The Reality Behind Commissioning in 2026

Commissioning has not disappeared — but it has fundamentally shifted. Broadcasters are under stress, advertising revenues are volatile, and risk tolerance has tightened across the board. Streamers are still commissioning, but increasingly from a place of P&L accountability rather than the “growth-at-all-costs” mandates of previous years.

For producers, this means one thing: commissioning is harder, slower, and more selective — but it remains entirely achievable for those who understand the new rules of engagement.

Why Commissioning Feels So Difficult Right Now

1. Broadcasters Are Defensive

Linear broadcasters are struggling to maintain margins. Commissioning decisions have become conservative; renewal cycles are shorter, and risk appetite is largely limited to proven formats, established franchises, or projects with undeniable local relevance.

2. Streamers Are Spending — Carefully

Streamers continue to finance content, but they now demand surgical precision in three areas:

• Audience Logic: A clear, data-backed reason for the project’s existence.
• Market Relevance: Does this fill a specific strategic gap in the library?
• Production Efficiency: Controlled budgets and aggressive timelines.

3. The Disappearance of the “Middle”

Mid-budget, vaguely positioned projects suffer the most in the current climate. Commissioning now favors two extremes: clearly premium, globally scalable “tentpoles,” or sharply targeted, cost-efficient local stories. Anything sitting “in between” struggles to find traction.