23rd June 2026, London: UKTV and BBC Entertainment have unveiled a joint co-commissioning brief, inviting production companies to pitch bold new comedy entertainment formats. The resulting 10 x 30’ series will premiere on U&Dave and UKTV’s free streaming service U, before airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Marking a first-of-its-kind collaboration between UKTV and BBC Entertainment, the partnership combines commissioning budgets to support a scalable, cost-efficient comedy format designed for high-volume viewing across both streaming and linear audiences.
The brief calls for a fresh, funny and distinctive concept, aligned with both broadcasters’ comedic sensibilities – light, warm and driven by camaraderie, with a strong, repeatable format that works for both binge viewing and dipping in and out. Talent should combine established and emerging comedic voices, anchored by at least one audience-drawing name.
Production companies are invited to submit ideas, with the process being jointly led by UKTV’s Mark Iddon and Jason Dawson, alongside BBC Entertainment commissioners Pinki Chambers and Sarah Clay.
Hilary Rosen, UKTV's Director of Commissioning, said: “Laughter is the order of the day and collaborating with BBC Public Service in this space has been a long-standing ambition. UKTV has a strong track record of investing in innovative comedy formats, and this partnership feels like an excellent next step. By using our combined commissioning power we can work with production companies to create something fresh and funny for audiences across both of our networks.”
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC said: “We are really looking forward to this exciting new partnership with UKTV. We hope to discover a brand-new format that is bursting with big laughs and big personalities that viewers will want to return to on both the BBC and UKTV.”
Submissions are now open to eligible UK-based independent production companies with pitches to be submitted to bbcuktvsubmissions@uktv.co.uk until the deadline of July 31st.
The full commissioning brief can be found here.
*ENDS*
For further information please contact:
Rebecca Ferris, Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
About UKTV
UKTV is a leading British broadcaster and content company and the operator of U, its free streaming service in the UK. UKTV operates a portfolio of channel brands spanning comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama. Programmes on its free-to-air brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY and U&eden – are available in the UK via the free streaming service U, as well as through Freeview, Freesat, Freely, Sky, and Virgin Media.
U is the streaming home for UKTV’s free-to-air channel brands in the UK, providing on-demand access to thousands of hours of programming, including original commissions, acquisitions and archive titles.
UKTV’s pay TV brands – U&GOLD and U&alibi – are available in the UK via Sky, Virgin Media and NOW. In Ireland, UKTV channels are available via Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. UKTV also operates dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.
UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity, commissioning original content and working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers across genres.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK’s most-awarded production company and commercial subsidiary of the BBC.