Channel 5 Call-Out: Seeking Fresh, Accessible TV Ideas
Channel 5 is on the lookout for exciting new TV projects with broad appeal and strong storytelling. If you have a unique story to tell, this is your chance to pitch to one of the UK’s top broadcasters.
Important: Submissions will only be accepted if you are partnering with a production company that has a proven track record.
What they are looking for:
4-to-6 Part Thrillers
Domestic in tone, tackling issues that could be front-page tabloid news.
Targeting the 9pm slot.
Cosy Crime
Traditional, formulaic, and escapist—think Madame Blanc Mysteries.
Ideal for the 8-9pm slot.
Highbrow Detective
Intellectual crime stories, ideally based on existing IP like Frost, Morse, or Vera.
Community Stories
Warm, relationship-driven tales with broader themes of community (e.g., All Creatures Great and Small).
Can be period and soft in tone.
Suited for the 8-9pm slot.
True Crime Drama
Based on well-known real-life events.
Maximum budget of £1M per episode.
Key Considerations:
Channel 5’s audience is primarily outside London, with a strong viewership in the North of England, non-metropolitan areas, and the lower middle class.
They are open to working with breakthrough talent—new directors, writers, and producers are encouraged, but projects must have an experienced production company attached.
How to Submit:
1️⃣ Create Your FREE SMASH Pitch – Add logline, synopsis, format, setting, creative team, and financing details.
2️⃣ Ensure Your Project Fits the Brief – has a production company attached, fits the genre brief
3️⃣ Submit Your Project to the Call Out – Selected projects will be reviewed by Channel 5 for a potential SMATCH
About Channel 5
Channel 5 is one of the UK’s leading free-to-air broadcasters, delivering a diverse range of bold, accessible, and entertaining content that resonates with audiences across the nation. Known for its distinctive mix of drama, factual programming, documentaries, and entertainment, Channel 5 creates television that is both informative and engaging while reflecting the lives and interests of its viewers.
Since its launch in 1997, Channel 5 has built a reputation for commissioning original British programming alongside popular international acquisitions. The network is home to hit dramas (All Creatures Great and Small, Dalgliesh), gripping factual series (Inside the Tower of London, Police: Night Shift 999), impactful documentaries (Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, The Yorkshire Vet), and thought-provoking current affairs.
With a strong focus on storytelling that connects with real people, Channel 5 continues to champion new talent while working with established creatives to bring fresh, high-quality content to screens. As part of Paramount Global, the channel benefits from a global reach while maintaining its unique British identity and audience-first approach.