TV Pilot Season's Mini-Revival: A Glimmer of Old Hollywood?

Television is experiencing a surprising mini-revival with NBC ordering eight pilots, doubling last year's total for the network and surpassing the combined output of other broadcasters. This brings the total pilot orders to 12, a significant increase from the mere five in 2024. This trend contrasts sharply with the 66 pilots ordered in 2019.

The landscape has shifted dramatically due to factors like efficiency-driven development, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftermath of the 2023 strikes. Networks like Fox and The CW have largely moved away from traditional pilot seasons, opting for script-to-series or straight-to-series pickups. This traditional model, though inefficient, offered a sense of excitement and created opportunities for industry professionals.

However, the business is increasingly driven by commerce, with streaming services now accounting for nearly half of all TV usage. This has led to the cancellation of established shows like 'The Late Show' and daytime talk shows such as 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' and 'Sherri'. Video podcasts are emerging as replacements, offering a cheaper alternative to traditional productions.

The rise of streaming has also impacted production values and storytelling, with a preference for shorter seasons and less emphasis on traditional writing rooms. The industry faces further disruption from AI, which threatens to automate aspects of the production process. The potential absorption of Warner Bros. studio adds another layer of uncertainty to an already unstable industry.