With the rise of streaming in the pandemic era, we’ve seen a shift from the traditional once-cycle development model of previous years to a near-continuous demand for content that has left several networks, streamers, and studios fighting to get new shows aired. While the traditional pilot season has still somewhat remained in place, as the entertainment landscape shifts to accommodate the ‘new normal’ it is becoming increasingly likely we will see that concept change. And ABC, with the announcement of a two-cycle model for future development, appears to be positioning itself as a pioneer in the changed landscape. Entertainment lawyer for Blake & Wang P.A, Brandon Blake, unpacks the details.
Two-Cycle Development Announced
This week saw ABC formally announce that they will follow a two-cycle development route for their shows, allowing for new shows to air both in the fall and in the midseason. This contrasts with the other alternative- a rather nebulous idea of year-round development that does rather lack clarity and form both for the end market and those developing for it. ABC has also announced a set of potential fall releases, with at least three projects now aiming pilots for that specific release point.
In theory at least, this means a break from the traditional pre-pandemic pilot order cycle, and should ensure a higher hit rate for those that get order. Under the new model, once the fall pilots are lined up and ready to move into production, we will also see a midseason crop start pitching around January.
Freeing Up Talent
As suggested, this new model should also allow for a freer exchange of talent, both in actors’ commitments and the commitments for producers and directors. It will do so by allowing for greater project uptake, where in the older model talent may already have commitments to honor, allowing for a wider and (hopefully) more productive schedule that will keep them working throughout the year. With projects better staggered in different development stages for longer, we should see greater scheduling flexibility. That’s the theory, at least.
If it works out for them, we should see projects getting the time they need to fully actualize their development, instead of a bunch of projects being rushed out to meet an arbitrary one-and-done deadline that no longer particularly applies to a continuous content-hungry landscape.
With ABC now committed to its trial of the two-cycle development timeline, it will be an interesting test-case for the wider production landscape. Currently we’re seeing the continuous development model, with no clear pilot season, dominate the streaming landscape. It has its own pros and cons over ABCs newer concept, but can also lead to an exhausting cycle of constant demand that makes it difficult to know when to pitch. Additionally, it also leaves us open for issues as we’re seeing in the wider theatrical landscape, where a glut of films arrive (as with this summer’s notoriously leveled-up Box Office) and then a lack of quality fare until another glut arrives.
It is inevitable that, as the dust of the pandemic era finally settles, we will see a lot of changes in the traditional production cycle. What will stick and what will become a footnote in history is tough to tell, but this is an interesting sign of adaption among the linear landscape, and well worth watching.