How a TV Series Gets Made

24 steps, from idea to air.

Note: It is amazing how much the television landscape has changed since I wrote this article in 2015. Now, 10 years later, here’s an update. Let me know what you think.
by Ken Aguado

If you’ve ever wondered about the timeline of how a scripted TV series is created, here’s a guide that reflects the current landscape of the TV industry. The process can vary depending on whether it’s for traditional broadcast, cable, or streaming services, but this is a general overview of how things usually work today. From start to finish, a typical TV series development cycle now can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the project and the distribution model.

Key Players:

• Writer (often, but not always, the Showrunner): A highly-experienced writer who is also a producer, overseeing the show’s development, writing, and overall direction.
• Studio: The production company responsible for financing the show (e.g., Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros. TV, Lionsgate TV, etc.).
• Network/Streamer: The distributor responsible for airing or streaming the show. This includes traditional TV networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX), cable channels (AMC, FX), and streaming platforms (Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+ and several more).

Steps in the TV Series Creation Process

1. The Writer Has an Idea for a Series
   Whether it’s an original concept, adaptation or remake, the process always starts with the idea.
2. The Writer Develops Their Pitch
   The writer creates a compelling pitch document, including a series overview, tone, characters, and season one summary.
3. The Writer Pitches to a TV Studio or Network/Streamer
   The writer may pitch to a traditional studio (e.g., Warner Bros. TV) or, increasingly, directly to a streaming service or network, in which case a TV Studio might get involved at a later point.
4. Studio or Network/Streamer Makes a Deal with the Writer
   If the idea resonates, the studio, streamer (or sometimes the network) negotiates a deal with the writer to develop the series.
5. The Writer Refines the Pitch Based on Notes
   After receiving feedback from the studio or network, the writer tweaks the pitch to meet their expectations, often in preparation for pitching to the network or streamer.
6. Studio Sets Pitch Meetings with Networks or Streamers
   If already in the mix, the studio arranges meetings with potential distribution partners. Today, this might include direct negotiations with streamers like Netflix, Amazon, or Apple+, etc.
7. Writer Pitches Their Series to Networks and/or Streamers
   This is a more formal pitch meeting where the writer, possibly with a studio team, presents the show, including the entirety of season one, and sometimes beyond.
8. Network or Streamer Signs a Deal to Develop the Show
   Once a network or streaming platform is interested, they sign a deal with the studio, and or streamer, to officially move forward with development.
9. Writer Outlines the Pilot (or First Episode) and Season One
   The writer outlines the story for the pilot (or first episode) and the entirety of season one, and delivers it for review.
10. Outline Approval & Script Authorization
    After the outline for season is approved, the writer begins work on the script.
11. Writer Writes the Script
    This typically takes 6–8 weeks. The writer delivers the first draft of the script to the studio.
12. Studio Provides Feedback
    The studio reviews the draft and gives notes, which the writer then incorporates into the script.
13. Pilot Script Submitted to Network/Streamer
    Once the script is revised, it’s submitted to the network or streaming platform for approval.
14. Network or Streamer Provides Feedback
    The network/streamer gives additional notes or asks for more changes before the final script is approved.
15. Revised Script Delivered
    The writer delivers the revised version, after incorporating all feedback from the network or streaming platform.
16. Decision on Pilot or Full Season
    The distributor decides if they will order the series or not. If they do, the old network model of ordering a pilot only is rare and most choose to skip the pilot entirely and order full seasons. However, some networks still order pilots.
17. Pilot or Full Season Ordered
    If approved, a series is order. For streaming platforms, this can mean a full season straight to production. (Typically, 6, 8 or 10 episodes.) For traditional networks, it’s often a 13-episode season order and, if that performs, they might order 8 more. But it varies.
18. Pre-Production Begins
    The team begins preparations to produce what was ordered: hiring directors, casting, securing locations, and designing sets.
19. Filming Begins
    Filming begins in accordance with budget and schedule.
20. First Episode Reviewed by Network/Streamer
    The network evaluates the pilot/first episode, sometimes testing it with focus groups to gauge audience reactions. Streamers skip this step, but all distributors will evaluate the first episode as a prototype for the episodes to come, something making quick changes for the episodes that will soon be filmed.
21. Presentations
    Networks sometimes present their pilots to advertisers and the press. In the streaming age, this has evolved into digital announcements or “showcases,” presenting the pilot or series internally.
22. Series Staffed
    Once the show is picked up, additional writers are hired, and the writers’ room is staffed, under the direction of the showrunner, in consultation with financier/distributor. However, it’s very likely this step happened at the same time as step #17, above.
23. Air Date Set
    The network or streamer announces and promotes their schedules the series for release. This means weekly airings of single episodes or in groups of two, for mini binge-watching. Netflix still releases all season episodes at once, which extend the production process considerably.
24. Premiere and Distribution
    The series premieres.

Key Trends in Today’s TV Industry:

• Direct-to-Series Orders: Networks increasingly order full seasons instead of pilots, especially for high-profile shows or big-budget series. This is the norm with streaming and most cable TV platforms like F/X, AMC, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+, etc.
• International Markets: Shows are now often developed with a global audience in mind, leading to international co-productions and worldwide simultaneous premieres.
• Ad-Supported Streaming: Many streamers are reverting to the network model by offering lower-cost, ad-supported subscriptions tiers.
• Consolidation & Mergers: Media giants are merging or bundling services (e.g., Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney-Hulu-ESPN bundle). Companies are forming strategic partnerships to stay competitive.
• Short-Form Content:: Platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels are reshaping how audiences consume video content.
• Live TV and Sports Streaming: Streaming platforms are investing heavily in live sports rights (Amazon, Apple TV+, YouTube with NFL Sunday Ticket). Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sports services are emerging.
• Vertical Series: Platforms like TikTok are rolling out series shot in 9:16 (as opposed to widescreen 16:9), suitable for viewing on mobile phones. Episodes are typically 10 mins or less.

Please let me know what you think.

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