Later… with Jools Holland and Jools’ Annual Hootenanny Renewed By BBC Studios

BBC Studios has retained the contract to produce Later… with Jools Holland and Jools’ Annual Hootenanny after a competitive tender process. The BBC Two shows will continue to be produced by BBC Studios for another two years.

The programmes were opened up to tender as part of the Compete Or Compare strategy launched by the BBC in 2014, which underlined the BBC’s commitment to commission the best programmes for audiences, regardless of who makes them.

Following the awarding of the contract there will be four series of six weeks each of Later… with Jools Holland, over two years from autumn 2019 to spring 2021 on BBC Two, each week comprising of a mid-week 30 minute programme and an end of week 60-minute programme; and two Hootenanny programmes in December 2019 and 2020.

The BBC Studios bid was considered to be the strongest from the field of eligible producers who submitted proposals. The bid will see fresh ideas that evolve the show. The 60-minute, end-of-the-week show will have a more relaxed feel, delivering unique performances and bespoke films and backstage interviews. Jools Holland will remain as the presenter of both shows and for the 60-minute show Jools will be joined by a special guest, who will co-host the programme.

The programmes will also return to London, with the autumn running coming from BBC Studioworks’ studio TC1 at Television Centre, West London, having previously been filmed there up until 2012 before moving to Maidstone Studios during Television Centre’s redevelopment.

Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, says: “With its unique curatorial vision and commitment to performance, Later… with Jools Holland is a vital part of the BBC Two schedule.

“For this tender process, we asked for fresh ideas to evolve this great show and were really excited by the vision and bold thinking of the BBC Studios team. I’m confident that the winning bid will build on the show’s famous history and develop it in an exciting direction. I’d like to thank all those that took part in the tender process and congratulate BBC Studios.”

Jan Younghusband, Head of Music TV Commissioning, says: “Later… with Jools Holland is a key part of our musical offering and is popular with a wide selection of audiences. I would like to thank all the producers who took part in the tender process for all their hard work.

“We felt that the BBC Studios bid was the strongest of a remarkable and inspiring set of bids. BBC Studios, with their unique combination of musical expertise in live shows, knowledge of the music industry and artists, and narrative excellence, were the right choice to take the show forward to its future and attract new audiences whilst maintaining its strong musical curation.”