Call for pitches
Uncover is an investigative true crime series from CBC Podcasts. Each season features a new case, reported by a different host who has covered the story and has access. Past seasons include Escaping NXIVM, The Village, Sharmini, Hunting Warhead, Satanic Panic, Dead Wrong, Brainwashed, Evil By Design, Carrie Low VS., A Death in Cryptoland, White Hot Hate, and Boys Like Me.
We’re looking for future seasons, featuring unique and compelling cases that will connect with broad audiences. We're open to working with individual reporters, independent production houses, and co-productions with other news organisations.
Uncover has been described as transcending true crime by the New Yorker. We’re open to a wide range of cases in the larger arena of crime and justice — cults, moral panics, extremist movements, con artists, white collar crime, etc. — so don’t limit yourself.
We accept submissions year-round.
You can submit your pitch using this Google Form — describe your story and answer the questions below.
If we are interested in learning more about your pitch, we will be in touch.
Have a podcast idea that doesn’t fall under the investigative true crime genre? Please feel free to pitch us. We are open to a range of strong narrative-driven short run series. Go to cbc.ca/pitch to learn more about our entire slate and how to submit in different genres.
The Google Form will ask you the following.
NAME:
COUNTRY + CITY OF RESIDENCE:
CURRENT POSITION: ie. freelancer, AP, producer, reporter, etc.
Please answer the following criteria:
- Story Overview - Just a few paragraphs, no more than a one-page summary.
- Previous Research and Reporting - Please describe what research, investigation or reporting you have done to date.
- Characters - Our series are character-driven with heartbeat. Please identify potential main characters — people who are personally connected in the story — who might participate.
- Layers of Surprise - What are the twists, reveals and layers that warrant multiple episodes, and could sustain at least 5-6 episodes.
- Unresolved Questions that drive the series?
- Ripple Effects - Are there ripple effects that affect others or touch on larger themes beyond the individual case itself?
- Diversity and Inclusion - We are committed to telling stories that reflect the diverse and contemporary world we live in. How will this story help us fulfil this mandate?
- Expertise - What skills do you bring when it comes to executing this series? Where do you need support? For example: research, field recording, long-form storytelling (storyboarding, writing), story editing, audio editing, etc.