What It’s Really Like to Pitch a TV Format Across Three Continents in One Week And How Tech Is Changing the Game

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What It’s Really Like to Pitch a TV Format Across Three Continents in One Week And How Tech Is Changing the Game

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Monday – Mumbai, India

You’re starting the week in a production house in Andheri, prepping to pitch a youth-focused reality show to a local streamer.

The challenge? Format localization.

The original show had risqué content—perfect for U.S. markets but likely to face cultural resistance in India. A rewrite over the weekend gives the show a local twist with new hosting talent and custom brand integrations.

Key takeaway: Content is global, but context is everything. Localization isn’t just dubbing—it’s narrative nuance, platform sensibilities, and pacing.

Wednesday – London, UK

By midweek, you’re in a WeWork meeting room near Soho, video calling into a commissioning team for a European broadcaster. Your deck needs to address ratings performance of similar formats, adaptability, and whether the production can qualify for UK tax reliefs. You have one shot at framing the idea’s scalability.

Key takeaway: In the UK and Europe, pitching is a hybrid of creative and regulatory fluency. Understand co-pro frameworks, quotas, and regional incentives.

Friday – Los Angeles, USA

Pitch a TV Format
Your week ends in LA—virtually. You’re presenting to a studio exec who wants the same show “reimagined” for their AVOD platform. Shorter episodes, bite-sized arcs, and binge-ability become key points. Your pitch deck needs to evolve into a dynamic mood board. You send a video teaser stitched together overnight with AI-generated avatars acting out scenes.

Key takeaway: The U.S. market wants the sizzle first. Tech-accelerated prototypes are becoming the norm. If your pitch can be watched, not just read, you’re in the lead.

How to Survive the Week Across Time Zones and Expectations:

– Use asynchronous tools like Loom and Miro for pre-reads
– Invest in versioned pitch decks tailored by region
– Leverage AI tools for sizzles, dubs, and sentiment adaptation
– Automate timezone coordination and pre/post-pitch reminders
– Know your rights packages cold (format, remake, adaptation)

Closing thought: In 2025, pitching a TV format is as much about platform fit and technical readiness as it is about story. Geography can no longer be an excuse for poor prep.