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Selling Scripted Content for Streaming: A 5-Step Guide

Exhausted from casting your ideas into an empty abyss? Discover our step-by-step guide on creating and marketing your scripted content for streaming platforms. Dive into essential topics like data management, intellectual property, and locating potential buyers to boost your prospects.

Guidelines for Peddling Scripted Content for Streaming in a Few Easy Steps
Guidelines for Peddling Scripted Content for Streaming in a Few Easy Steps

Selling Scripted Content for Streaming: A 5-Step Guide

In the ever-evolving world of entertainment, the global streaming market has become a significant player, surpassing 1.8 billion subscriptions. For content creators looking to develop, package, and pitch scripted content to streaming giants like Netflix or Disney+, here's a comprehensive guide to increase your chances of success.

Step 1: Develop Your Script and Concept

Begin by crafting a compelling story idea with strong characters and clear story arcs. Create a detailed treatment that outlines the main storylines and character journeys, focusing on the broad strokes and the main narrative thrust of your series or film. Include episode outlines that demonstrate your story’s capacity to sustain multiple episodes or seasons, and write a pilot episode breakdown that sets the scene, highlights key story beats, and presents the hook and climax of the first episode.

Step 2: Package Your Content Professionally

Prepare a pitch package that may include the script or pilot episode, your treatment, character bios, episode outlines, and any visual materials. Consider attaching a showrunner or a producer if you have industry connections, as streaming services value experienced creatives. Given the competitive international market, local relevance and a global appeal increase your chances of success.

Step 3: Pitching to Streaming Services

Research the content strategy of your target platform. For example, Netflix is the largest commissioner of scripted global content with a focus on locally relevant stories with global resonance, while Disney+ often targets family-friendly or franchise-related scripted content. Make contact via industry connections, agents, or entertainment attorneys who can access the platform's development executives or commissioning editors. Your pitch should clearly convey the unique value of your series or film, its target audience, and its creative and commercial potential.

Step 4: Understand Distribution and Delivery

If your scripted content is accepted, prepare for the distribution process by providing required deliverables (scripts, footage, promotional materials). Familiarize yourself with the streaming platform’s technical requirements and deadlines to ensure smooth delivery and release.

Success often depends on understanding the commissioning trends, writing a strong treatment and pilot outline, and matching your concept to a realistic budget. Our website provides deep insights into the content needs and acquisition strategies of hundreds of global streamers and broadcasters, helping you navigate the complexities of the global content market.

  1. As you delve into the production of your scripted content, it's crucial to consider the latest technology in both storytelling and distribution, ensuring that your series or film not only stands out but is also accessible to a global audience on various platforms.
  2. With the increasing emphasis on lifestyle and personal preferences in content selection, it's vital to craft a narrative that appeals to a wide demographic, incorporating elements of technology and entertainment in ways that resonate with viewers worldwide.

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