is the system for UK-based production companies to submit content proposals to the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ.
Eligible companies must register for a PiCoS account before submitting a proposal and must read and accept the . 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 weβre 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ commissioning teams.
How PiCoS works
Once successfully registered with an account on PiCoS users can submit content proposals to ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ is a signatory to the 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ TV commission in the last three years (including ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Films shown on a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 companyβs credits for the originated content, not on an individual personβs 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ or 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ site instead
- Those with film script ideas including comedy film scripts should visit the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Film website
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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
If no acknowledgment email is received within an hour of registering then please check your spam filter or junk folder and make sure 'picos@bbc.co.uk' is set as a recognised email address.
If there is no acknowledgment email in any folder then the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 'no-reply.bbclogin@bbc.co.uk'. 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 'no-reply.bbclogin@bbc.co.uk'. Please check junk and spam folders if it appears that no email has been received.
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ users access PiCoS via the same login details as their ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ desktop.
Users can change their password via 'Manage settings' on the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 passwordβ link from the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ 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 βCreate a new proposalβ 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.
System requirements
PiCoS is operational on the following browsers and across a number of mobile devices:
- Google Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
Queries and support
If you have any queries, problems or would like to submit feedback please complete the . For urgent queries please email PiCoS support.
Links and further resources
Break into broadcast
Explore the site
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Briefs and contacts
Commissioners and ideas -
Supporting indies
How we commission and work -
Skills and training
Industry training and skills development