Pitch directly to a CBC Radio show
Some CBC Radio shows accept pitches from freelancers in Canada and around the world. Before you reach out directly, here's some background reading:
- How to focus your pitch
- Doc structures: how to create tension, action and a narrative arc in your story
- What does a good pitch look like? (scroll down - last section )
Ready to pitch? Here are some shows that want to hear from you:
An ideal pitch gives us a clear idea of the focus, the characters and the narrative arch. We need to know if you've had experience with doc making before, if you need to travel, that you know you will be able to get us the interviews you are suggesting and that you have ideas on the scenes and sound you can gather. The pitches should not be too long - but they need enough information to make us interested and curious.
Please submit pitch to Joan Webber at joan.webber@cbc.ca

We're always on the lookout for freelancers who are personally going through a 'now or never' moment right now, and are willing to record themselves as they're doing it. We want stories that are intimate, active, vulnerable, and a little bit complicated.
If you'd like to find out about upcoming episodes, you can sign up for our freelancer email list. You can also pitch us your story ideas at nowornever@cbc.ca. In one or two paragraphs, you should be able to tell us:
- Why is this important to me right now?
- What is the deeply personal reason I'm doing this?
- What action or scenes would you record?
- Who are potential secondary characters in my story, who might coach or nudge me along the way?
Our approach is eclectic, but we focus on the documentary, using story-telling and narrative techniques to convey ideas. Our attitude is one of open exploration tempered by skeptical inquiry. We look for original perspectives and draw on the knowledge, insights and character of our contributors in shaping our programs.
Many of our programs are based on proposals we receive from freelance contributors. We accept proposals once a year, in February. The next submission deadline is Friday, February 8, 2019. For more information, including a detailed guide to preparing proposals, visit our pitch page.

The show's mission statement: Spark is an ongoing conversation about our rapidly changing world. Along with you, host Nora Young explores how technology, innovation and design affects our lives. The show's values are:
- Connecting the dots / Tying the future to today
- Forward thinking
- Creative production and storytelling
- Refreshing – hear things you've never heard before
- Solutions /Strategies / Something to take away
Email a brief and focused pitch to michelle.parise@cbc.ca telling us:
- What the story is (not the topic). What is the arc of the piece?
- Why you are telling it (as opposed to us just doing it.) What is your stake in it?
- What voices/sound will we hear. Is there a sense of place?
Tapestry docs take you deep inside a person's unique lived experience and, at the same time, investigate bigger questions about what it means to be human. We are a small team with limited ability to work with freelancers, so we only accept pitches from people who have experience making docs and who bring the full skill set (tape gathering, editing, writing, mixing, etc.). If you have a doc idea for Tapestry but you need more guidance or development, the Doc Mentorship program is an excellent resource.
An ideal pitch contains a narrative arc, guests who are good talkers, and scenes, and it identifies the deeper Tapestry question(s) at the heart of the piece.
Pitches can be emailed to Tapestry Senior Producer Erin Noel: erin.noel@cbc.ca

The Doc Project is always on the lookout for creative material: documentaries that break the rules, that transport you to unexpected places or allow you to eavesdrop on someone's life.
Whether you're a CBC reporter/producer/journalist, an experienced Canadian audio freelancer or podcaster, or an international producer with a Canadian story to tell, pitch us! Email: docproject@cbc.ca and put 'Commission' in the subject line. But first, please take some time with the resources on this page that will help you ensure your pitch is ready, and is a fit for our show.
We accept pitches on a rolling basis. Visit our pitch guide for more information on what we're looking for and how to submit.

We air docs from Canada and around the globe, generally between 4-5 minutes, but occasionally longer if the story merits. They can delve into everything from the environment, politics and health...to education, culture and sports — as long as they have a newsy element, i.e. why this story now? We look for compelling stories with good scenes, lots of sound, and engaging characters.
We accept pitches only from people with experience making radio docs. Please lay out in a few paragraphs: the focus of your story, its timeliness, the scenes, and the characters. You can send pitches to: twtw@cbc.ca with "Freelance pitch" in the subject line.