Using PiCoS to send programme ideas to the BBC

PiCoS is the system for UK-based production companies to submit content proposals to the BBC.

Eligible companies must register for a PiCoS account before submitting a proposal and must read and accept the PiCoS terms and conditions. Please see the Eligibility criteria section for further information about who is eligible to use PiCoS.

Individuals and members of the public cannot use PiCoS, as the system is designed for use by production companies only. However, we are passionate about finding and growing new on and off-screen talent. To find out more about how we can help you grow your career please visit the Skills and training area.

PiCoS is designed to simplify the way we manage and track proposals and allows us to monitor whether we’re operating within the Code of practice. We receive over 10,000 proposals a year and time with commissioners is limited so meetings will always be based upon the merit of the proposal submitted through PiCoS. The system does not replace any of the creative conversations with BBC commissioning teams.

How PiCoS works

Once successfully registered with an account on PiCoS users can submit content proposals to BBC commissioners via the PiCoS dashboard.

Users must specify a genre and relevant commissioner to submit the proposal to. Users will need to withdraw and resubmit a proposal if they wish to change the commissioner or genre during the process.

Each proposal submitted through PiCoS is automatically and securely logged with a unique proposal number for reference.

Copyright: The BBC is a signatory to the APC code of practice (pdf) which provides guidance around the submission and handling of proposals for broadcast and online content. This code forms part of the PiCoS terms and conditions.

User guides for the system can be found on the Academy website.

Eligibility criteria

PiCoS accounts are for proposals for Network or Nations originated content from UK based independent production companies who have either had:

(a) A BBC TV commission in the last three years (including BBC Films shown on a BBC UK platform)

(b) A TV commission for original content from another major UK broadcaster or SVOD platform available in UK in the last three years

Audio producers should visit the Radio commissioning website for specific eligibility information.

Permissions will be assigned based on a company’s credits for the originated content, not on an individual person’s role or the provision of productions services.

At their discretion, commissioners may also grant access to companies who would not meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria along with production company accounts are regularly reviewed.

The system is not for the following groups/people:

Members of the public. Visit the Skills and training page for other ways to work with us
Individual production professionals or individuals seeking employment. Visit the Supplying the BBC or BBC Careers site instead
Production companies based outside the UK. Strands with an international focus such as Storyville can be contacted directly
Companies without production capability (ie agents)
Companies in UK or abroad proposing acquisitions. See the Acquisitions page for alternative contact methods
Organisations providing goods or production services. Visit the Supplying the BBC site instead
Those with film script ideas including comedy film scripts should visit the BBC Film website

BBC Studios should direct ideas to their relevant genre head of development for consideration in the first instance.

How to register

Before registering please carefully read the:

Please complete the 'Register you company' form on PiCoS as thoroughly as possible to help us process applications efficiently. Account registrations are subject to review and approval before they are confirmed or declined. This may take a while during busy periods.

A company should only be registered once. Each user within a company should have their own account.

Groups: individual production companies who are part of a group should register separately. If proposals are submitted under an individual production company name, then that company should be registered.

Multiple bases: a company with more than one base can choose to register each base separately. It's important to include the location in the company title ie 'Production Company Name (North)' etc.

The following information is required when registering:

The company name and parent company if applicable, the address, website, email and telephone number
Information for a company profile: list in descending chronological order any eligible production credits with the year of transmission
Any previous names the company has been known by
An identified person who will act as the account administrator for the company
Supplier type: please note that the term 'non-qualifying independent' is defined in the Communications Act 2002. Find out more about our Quotas and targets (pdf)

If no acknowledgment email is received within an hour of registering then please check your spam filter or junk folder and make sure '[email protected]' is set as a recognised email address.

If there is no acknowledgment email in any folder then the BBC have not received the application. In the event of a problem, please contact PiCoS support.

Account administrator

Each company should have one account and the account administrator will be able to add additional users as required. The account administrator is responsible for:

Being the key contact for the company's PiCoS account
Keeping the company profile information up to date
Adding and suspending users
Updating a change in the account administrator by nominating another user to take responsibility for the account. Further details about changing users can be found on the Academy website PiCoS page

Important: If an administrator is unavailable or leaves the company it's important that the role is handed over to another user. The BBC is unable to carry out the above duties on behalf of a company account, this is the responsibility of the company administrator. For queries about supplier access to ex-colleague administrator accounts please contact PiCoS support.

Username and password

New accounts

Once a registration is accepted, the account administrator will be sent their username and password to the email address supplied on the application.

The email will come from '[email protected]'. This invitation will expire after seven days. If your invitation expires, please contact PiCoS support.

Passwords

When a new user is added to an account a password will be sent to the email address entered by the account administrator. The email will come from '[email protected]'. Please check junk and spam folders if it appears that no email has been received.

BBC users access PiCoS via the same login details as their BBC desktop.

Users can change their password via 'Manage settings' on the BBC Login page.

Password security and resetting your password

New passwords are automatically generated and can only be sent to the registered email account associated with that username
For security reasons, once a password is changed the BBC does not have access to the new password. There is no centrally maintained list of passwords
Do not share account passwords with anyone else
Passwords must have at least eight characters and contain both letters and numbers

An account will be locked if an incorrect password is entered six times. This is an intentional security feature designed to protect accounts. If an account is locked please use the 'Reset you password’ link from the BBC Login page.

New registration applications should not be submitted for forgotten/lost passwords. These will be rejected.

Submitting a proposal

Once an account has been approved, proposals can be submitted by logging into the account and clicking the ‘Create a new proposal’ button. Find step-by-step instructions for submitting a proposal on the Academy website PiCoS page.

If there are technical problems submitting a proposal please contact PiCoS support. Any queries regarding your proposal should be directed to the commissioning teams.