Story perspectives

Hollywood Shifts: Full Series Orders Replace Pilot Seasons

9/15/2025

47 3

Summary

Story summary

The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupted Hollywood, prompting networks to move away from traditional pilot seasons.
Networks now favor full series orders, cutting pilot commissions from 60 to about 15 per season.
This trend leads to a conservative approach, prioritizing established concepts and high-profile names.
While some shows like ABC's "High Potential" succeed, many new series struggle.
The decline in pilot seasons signals broader shifts in the television landscape due to streaming platforms.

1 of 1

Story summary

The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupted Hollywood, prompting networks to move away from traditional pilot seasons.
Networks now favor full series orders, cutting pilot commissions from 60 to about 15 per season.
This trend leads to a conservative approach, prioritizing established concepts and high-profile names.
While some shows like ABC's "High Potential" succeed, many new series struggle.
The decline in pilot seasons signals broader shifts in the television landscape due to streaming platforms.