Pilot
The first episode of a television series, produced to sell the show concept to a network or streaming platform.
Definition
A pilot is a standalone episode produced to demonstrate the premise, characters, tone, and production quality of a proposed television series. Networks and streaming platforms use pilots to evaluate whether a show concept warrants a full series order. The pilot must establish the world, introduce key characters, and hook viewers — all while demonstrating the series' long-term potential.
The pilot process traditionally involves pitching the concept, writing the script, producing the pilot episode, and then presenting it to network executives during "pilot season." Streaming platforms have shifted this model somewhat, sometimes ordering full seasons based on scripts alone.
Why It Matters
Pilots represent one of the highest-stakes creative and financial decisions in television. A single pilot episode can cost $5 to $20 million to produce, and the greenlight decision determines whether hundreds of jobs are created and millions more invested.
For writers and creators, the pilot is their calling card. A well-crafted pilot demonstrates not just one good episode but an engine for ongoing storytelling — proof that the concept can sustain dozens or hundreds of episodes.
Examples in Practice
A showrunner's pilot episode impresses streaming executives so much that they order two full seasons sight-unseen, committing $100 million before the show premieres.
A pilot that was rejected by three broadcast networks finds a home at a cable channel, where it becomes the network's highest-rated series and runs for eight seasons.
A writer creates a pilot script that showcases a unique narrative structure, landing them representation at a top agency and leading to a multi-project development deal.