How to Submit Ideas for Cable TV Shows

There is a constant need for new television show ideas. Fortunately, many people have good ideas for cable TV shows. However, they do not know how to start the process of submitting their idea to cable companies. Fortunately, the process for submitting a show idea for consideration is a straightforward process. 

1. Create a brief summary of your show. This summary is known in the industry as a logline. It is intended to provide studio executives with a one or two sentence summary of the TV show's basic premise. In order to create your logline, you will need to consider the most basic elements of your show. Only include the setting of your show and the basic plot.


2. Compose a show treatment. The treatment is a more detailed summary of your idea. Generally, a treatment will be five or fewer pages in length. In the treatment, you will include information detailing the main characters and how they are tied to the plot of the show. Also, you will need to include how the show will evolve for the first two seasons.


3. Register your concept with the Writers' Guild of America. This is the union for television and movie writers. They can protect your idea, and ensure that companies cannot make the show without providing you with payment. You will need to be a member of the Writer's Guild of America. If you are not already a member, then you will be required to register and pay a yearly membership fee.


4. Schedule a meeting with the production executive of an interested cable channel. During your meeting, you will need to pitch your show. During your pitch, sell the idea to the executive. Provide information about the shows target demographic and production costs. These will be the two most important factors that the production executive will use as a basis for a decision.