Video Breaks Down the Steps Required to Greenlight a Television Show

If you’ve ever wondered how a television show actually gets greenlit, Ryan Arey of ScreenCrush has put together a breakdown that explains the long and often brutal process of getting a series greenlit.

Alongside his loyal sidekick Doug the Manger, Arey walks viewers through each stage, from the very first pitch to the moment a show finally makes it to air.

“TV Shows have a long production gestation, which goes through stages like pitching, writing, rewriting (lots of rewriting), development, and production. ScerenCrush guides you through every step of this process to understand how they actually make TV Shows.”

The video highlights just how drawn-out and uncertain the process can be. Even once a network or streamer gives the initial go-ahead, there’s still constant risk.

Projects can collapse during development, or worse, get axed after a season is shot and delivered. It’s a reminder of how fragile the business really is, even when things look promising.

Arey also takes time to explain the emotional toll this rollercoaster has on creators, saying:

“Well, cancellations are all a part of the business. It’s happened to almost every working creative in television, and it can feel like a punch in the gut…This can be a demoralizing process, but when you’re a part of a show that actually reached people and meant something to people, you take the win that your project even got made, dust your shoulders off, and keep following the dream.”

That sense of perseverance is at the heart of why shows exist in the first place. For every pilot that never airs, there are countless writers and producers who keep pushing, hoping the next project will stick.

Arey’s breakdown is both a roadmap of the industry and a reality check for anyone dreaming of making it in television.

If you’re curious about how your favorite series survived the gauntlet or you’re thinking about pitching one yourself, this is a video worth watching. It lays bare the steps and struggles that happen long before the show gets made.