In the broadcast and streaming world, the "greenlight" process for a television series is quite different than for a feature film. From pitching to the pilot, each phase is carefully managed to test the concept, cast, and audience reaction.
Pitching and Pilot Orders
The overall concept for a television series is pitched to a network with the showrunners and lead cast already attached. If the network is interested, they may order a "pilot"—a single episode used to test the project. Pilot orders typically come in February or March, and the fully produced pilot is delivered within six weeks.
Once the pilot is completed and tested, the orders for a full series may follow in May. Streamers like HBO may still use pilots for testing and marketing purposes, but many other platforms move directly to series orders based on the talent and creative vision attached.
Television Economics: The Deficit and Downstream Sales
In television, the overall budget target for the season is known up front. Each episode has its own budget, called a "pattern budget," which includes the variations from the norm. It is common for a first season to have a deficit—a gap between the production cost and the initial license fee paid by the network.
This deficit is often offset by:
- International Sales: Selling the rights to broadcast the series in other countries.
- SVOD/VOD Rights: Streaming rights and video-on-demand sales.
- Syndication: Licensing the series to other networks and cable channels.
The Role of the Showrunner
In television, the writers are an integral part of the process and often must "write to budget." Showrunners are often given Executive Producer credit and are responsible for any overages. They work closely with the 1st AD and line producer to understand what can fit into the budget or what needs to be cut back.
The television greenlight process is a complex balance of art and commerce, where the creative potential of a series is weighed against its likelihood of financial success across multiple platforms and years.