I'm hoping some of you can help make sure I'm not just being stupid here, but is there a difference between how networks produce television shows that get aired on their network vs on a streaming service?
Now let me give a little extra clarity to what I mean here. The whole topic sparked from over on a subreddit (which I very quickly regretted; Reddit is the most toxic environment I've ever seen), where I explained how networks typically take new shows. The person insists (without backing it up in any way besides effectively saying "you're wrong") that the show is completely different than one that's aired on TV, solely because it's exclusively aired on a streaming service. Unless I'm mistaken, there's no secret production method for these "streaming exclusives" that differs from a standard TV show, except that it doesn't need to perfectly follow the same half hour/hour timetables, and isn't subject to the same restrictions under the FCC. Heck, in this instance the show in question is still produced by the network's studios, and distributed by their same distribution company as well.
Here's what I explained, and what I've always been aware of as the process for shows to go through, regardless of whether or not it's a streaming exclusive or not:
1) They start off by considering a pitch or concept. If they like it, they order a pilot to be produced, usually with a very barebones budget.
2) If they don't like the pilot, they follow one of two routes. They either scrap the idea altogether, or order a new pilot if they still think the concept is good, but perhaps the script and execution for the pilot wasn't what it should be. If they do like it on the other hand, they order so many episodes for the first season, and allocate a small budget.
3) Between halfway through the first season and the end, the studio determines between financial factors (costs of production vs profits) and ratings whether or not to renew for a second season. If the show is pulling in more money than is required to produce it (by a fair enough margin, not just breaking even or by only tens of thousands; I consider this the main factor of renewal, too. Ratings are usually just good indicators of popularity), they'll renew and order another season. If they then order another season, the budget is usually adjusted to give them room for improvements, and there may even be more episodes for that season.
4) They'll continue to operate the show based on the principles of profit margin, generally handling each new season in the same way. In certain cases though, from what I understand, if a show is massively successful after the first and/or second season though, they may commit to a larger number of seasons and episodes early, although I can't imagine this is very common.
So what does everyone think? Am I pretty spot on already with my analysis, or am I actually missing something?
Kay Luke Ooooh that makes a lot more sense now! So THAT'S why some networks for these streaming exclusives immediately jump into one or more additional seasons. I'm assuming in instances like that as well, it makes it easier to get a network to accept a script/pitch? I'm also curious about the financial relationship between the network and producer, if the producer isn't getting studio money. Is the network solely making money then from advertisers or their streaming service?
Do they still do the general style that I mentioned these days, or has the majority of it started to switch over to this 50-50 Deal?
This is good stuff...and another affirmation of my approach. Which is to produce our pilots ourselves, then seek distro. A lot more potential to keep creative control and retain rights.