The entertainment industry is still recovering from a five-year low in scripted TV shows due to the writer and actors’ strikes. However, this industry shortage can represent a significant opportunity for potential showrunners looking to get their series off the ground.
Unfortunately, there’s not a manual on how to get your TV show produced and distributed. Should you make a pilot on your own or find an interested provider first? And exactly what are your options for distribution?
These are all common questions that people new to the industry ask. In this guide, we’ll be going over some of your options for what you can do with your TV idea.
Consider How You’ll Make the Show
Is it better to put money and funding into a show pilot, and then pitch it to distributors? Or should you wait until a network takes a chance on you to commission your pilot?
Generally, unless you have the resources to do it, we recommend honing the script of your TV program instead of diving into creation. If you’re eager to create, consider making a sizzle reel.
This is a promotional video of your show that quickly shows networks, distributors, and funders the appeal. Remember that making even a pilot can be expensive.
As such, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to sink time and resources into something that’s not even guaranteed to be picked up. That being said, if your show is low-budget, you might be able to make the entire thing without a ton of investment.
Ultimately it comes down to the size and scope of your project. However, to distribute a show, you need to have one first. As such, you need to sort out this step before you move on to the other aspects of distribution.
Identify the Target Audience for Your TV Show
Before you decide on a TV distribution channel, you first need to identify your target audience. This is the demographic that’s most likely to watch your show. If you’re producing an adult animated show, your target audience might be men between the ages of eighteen and thirty.
Or, if you’re making a popular romance novel into a television show, your target audience could be women between the ages of thirty and forty-five. It’s important to identify the demographic. Why?
Because it will reveal which television distribution channel is best for your needs. Whatever your target audience uses to access their television shows, that’s what you want to target them on.
Choose Your Distribution Channels
In the past, if you wanted to produce a show your only options were broadcast TV. These days, there are many more avenues for you to get your TV show in front of people’s eyes. But there are pros and cons associated with each of them.
Broadcast TV is still an option. It has a lot of reach and most people automatically assume broadcast TV shows are of higher quality. However, there’s a lot of competition in broadcast TV.
In addition to being quite expensive, you also need to worry about regulations stipulating what you can and can’t say or show. Cable TV delivers less reach than broadcast TV. The viewership is fragmented which means it’s only good for niche subjects.
That being said, it delivers a lot more flexibility and variety than its broadcast counterpart. These days, there are also streaming platforms. It’s important to remember that these don’t just include big players like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Streaming.
It also includes a variety of IPTV options. IPTV, or Internet Protocol TV, includes things like Tubi or IMDB TV. These companies are often smaller and don’t have as much reach as the major players.
However, the barriers are much shorter for entry. If you don’t have any connections in the industry, then the IPTV framework might be your best bet to get your show distributed. If you can’t find a distributor, take it into your own hands. Release your show as a web series instead.
Market the TV Show
You don’t expect people to just know about your show. A marketing campaign can help you bring awareness to your show while distinguishing it from the competition.
If you have network resources on your side, your marketing plan can include commercials on major networks and billboard ads. Unfortunately, most TV shows aren’t working with this type of marketing budget. As such, you’re going to need to get creative.
The most cost-effective thing you can do is social media marketing. However, don’t be afraid to try other forms of guerilla marketing as well. Anything that gets the word out about your show is a benefit.
Begin Your Distribution Plan
Your distribution plan contains all the details about getting your TV show to your audience. It starts with making sure that the show itself is ready to air and properly formatted for the channel.
Will you be distributing the show one episode per week? Or will you release it all at once? These are things you need to consider. You also need to make sure that any legal or contractual obligations have been fulfilled.
Evaluate
If you want your show to get a season two, you’ll need to evaluate your distribution plan. What parts of it went right? What would you do differently in the future?
Does your audience or network have any suggestions that you should be listening to? Evaluating your show can help provide you with convincing data that can persuade executives to give you another chance down the line.
Appreciate Learning How to Distribute a TV Show? Keep Exploring
We hope this guide helps you learn how to have your TV show distributed. Remember, there is no one set path for getting a TV show to the masses.
Some shows get funding and distribution rights from the get-go. Others need to fight tooth and nail just to get their ideas in front of the right set of eyes. Be persistent and eventually, you’ll find success with your series. Want more advice on surviving in the entertainment industry?
Keep exploring our website to find more relevant topics.