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Submission for the 2020/21 TV Programme Commissioning is now open:

Genres of Commissioning (1st Season)

Submission Deadline

Drama (Single Episode)

20 March 2020

(5:00 p.m.) (Closed)

New Talent Drama (Single Episode)

New Talent Drama (Series)

Documentary (Single Episode – Half Hour)

Documentary (Single Episode – One Hour)

Documentary (Series)

New TV Format (Series)


Download Forms

 

Application Form
Short-listed proposals must submit production budget in the format provided herein:
Budget Form (for Drama) [Inquiry Password]
Budget Form (for Documentary) [Inquiry Password]
Budget Form (for New TV Format) [Inquiry Password]
Agreement (for Drama / Documentary - Single Episode & Series / New TV Format Series)
Agreement (for New Talent Drama - Single Episode / Series)
Reference for audit report
The Hong Kong CPA Practice Directory:
https://www.hkicpa.org.hk/app/hkicpa_app/practicedirectory/index.php

 

A. Programme Commissioning
B. Eligibility
C. Commissioning Funding
D. 2020/21 Topics for TV Commissioning Programmes
E. Procedures of Commissioning
F. Enquiry

 

A. Programme Commissioning

Programme Commissioning is an open platform for independent producers to exhibit their creativity. By doing so, we aim to help building up Hong Kong's independent television programme production industry. Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) provides 100% funding in the form of equity and owns 100% of the copyright to the programme.

The types of programme RTHK will commission are:
i) Drama
ii) Documentary
iii) New TV Format

 

B. Eligibility

1.  In order to be considered eligible to apply for RTHK's Programme Commissioning, an applicant must be a company registered in Hong Kong with major business activities related to film or television programme production or distribution. Such company does not hold any broadcast license and is not affiliated to any broadcasters.


2. Application to New Talent Drama (Single Episode) and New Talent Drama (Series)
In addition to the requirements cited above, these categories aim to nurture new directors. The director of the New Talent Drama category must be someone who has never directed any television drama with duration over 20 minutes prior to this application.  The director of the New Talent Drama (Series) must be someone who has never directed any serial drama with duration over 20 minutes per episode prior to this application.

 

C. Commissioning Funding

1. Single episode

1.1 Single-episode Drama, Single-episode New Talent Drama and Single-episode Documentary

  • Main theme of Single-episode Drama, Single-episode New Talent Drama and Single-episode Documentary will be decided by RTHK from time to time.  The duration of each episode will be 44.5 minutes for Drama, 26 minutes for New Talent Drama and 22 minutes or 52 minutes for Documentary.

  • The production budget for each episode of:

    • 44.5-minute Drama shall be no more than HK$600,000.

    • 26-minute New Talent Drama, shall be no more than HK$200,000.

    • 22-minute Documentary, shall be no more than HK$200,000.

    • 52-minute Documentary, shall be no more than HK$350,000.


2. Mini-Series
2.1 Documentary Series

  • Topic may be provided by RTHK or proposed by the applicant.  Free topic is allowed so as to attract new programme ideas or innovative programme format.
  • Each series will consist of 5 episodes of the same theme, and each episode should be 22 minutes in duration.
  • Production budget shall be no more than HK$1.4 million.

2.2 New Talent Drama (Series)

  • Free Topic

  • 6-episode serial drama (HD productions of 26 minutes per episode)  (sequels with same leading roles and a continuous plot or non-sequels with the same theme)

  • Production budget shall be no more than HK$1.2 million.

2.3 New TV Format (Series)

  • Free Topic

  • 6-episode series (HD productions of 26 minutes per episode)
  • Production budget shall be no more than HK$1.2 million.


 

D. 2020/21 Topics for TV Commissioning Programmes

A. Single-episode Drama

Topic: Free Topic (Below the Lion Rock 2020)

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A 44.5-minute HD drama episode
  • Production budget: no more than HK$600,000

B. New Talent Drama (Single Episode)

Topic: Free Topic

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A 26-minute HD drama episode

  • Production budget: no more than HK$200,000


C. New Talent Drama (Series)

Topic: Free Topic

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • 6-episode serial drama (HD productions of 26 minutes per episode) (sequels with same leading roles and a continuous plot)

  • 6-episode serial drama (HD productions of 26 minutes per episode) (non-sequels with the same theme)

  • The series could be directed by more than one director or by different directors who are eligible per the requirements of application under this category.

  • Production budget: no more than HK$1.2 million


D. Single-episode Documentary (Half Hour)

Topic (1): China Stories

2020 is a landmark year for China.

The leaders’ dream of a revival of the Chinese: domestically, they want to be rid of poverty and move towards a well-off living standard in the new decade; internationally, they want to set the blueprint for a rising power. However, the weakening in the domestic economy and deteriorating external environment, including the US-China trade tensions, making it a risk for ensuring economic growth and social stability.

Each episode of “China Stories” shows audience by presenting them with stories, characters and images, in the hope that they may shed light on what the Chinese think, do, and care about now and how do the Chinese go through those enormous challenges.

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A 22-minute HD single-episode documentary.
  • Real stories with real characters; Preference will be given to those with experience of filming in Mainland China.

  • Production budget: no more than HK$200,000.

  • Suitable for prime-time broadcast on Chinese language television channel.


Topic (2): Taiwan Stories

Hong Kong's extradition bill crisis began in 2019, the public's opposition to the bill was widespread. Hong Kong has recently seen a rising trend of emigration to Taiwan, but not too many of us really understand this island.  Through the characters, stories and images, “Taiwan Stories” take its audience across the strait, travel through its harbours and alleys, and visit various communities to observe its livelihood. 

Come with us to stroll through the island of Taiwan, maybe you will see a different Taiwan too.

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A 22-minute HD single-episode documentary.

  • Real stories with real characters; filming location should be mainly in Taiwan.Preference will be given to local stories taking place in Taiwan.

  • Production budget: no more than HK$200,000.

  • Suitable for prime-time broadcast on Chinese language television channel.

Topic (3): Caring for our community

This new series of documentary (single-episode) will show you people from different countries, territories and ethnicities, who are pursuing the same goals and present you stories of love and care. We wish to record the little stories and explore the importance of humanity with our camera in metropolises or even in small towns, and to look at life through people's stories, thereby displaying the colours of humanity and universal values, as well as how people's dignity and life are safeguarded.

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A 22-minute HD single-episode documentary.

  • Real stories with real characters; Preference will be given to stories outside China, Taiwan & Hong Kong

  • Production budget: no more than HK$200,000.

  • Suitable for prime-time broadcast on Chinese language television channel.


E. Single-episode Documentary (One Hour)

Topic: Vanishing Memory … Searching the footprints

The year 2020 is the beginning of a new decade and is also the beginning of each of the vanishes.

Speedy technological advances lead to a surge in creativity and productivity.  The unbound telecommunication technology brings convenience unimagined before. These advances change the pace of our living, subvert our culture, re-draw the city landscape and deplete the natural resources. What was treasured and co-existed with humanity before are fading out of sight unaware.

This one-hour documentary aims at searching for the vanishing memory and documenting the footprints.

Explore the various ethnic groups in different corners of the world and see how they safeguard those vanishing on the dial of time.

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A 52-minute HD single-episode documentary.

  • Real stories with real characters; Preference will be given to stories outside Hong Kong

  • Production budget: no more than HK$350,000.

  • Suitable for prime-time broadcast on Chinese language television channel.

F. Documentary Series

Topic: Free topic

We are inviting proposals with the following contents:

  • A documentary series of 5 episodes on the same topic.
  • HD production of 22 minutes per episode.

  • Real stories with real characters

  • Production budget for the whole series: no more than HK$1.4 million.

  • Suitable for prime-time broadcast on Chinese language television channel.


G. New TV Format (Series)

Topic: Free topic

The criteria of this New TV Format are as follows:

  • 6-episode new TV format series - HD productions of 26 minutes per episode (One underlying main theme for the whole series of 6 episodes)

  • The new TV format series with one main theme should creatively and format-wise be different from conventional genres like drama, documentary or animation. The series which can be developed into subsequent or continuous episodes are preferred. (For example: unconventional reality shows, alternative travelogues, ground-breaking magazine shows, etc.)

  • The series can be directed by more than one director or by different directors.

  • Production budget: no more than HK$1.2 million.


 

E. Procedures of Commissioning

1. Evaluations for this year's Programme Commissioning Exercise take place in one session.  The sought topics, programme formats and requirements, as well as the deadlines for application, are listed in this webpage (http://app4.rthk.hk/special/tvcommissioning/application_e.php). Application forms and standard production budget forms are also available for download in the above-mentioned RTHK webpage.

2. Applicants need to submit their application with i) programme idea and story outline (For the application of New TV Format, applicants should provide the “programme structure” instead of “story outline”; in addition, set and props ideas (optional) are recommended for better understanding and visualization.), ii) project details and iii) a copy of Business Registration Certificate before the respective submission deadlines.  Applications can be sent by registered mail or courier to RTHK TV Commissioning Unit, Television Division, Radio Television Hong Kong, 1A Broadcast Drive, Kowloon.  Submission via mail will be validated by the date of the postmark.  Applications submitted in person must be dropped into the designated collection box located at G/F Lobby, Television Division, Radio Television Hong Kong, 1A Broadcast Drive, Kowloon before the submission deadline (late submissions will not be processed).  Proposals received will be given a reference number, acknowledged and kept sealed until the deadline of each session.

* Be environmentally friendly, please print on both sides.

3. The information filed in the application form by the applicant has the same force and effect as if made under oath.If it is discovered that there is any falsification in the application, we will cancel the application and reserve the right to take legal actions against the applicant.

4. Assessment Criteria of the first round selection:

Assessment Criteria Drama/Documentary/
New TV Format
New Talent Drama
Creativity 40% 50%
Relevance to the theme 30% 30%
Feasibility 30% 20%
Total Score
(Passing Mark: 60)
100% 100%

 

5. For proposals that have been short-listed, applicants will be given 4 weeks' time to submit the required items listed as below:

5.1 Single-Episode Drama

a. Detailed project proposal includes : detailed scenes list, shooting locations (proposed or confirmed), lists of casting (proposed or confirmed), full list of key production team members and their CVs, director's showcase (please submit DVD, if any), production schedule, technical specifications and a copy of the company's business registration certificate. 

b. Production budget


5.2 New Talent Drama (Single Episode)

a. Detailed project proposal includes: detailed scenes list, shooting locations (proposed or confirmed), lists of casting (proposed or confirmed), full list of key production team members and their CVs, director's showcase (please submit DVD, if any), production schedule, technical specifications and a copy of the company's business registration certificate. 

b. Production budget


5.3 New Talent Drama (Series)

a. Detailed project proposal includes: detailed scenes list for all episodes, shooting locations (proposed or confirmed), lists of casting (proposed or confirmed), full list of key production team members and their CVs, director's showcase (please submit DVD, if any), production schedule, technical specifications and a copy of the company's business registration certificate.

b. Production budget


5.4 Single-Episode Documentary & Documentary Series

a. Detailed project proposal includes : Programme concept, case background information, preliminary research report, synopsis, treatment & shooting locations, list of interviewees, full list of key production team members and their CVs, director's showcase (please submit DVD, if any), production schedule, technical specifications, a copy of the company's business registration certificate.

b. Production budget


5.5 New TV Format (Series)

a. Detailed project proposal includes: Programme concept, detailed synopsis of all 6 episodes, shooting locations (proposed or confirmed), list of hosts, guests and participants (proposed or confirmed), full list of key production team members and their CVs, director's showcase (please submit DVD, if any), production schedule, technical specifications and a copy of the company's business registration certificate.

b. Production budget


6. Short-listed applicants must submit the detailed project proposal and the production budget in the form of “two-envelope in envelope” (as shown below).  The detailed project proposal and the production budget should be enclosed in two separate envelopes, clearly marked with the words “Detailed Project Proposal” and “Production Budget” respectively, together with the application reference on the outside of the envelope.  The two envelopes shall then be placed inside a sealed envelope and delivered in the manner as required.  Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

two-envelope in envelope

 

7. Short-listed candidates of all types of commissioning programmes will be invited to interview. External members, namely, academics from universities' communications department, executive producer or producers from television or film industry, professionals related to the commissioning topics etc., may be invited to the assessment panel to assist in the evaluation. Assessment will be based on creativity, content originality, enhanced ideas to illustrate the theme, production feasibility, relevant expertise, track record, crew members' profile and experience, equipment and facilities support and producer's performance during interview.  The production budget will be examined separately by RTHK Programme Commissioning Team.


8. All applicants will be notified of the results within three weeks after interview.

 

F. Enquiry

tvcommissioning@rthk.hk