Story perspectives

Streaming Services Shift Back to Pilot Orders Amid Budget Cuts

4/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pilot orders are resurging as networks and streaming services face tighter budgets.
The 2010s favored straight-to-series orders.
Hulu and HBO Max are revisiting pilot orders to gauge show potential before committing to full seasons.
Notable pilots include Hulu's Foster Dade and HBO Max's American Blue.
NBC is reviving traditional pilot seasons, commissioning eight new pilots including a reboot of The Rockford Files, to sustain returns and manage costs.

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Story summary

Pilot orders are resurging as networks and streaming services face tighter budgets.
The 2010s favored straight-to-series orders.
Hulu and HBO Max are revisiting pilot orders to gauge show potential before committing to full seasons.
Notable pilots include Hulu's Foster Dade and HBO Max's American Blue.
NBC is reviving traditional pilot seasons, commissioning eight new pilots including a reboot of The Rockford Files, to sustain returns and manage costs.