We’re writers. And we have great ideas for TV series. Ideas we want to sell. But it behooves us to do our level best to learn what Big Media wants, and thinks it needs, and, above all, is paying all those BIG $$$ for. Here’s what we know so far:
by Leslie Goldberg
GRAND TOTALS
Total orders: 83 (95 in 2014, down 12)
Dramas: 40 (45 in 2014, down 5)
Comedies: 43 (50 in 2014, down 7)
Single-camera: 24 (32 in 2014, down 8)
Multicamera: 16 (17 in 2014, down 1)
Hybrid: 1 (1 in 2014, even)
TBD: 2
Series orders 2014: 54ABC: 25 (27 in 2014, down 2)
With numbers largely in line with last year, Paul Lee‘s Disney-owned network has put a focus on funny and semi-autobiographical family fare. Looking to replicate the success ofBlack-ish and Fresh Off the Boat, the network has half-hour family vehicles starringJermaine Fowler (and co-starring Whoopi Goldberg), Ken Jeong and Fortune Feimster to take its diversity push a step further. Additionally, the network is putting its diversity stamp on John Hughes‘ Uncle Buck with an all-black cast and is teaming with the NBA for a buddy comedy starring Pitch Perfect‘s Skylar Astin. On the drama side, ABC has the tried and true: cops, doctors and plenty of mystery thrillers to go with big swings including oil drama Boom, biblical saga Of Kings and Prophets and Fox import Runner,based on the Turkish cartel drama.Dramas: 12 (13 in 2014, down 1)
Comedies: 13 (14 in 2014, down 1)
Single-cam: 8 (10 in 2014, down 2)
Multicam: 5 (3 in 2014, up 2)
Series orders 2014: 14 (8 dramas, 6 comedies)NBC: 22* (27 in 2014, down 5)
Following its midseason strategy, NBC put its focus on drama development this pilot season as the network could conceivably opt to pass on its 2014-15 drama slate including State of Affairs. Bob Greenblatt‘s network will look to Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta to help add diversity to its roster of procedurals that also includes a guardian angel drama fromMark Burnett and Roma Downey. Of its 13 comedies, NBC is also targeting families and diversity in both its concepts and castings, including Eva Longoria‘s straight-to-seriesTelenovela.
Dramas: 9 (9 in 2014, even)*
Comedies: 13 (18 in 2014, down 5)
Single-cam: 7 (14 in 2014, down 7)
Multicam: 6 (4 in 2014, down 2)
Includes two straight-to-series orders: Telenovela and Shades of Blue, down two year-over-year.