Why TV Networks Are Bypassing Pilots for Direct-to-Series Orders

As the battle for eyeballs grows more competitive, the broadcast TV networks increasingly are rethinking the pilot process.

On Oct. 17, 2013 Fox said it would bypass the pilot stage with a 13-episode commitment for Hieroglyph, a fantastical drama from Pacific Rim writer Travis Beacham. Blame the shift on the influx of TV competitors, from Netflix to WGN America, that are elbowing their way into the game by offering massive commitments. "A lot of this is about getting people to come to us over cable," says a network source of the broadcast buys, with another pointing to Netflix's 26-episode order for House of Cards as the game-changer. "As networks are trying to figure out how to compete with basic cable, premium cable and productions for digital platforms, what everyone realizes is, they have to be bold and not shy away from big ideas," says 20th Century Fox TV chair Gary Newman, acknowledging that some of the biggest swings aren't feasible on the pilot model.