RTÉ 2 is commissioning another round of its low-budget documentary strand Reality Bites, advising producers that it is in the market for "entertaining proposals" that fit into this series of "popular docs with an edge".
The broadcaster admits itself that at €55,000 per 50-minute programme, the budget is “challenging” and “innovation” may be the key to success.
“Entertainment on RTÉ2 needs to be about contemporary, brave, relevant and exciting propositions aimed squarely at the very discerning 15- to 34-year-old market,” the commissioning brief reads.
Past editions of Reality Bites include: F**k Cancer (Louise McSharry on her treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma), The Gun Show (Keith Walsh on six packs), Skin Deep (Sinead Kennedy on tattoos) and several programmes presented by Maia Dunphy, Vogue Williams and Angela Scanlon.
The strand has also included the likes of The Verminators, a brand-heavy programme that showcased the pest eradication business Rentokil Ireland, and Clubland, a "revealing look behind the scenes" of nightclub the Wright Venue as it celebrated its fifth birthday.
Meanwhile, RTÉ One is seeking submissions from producers who fancy making a pre-recorded Rose of Tralee build-up programme, which was recently announced as an addition to the televised competition schedule.
The extra show, which will have a budget of up to €90,000, follows the sash-adorned contestants around for nine days.
RTÉ’s commissioners say the independent production company hired to do the job needs “to capture all the thrills and spills along the way” and edit these thrills and spills quick-smart into a one-hour show for broadcast on Sunday, August 21st, aka Rose of Tralee “eve”.
