Top Secret: What TV Networks Buy (And Why)

How do you know what TV networks buy and which outlet might buy your show? Well… Remember Lesson #1! If you listened to our very first podcast episode, Joke gave some specific homework. That’s an excellent start. If you haven’t listened to that episode (or for that matter all the episodes…there aren’t that many) be sure you do — especially if you’d like to pitch us a show. That said, this week we give away some secrets that even a lot of working producers don’t seem to know…some key ways to determine what shows are right for which networks. Press the giant “play” button above, and you will understand what TV networks buy — and why. What TV Networks Buy? How is Each Network Different? The most disheartening email we get (over and over) is one that goes something like this: Hi — I’ve got a great idea that I think could play equally well at Bravo, Spike, TLC, Nickelodeon, MTV, Lifetime, and Tru TV. Please…don’t be that person. Why? In today’s episode we answer that question and cover: * Which networks are more “male”, which are more “female” and why that matters. * Who really controls the remote control and how that affects what you pitch. * Whether you can have male stars on a female network and vice versa. * How what TV networks buy should influence your pitch. Transcript coming soon! Okay, you’ve got some great unscripted concepts, a little bit of tape, and think you know which networks your show is right for? Especially now that you know what TV networks buy?

Om Podcasten

*Named "New and Noteworthy" across all podcasts, as well as TV & Film, Arts, and Education. Subscribe now. Ready to create, pitch, and sell documentary series, unscripted TV shows or reality series and specials? From creating pitch tapes to meeting with TV networks, developing your ideas to discovering reality TV stars, this podcast features tips on working in unscripted film and television that you won't find anywhere else. Get top-industry secrets and even pitch your shows to Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers and Unscripted Television Producers Joke Fincioen and Biagio Messina. Recently, the duo have helped both new and experienced producers bring projects to television on MTV, BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL, INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY, A&E, and CNN/HLN. Your show could be next. Subscribe now. ABOUT JOKE AND BIAGIO: With over a decade of experience in unscripted film and television, this married couple has made TV shows, specials, and pilots for CNN, HLN, A&E, The CW, Biography Channel, NBC, CBS, Discovery, Investigation Discovery, Discovery+, E!, IFC, Logo, Oxygen, Style Network, VH1 and MTV. Their feature length documentary DYING TO DO LETTERMAN played in theaters across America, was invited by the International Documentary Association to qualify for Academy Award® consideration, and named “New and Noteworthy” on iTunes alongside The Dark Knight Rises, Brave, and Beasts of the Southern Wild. Subscribers to this podcast will learn the secrets of the Unscripted TV and Film worlds, and how to apply them toward career success. Subscribe today.