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BBC’s Kate Phillips calls for cost-effective quiz and gameshows in ‘tough times’

MIPCOM: UK pubcaster the BBC is looking to commission cost-effective quiz and gameshows with fast-paced gameplay, clear USPs, understandable concepts and comedic celebrity hosts.

Kate Phillips

Kate Phillips, director of unscripted at the BBC, outlined her programming needs in Cannes today at a BBC Studios (BBCS) content showcase called The Power of Game & Quiz.

During the session, a roomful of global buyers were shown clips of BBCS titles such as The Answer Run, Silence is Golden, The 1% Club, Weakest Link and In With a Shout.

Phillips explained the elements that need to be in place before she greenlights a daytime format. “Daytime slots can be the nursery slopes towards primetime,” she said. “When we’re developing a quiz in daytime, we’re always looking to see if it has the potential to go prime.

“ITV ramped up daytime with shows such as The Chase and Tipping Point, so we’ve got to have something really strong to go against them in those blocks.

“They should have a simple USP that works alongside great production values and talent. I like shows to get on with it and start the questions within three minutes [of the show starting]. We don’t want quizzes that make our viewers feel stupid, otherwise they’ll switch off.”

When considering pitches for new primetime formats, or promoting daytime shows to evening slots, Phillips says that hosts “with a lot of energy” can help, as can the potential to produce both daytime and primetime versions of the same show to cut costs.

“The big advantage is cost-efficiency,” she said. “If you’re doing a daytime series, you can also make your primetime celebrity series off the back of it. You can produce the shows quickly and get big celebrity names because they know they’re not needed for long. It’s a win-win all round.

“Celebrity presenters can be important when you’re up against rival channels with their own big names. In primetime, hosts need to have big entertainment value and comedy chops.

“A clever show title can help us to market a show too. For example, In With a Shout is great because the show is about shouting out the answer, while a show like I Literally Just Told You has the USP in the title.”

The BBCS showcase heard that, in 2023, just a quarter of new formats were game or quizshows. However, that proportion rose to one-third in 2024.

“I’m not surprised because TV is going through a tough time at the moment and these formats are cost-effective,” said Philips. “You can literally record an entire series in two days, you know the audience you’re aiming at and these shows provide habit-forming viewing.

“In these uncertain times, quiz and gameshows give certainty and a lot of play-along fun.”

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