How to Sell Television Ideas

Entertainment professionals develop sample videos and a set of written materials to sell television series ideas to broadcast networks. There is one way you can market a program concept directly to acquisition executives who are actively searching for television shows to buy. Learn how to sell television series ideas in an environment that offers broadcast syndication opportunities and international exposure for your program.

Develop the Television Show Idea
Write a treatment that summarizes the main concept of your television series. Treatments are used to pitch television show ideas to broadcast and cable networks. These one to five page documents outline actions that occur during the first episode and introduce all main characters of the television series. The treatment can also include plot descriptions for subsequent episodes to show potential buyers how your storylines and characters develop over time.

Commission a professional writer to create a teleplay for the primary episode of your television series. Teleplays include dialogue, action and related script elements but are usually formatted in a three-act structure for television broadcasts. Instruct the commissioned writer to produce a teleplay that is based on your treatment. Television writers can be found at unions that support workers in the entertainment industry, film schools and literary agencies.

Producing a Sample Presentation
Produce a pilot using the teleplay for your television series idea. Pilots are sample episodes of a television show that feature its main story line and characters. A pilot episode is used as a visual presentation of your television series when trying to sell the program to distributors. Pilots are usually aired as the first episode or series premiere of a show when television networks add it to their lineup. Hire a video production company to shoot and edit the pilot episode. Work the video production company to assemble a director, actors, camera operators and related staff who will help to create a convincing pilot for your television series idea.

Present the pilot and treatment for your television series idea as an exhibitor at an entertainment convention or film festival with TV show categories. Annual television markets located in the United States and abroad are also used to sell shows to domestic and international broadcasting companies. You can present a television series idea directly to distributors at these conventions or hire a sales agent who will make licensing deals with broadcast networks and independent stations on your behalf.