The Resurgence of TV Pilots in Streaming and Broadcast Networks

In recent years, the television industry has seen a notable resurgence in the production of pilot episodes, a practice that allows networks and streaming platforms to test the viability of a show before committing to a full season. This shift comes as a response to tightening budgets and a reevaluation of production strategies. HBO Max is currently developing two pilots: the cop drama "American Blue" and the family drama "How to Survive Without Me." Sarah Aubrey, head of original programming for HBO Max, emphasizes the selective nature of pilot orders, noting that the success of "The Pitt," which has been renewed for a third season, has influenced this renewed focus on pilots.

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Hulu is also actively pursuing pilot projects, including the highly anticipated drama "Foster Dade" from Greg Berlanti and Bash Doran, as well as a reboot of "The X-Files" led by Ryan Coogler. The latter project has garnered significant attention due to Coogler's rising prominence in the industry and the show's established fan base.

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The trend of producing pilots has been a staple of television since its inception, allowing networks to make adjustments before full-scale production. However, during the competitive landscape of the 2010s, the industry saw a decline in pilot orders as networks opted for straight-to-series commitments. Simran Sethi, president of scripted programming at Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment, and Freeform, reflects on this shift, stating that the "gold-rush period" led to a strong appetite for immediate series orders.

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As production costs have risen and episodic budgets have decreased, networks are now reconsidering their approach to show development. This has resulted in an increase in pilot orders across both streaming services and traditional broadcast networks. Notably, Netflix has recently picked up a sequel series to "A Different World" after issuing one of its few pilot orders, while Hulu has greenlit a reboot of "Prison Break" following a pilot episode.

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While the return to pilot episodes marks a significant shift in strategy, industry experts caution against expecting a return to the era of producing over 100 pilots annually. Aubrey notes that the focus is now on creating a sustainable model that can support long-running series, particularly for shows with higher production costs. The new approach aims to balance financial viability with creative exploration, ensuring that networks can invest in projects that have the potential for success.

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Sarah Aubrey stated, “It’s really for these shows where we’re in a certain budget model and trying to build a system that can sustain 15 episodes coming back annually.” Simran Sethi added, “What we all learned with this adjustment to a slightly different volume is being a little bit more steady and focused on these bets that we’re making.”

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Despite the positive outlook on pilot episodes, some industry insiders express skepticism about whether this strategy will lead to a significant increase in quality programming. Critics argue that the financial constraints may limit creative freedom, potentially stifling innovation in storytelling.

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• “We all had such strong appetites in that gold-rush period,” — Simran Sethi, President of Scripted Programming at Hulu Originals

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• “Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ is definitely at the top of my list,” — Anonymous TV Lit Agent

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• “Once you get up to a certain price point, it doesn’t really make sense financially for a really big effects-heavy show to make a pilot.” — Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Programming at HBO Max

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