The Archive
Browse by Network
Explore pilot screenplays and learn what each network historically buys — tone, genre, what to avoid.
ABC
Accessible, emotional, often optimistic. Clear story resolution each episode. Broad enough for a general audience.
Network Drama
Mainstream Appeal
Contemporary
73 pilots in archive
ABC Family
Family-friendly with young adult edge.
60-Minutes
Earnest Tone
Serialized
3 pilots in archive
AMC
Slow burn, character-first. Willing to let tension build over seasons. Cinematic visual storytelling.
Drama
60-Minutes
Serialized
11 pilots in archive
Apple TV
Premium, polished, often hopeful. Less interested in pure darkness than HBO. Favors emotional resonance.
Streaming Native
Serialized
Prestige TV
24 pilots in archive
BBC One
Restrained, character-driven, often wry. British sensibility with strong emphasis on craft and specificity.
Drama
Moral Ambiguity
British Sensibility
23 pilots in archive
BBC Three
Raw, fresh, diverse. Strong emphasis on new voices and unconventional perspectives.
30-Minutes
Dialogue Driven
Contemporary
4 pilots in archive
BBC Two
More experimental than BBC One. Willing to take creative risks on unusual premises.
Dark Tone
Tense Tone
Character Study
6 pilots in archive
CBS
Traditional, plot-driven, reassuring. Character consistency over transformation. Favors competent protagonists over flawed ones.
Network Drama
Mainstream Appeal
Contemporary
54 pilots in archive
CBS All Access
Prestige cable-quality content targeting the CBS audience plus streaming subscribers.
Drama
60-Minutes
Crime
3 pilots in archive
Channel 4
Bold, socially conscious, willing to provoke. Strong emphasis on underrepresented perspectives.
Cult Following
Contemporary
Identity
4 pilots in archive
Comedy Central
Satirical, irreverent, willing to be provocative for laughs.
Comedy
30-Minutes
Comedic Tone
6 pilots in archive
Disney+
Family-friendly, optimistic, adventurous. Strong IP integration.
Drama
Earnest Tone
Character Study
3 pilots in archive
Epix
Prestige, cinematic, genre-forward.
Drama
60-Minutes
Dark Tone
4 pilots in archive
FOX
Punchy, high-concept, willing to take risks. More genre-friendly than ABC/NBC/CBS. Faster pacing.
Mainstream Appeal
Contemporary
Network Drama
56 pilots in archive
Freeform
Young adult, emotional, genre-friendly. Strong emphasis on diverse characters and relationships.
Contemporary
Identity
Coming of Age
5 pilots in archive
FX
Gritty, specific, often darkly comedic. High tolerance for ambiguity and moral complexity. Respects audience intelligence.
Cable Edge
Moral Ambiguity
Prestige Cable
23 pilots in archive
HBO
Dark, literary, uncompromising. Adult themes handled with nuance and craft. No network notes on language, sex, or violence.
HBO DNA
Prestige Cable
Serialized
38 pilots in archive
HBO Max
Varies widely — from HBO-quality prestige to broad mainstream comedy and drama.
Character Study
Drama
Serialized
9 pilots in archive
Hulu
Varied — from dark to comedic. Strong emphasis on female perspective and provocative subject matter.
Streaming Native
Serialized
Character Study
33 pilots in archive
Lifetime
Emotional, heightened, accessible. Strong emphasis on female experience.
Drama
60-Minutes
Serialized
4 pilots in archive
MTV
Young, energetic, trend-conscious.
Drama
30-Minutes
Comedic Tone
3 pilots in archive
National Geographic
Prestige, factual, cinematic. Strong emphasis on real events and places.
Drama
60-Minutes
Tense Tone
3 pilots in archive
NBC
Warm, accessible, often comedic or hopeful. Strong emphasis on ensemble chemistry and character relationships.
Contemporary
Network Drama
Mainstream Appeal
62 pilots in archive
Netflix
Varied — from dark prestige drama to broad comedy. Strong emphasis on binge-worthy structure and episode-ending hooks.
Streaming Native
Serialized
Character Study
78 pilots in archive
Paramount Network
Cinematic, character-driven, often western or rural American. High production value.
Drama
Character Study
Identity
3 pilots in archive
Peacock
Varies — from prestige drama to mainstream comedy. Building identity around event programming.
Character Study
Streaming Native
Drama
6 pilots in archive
Prime Video
Varied — from dark prestige drama to broad comedy. Strong emphasis on production value and global appeal.
Streaming Native
Drama
Serialized
39 pilots in archive
Showtime
Provocative, adult, often controversial. Strong emphasis on character psychology and moral ambiguity.
Cable Edge
Prestige Cable
Serialized
34 pilots in archive
Starz
Heightened, genre-forward, often escapist. Strong emphasis on production design and visual spectacle.
Moral Ambiguity
Cable Edge
Prestige Cable
14 pilots in archive
Syfy
Genre-forward, fan-service friendly, often serialized. Strong emphasis on mythology.
Drama
60-Minutes
Tense Tone
10 pilots in archive
TBS
Comedic, accessible, increasingly willing to experiment with prestige.
Comedy
Comedic Tone
Contemporary
5 pilots in archive
The CW
Young, energetic, genre-forward. Strong emphasis on serialized mythology and romantic storylines.
Mainstream Appeal
Network Drama
Serialized
28 pilots in archive
The WB
Teen-oriented, genre-forward, emotionally melodramatic.
Drama
Hopeful Tone
Earnest Tone
8 pilots in archive
TNT
Accessible cable drama. Character-driven with strong plot momentum.
Drama
Tense Tone
Crime and Justice
6 pilots in archive
UPN
Urban, diverse, genre-friendly.
Comedy
Character Study
Voice Over Narration
2 pilots in archive
USA Network
Evolved from "blue skies" fun to darker prestige. Willing to experiment with format.
Drama
60-Minutes
Tense Tone
13 pilots in archive