Pitching a show

L

longcipher

Active member
The title gives it away: I have a great idea for a documentary/reality show. It isn't a trashy/exploitative show, more of a series of 30 minute docs that would be perfect for Nat Geo or an equivalent. What is the way of getting them to read a treatment? I realize it isn't as easy as sending an email. I am interested in the politics and players I'd need to deal with to get a meeting. Any advice would be appreciated as this is a world that is foreign to me.
 
If you have no marketability outside of your idea - in other words, if you aren't a known or established production company with a proven track record - chances are that the network won't take time to consider you at all.

Some networks require a signed agreement in order to submit an idea, and that agreement includes a clause that surrenders ownership of that idea to the network, whether or not they use it. So, in trying to pitch an idea, you'll likely get rejected AND lose all rights to that idea forever, so there will be no pitching it to anyone else.

If you aren't established and don't have a proven and marketable production record, your best bet is to start it off as a web series and build an audience there. Once it's been published and has a following, it's more likely to get noticed. Plus, if it's a published and running series, you have a better chance of keeping rights to it if they say no.
 
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