BBC, Screen Scotland and Glasgow-based training provider TRC have now revealed the six indies taking part in new programme SuperSizing Entertainment Formats.
Developed with the ambition of finding the next exciting entertainment format to capture imaginations and get audiences talking, the fully funded programme will run from November 2025 to April 2026.
The initiative will support BBC Entertainment and BBC Scotland’s aspiration to find ambitious and distinctive entertainment formats to develop as potential co-commissions., with a commitment to build the Scottish entertainment industry by spotlighting Scotland based ideas and talent.
Building on the success of FormatLab, TRC’s training programme designed to nurture the next generation of entertainment development talent in Scotland, this new programme reinforces TRC’s role in championing the companies behind original, market-ready formats that reflect the creative ambition of Scotland’s screen sector.
In addition to regular training, delegates will benefit from case studies and masterclasses led by former entertainment and factual entertainment format devisers, offering invaluable insights into both UK and international markets, as well as dedicated one-to-one support from the BBC, providing tailored guidance to refine their slate and help shape ideas into compelling scalable formats.
The selected participants are:
- David Marshall and Ronan Osborne, Tern TV
- Edwina Madden-Egan and Tom McNerney, Tuesday’s Child
- Rob Butterfield and Lucy Bacon, Ricochet
- Danny Rawling and Martha Lochhead, Beezr Studios
- Ryan Meloy and Zara Duncan, Bandicoot TV
- Ian Greenhill and Sadie Heather, Studio Something
This programme is funded by the BBC and Screen Scotland. Screen Scotland drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland said:
“This is an important step in our search for the next big entertainment television formats of the future. It’s great to see our first cohort getting started and we’re excited to see what ambitious original ideas emerge from them.”
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC says:
“One of the most exciting elements of this programme is witnessing the incredible passion and creativity of the cohort we’ve selected. Each of these delegates bring a distinctive voice and a real hunger to develop bold ideas that can capture audiences’ imaginations as well as boost the creator economy in Scotland. Really looking forward to getting started.”
Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted at Screen Scotland said:
“This programme is a game-changer for Scotland’s entertainment indies. It brings together the BBC’s commissioning insight, TRC’s proven development expertise and Screen Scotland’s commitment to growth — creating a pipeline for bold, original formats with real market potential. It will strengthen our creative economy, expand Scotland’s footprint in the global formats market, and unlock new opportunities.”
Claire Scally, Managing Director of TRC commented:
“We were impressed by the calibre of applications received for our new SuperSizing Entertainment Formats programme and are excited to announce the successful companies. With the support of the BBC and Screen Scotland, the companies will learn how to shape ideas into compelling, scalable formats that celebrate the Scottish voice. We look forward to continuing to support the developing entertainment sector in Scotland.”
The BBC, Screen Scotland and leading broadcast and digital training provider TRC, have come together in partnership with the ambition of finding the next exciting entertainment format to capture imaginations and get audiences talking.
Supersizing Entertainment Formats will be open to independent production companies based in Scotland and will run from November 2025 to April 2026. The fully funded training programme has been developed to support BBC Entertainment and BBC Scotland’s aspiration to find ambitious and distinctive entertainment formats to develop as potential co-commissions. Central to this vision is a commitment to growing big ideas from Scotland, seeing talent in Scotland on network screens and building the entertainment industry in the country.
Through a combination of in-person training, masterclasses, cases studies and business advice, successful applicants will learn what it takes to develop impactful formats of scale and benefit from direct access to experienced entertainment executives who’ve built global hits and returning series.
Louise Thornton, Senior Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland: “Scotland is full of creative talent and we know the next big smash hit entertainment format could be sitting here, we just need to find it. We have a great heritage in scripted and unscripted factual brands and now we want to support growth in the entertainment genre. This training programme is a catalyst which will nurture and support the development of ideas that could be tomorrow’s next television obsession. Working alongside our partners Screen Scotland and TRC I am excited to see what ideas and formats this new training programme can spark.”
Kalpna Patel Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says: “We are passionate about discovering bold, original entertainment formats that resonate with audiences across the UK and beyond. Supersizing Entertainment Formats is a brilliant opportunity to tap into Scotland’s creative energy and support the next generation of standout ideas. We can’t wait to see which ambitious ideas emerge from this initiative”
Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted at Screen Scotland said: “We’re thrilled to join forces with BBC Scotland, BBC Entertainment and TRC on this ambitious new initiative. It’s all about unlocking potential — giving Scotland-based production companies the insight and tools they need to lead the way in entertainment, at home and across the globe.”
Claire Scally, Managing Director of TRC commented: “Following the success of FormatLab, our training programme aimed at creating the next wave of entertainment development talent in Scotland, we are delighted to launch SuperSizing Entertainment Formats, a new programme developed in partnership with BBC Entertainment, BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland. This programme will empower creative teams to shape bold scalable TV formats and position them for success on the global stage. We look forward to continuing to support the developing entertainment sector in Scotland.”
This programme is funded by the BBC and Screen Scotland. Screen Scotland drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Details and T&C’s of SuperSizing Entertainment Formats can be found here. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 5th November 2025, 5.00pm.
Following Broadcast’s recent Hot Shots announcement, we are very proud to see so many of our TRC alumni featured in four of the different categories.
Iqbal Khokhar, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Post/Craft
Iqbal joined the industry as an Edit Assistant through the rad Scotland 2021 scheme and has since gained broadcast and SVODs credits for Amazon Prime, BBC, CH4, CH5, Sky, Discovery+ and Netflix.
Isha Krishnan, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Production managers
Isha started her career in the industry in 2021 through rad Scotland and has since established herself as a Junior Production Co-ordinator, working with Red Sky Productions since her traineeship.
Ella Jackson, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Researchers & Aps
Ella took part in the 2022/23 edition of our development programme SuperSizer whilst at BBC Pacific Quay and was one of the three development executives to win our Ben Frow pitching challenge. At the time she commented: “Being part of SuperSizer has been a game-changer. It’s given me the opportunity not only to develop my confidence and professional skills, but to establish an inspiring new network of programme-makers. Having the chance to pitch to Ben Frow and his team was a truly amazing and memorable experience – and hopefully the start of many more creative conversations to come!”
Connie Sneddon, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Development Producers
Connie joined our latest SuperSizer edition in 2023 as a Development Producer for IWC Media, where she secured two season of reality show ‘The Agency: Unfiltered’. She commented on her participation to SuperSizer:
“Getting to meet all the SuperSizers in person on multiple occasions really allowed me to solidify new relationships with people at other companies and meeting with so many impressive people on each session was invaluable. However, meeting so many commissioners during our week in London is what helped both my career and company the most. Getting facetime with commissioners I want to pitch to in the future, seeing how they are in person and hearing what they were looking for was hugely helpful to both myself and IWC.”
Congratulations to Iqbal, Isha, Ella and Connie for this achievement! We look forward to seeing the amazing contributions you’ll continue to make in the world of television.