesmith, unless you have already sorted your problem, please PM me direct. I believe I can put you on the straight and narrow.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 08:59 AM

Mr Beezer - you will have to join before you can receive PMs.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: GUEST,JohnnyBeezer
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 09:33 AM

Thank you Mr Bridge.
Very remiss of me.
I shall attend to immediately.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Tunesmith
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 10:31 AM

I've reset my cookies!

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 11:22 AM

Just a thought. Jasper Carrott is still well-known in the folk-music world, having been a one-time performer and having acted as agent for various others (for instance Harvey Andrews, who sometimes posts on Mudcat as a guest).

If you know him or know someone who knows him, he might be worth a shout. He's one of a rare breed - a one-time folkie who understands how to make money. He's familiar with the television world, having had his own show, and he was joint founder/owner of Celador, the company that created Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. (He sold his stake for millions.) No disrespect to Jasper, but if he invites you to supper, take a long spoon. Or your lawyer!

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: GUEST,JohnnyBeezer
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 11:35 AM

OK Tunesmith, I have asked Joe to re-member me after my lapse of a few years ago.
When he responds, I shall be able to ask you to email me if you are still needing assistance.

Subject: RE: UK TV Talent Show Advice
From: JohnnyBeezer
Date: 13 Apr 12 - 06:20 AM

Tunesmith, my membership has now been resurrected, so if you are still looking to progress your idea, please PM me and we'll see what we can do.