Emma Read is the Commissioning Editor for Sky1's Factual Entertainment and Specialist Factual programmes. Since joining Sky in 2005, Emma has commissioned an impressive range of ground-breaking programmes including Inside Britain's Fattest Man, Vroom Vroom, Night Cops and this autumn's much-anticipated new documentary series, UK Border Force.
In 2006, Emma won the RTS award for Best Digital Channel Programme for her pioneering show, Brainiac: Science Abuse and, in 2007, won the RTS award for Best Sports Show/Series with Big Ron Manager.
During her career in factual programmes, Emma has produced a variety of cutting-edge, award-winning shows for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 including Video Diaries, Adult Lives and Tomorrow’s World. She also spent 5 years at Discovery as the commissioning editor for Discovery UK and EMEA commissioning programmes such as Mark Williams’ Industrial Revelations, Moscow Siege and Heston Blumenthal’s Kitchen Chemistry and commissioned the first original programmes for Animal Planet Europe, including the first global appeal, Adopt A Wild Animal.
How did you break into television?
My first job was definitely at the bottom of the ladder- I was a trainee assistant film editor in the Natural History Unit, BBC and I loved every minute!
What's on your Sky+ box at the moment?
Dragon's Den, The F Word, Family Guy, Secret Millionaire, Top Gear and I'm reserving lots of space for the new 24!
If I wasn’t working in television I’d… be doing everything possible to break into TV!
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Guidelines for Factual Commissions
When submitting programme ideas, please keep the following in mind:
I’m looking for entertaining, noisy and accessible factual entertainment and popular factual programme ideas which will appeal to men and women 18-44 and families. Ideas should have content our audience cares about and subjects which matter to them and strong A-list casting.
What am I looking for?
Formatted factual and features (e.g. Big Ron Manager, The Apprentice, Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares, Project Catwalk, Come Dine With Me): popular subjects, high profile talent and a strong narrative hook for 9pm. Casting is key, as is jeopardy and a contemporary resonance. I’m looking for interesting well known personalities to bring credibility and a personal touch and a twist to modern subjects.
Factual Entertainment formats which appeal to a family audience at 8pm. Twists on familiar subjects, bold and adventurous and, above all, fun. Ideas should have a strong and simple format with glossy, high quality production values (e.g. Brainiac Science Abuse, Guinness World Records Smashed!, Top Gear, Masterchef).
Popular access led observational documentary series which reflect contemporary British life in an exciting, revealing and gripping way. What are people concerned about and how can you turn these issues into must-see entertaining television? Current successes include Night Cops which looks at bad behaviour and such as binge drinking after dark and UK Border Force which covers the thorny issue of UK immigration control.
Events. High profile with enormous marketing and PR potential, an event might be a one off special such as Noel’s Christmas Presents or a week long event such as Premiership Allstars.
Topical reactive documentaries. We’re interested in quick turnaround topical documentaries about the headline stories which chime with our audience. Recent successes include Britney Speared By The Paps and Too Much Too Young.
A-Lister Access Docs. I’m always looking for documentaries with exceptional access to A List names. Examples include Steven Gerrard- A Year In The Life, At Home With The Hattons and Kylie- The Interview.
Immersive presenter led factual series. Ross Kemp has led the way in this genre. Who are the next big name popular presenters who can take us into gritty, exciting and inaccessible worlds we know little of? Presenters should bring credibility and be loved by the audience.
Archive shows. Archive shows such as list shows should be rooted in popular culture with a wide appeal. Recent successes include Top 50 TV Endings and 50 Ways To Leave Your TV Lover.
How to pitch: initially anything from a clear paragraph to a concise treatment via e-mail factualentertainment@bskyb.com
making it clear why the idea will work for Sky1.
