How to Pitch Your Channel to Broadcasters and Platforms: Templates & Email Scripts
Ready-to-send pitch templates and scripts to land YouTube, streaming and Disney plus EMEA deals in 2026.
Stop guessing and start closing deals: pitch templates and email scripts that get read by YouTube, streaming platforms, and regional content teams in 2026
Long edits, scattered feedback, and no clear way to reach commissioning editors are why so many creators never get platform deals. This guide gives you ready-to-send pitch templates, follow up sequences, a one page content proposal, and a compact format bible you can attach to emails today.
Why this matters now in 2026
Streaming and platform commissioning changed fast in late 2024 and through 2025. Major broadcasters and platforms moved aggressively into creator-first deals. The BBC entered talks with YouTube on bespoke shows, proving broadcasters now buy directly for platforms. At the same time Disney plus EMEA reorganized its commissioning team and promoted regional leads to accelerate local originals development. That means more commissioning windows, more regional teams, and more competition for attention. Your outreach needs to be fast, professional, and personalized.
Quick checklist: what every platform pitch must include
- Clear subject line that signals value and format type
- One-sentence hook that states concept and audience
- Why you — audience, traction, social proof
- Delivery assets — pilot, sizzle, one pager, format bible
- Call to action — meeting, link, next step
- Easy access — passworded Vimeo or private cloud links, runtime markers
Essential metrics to include
Editors and content teams have limited time. Lead with the metrics they care about.
- Average view duration and retention curve for your top videos
- Upload velocity and release plan for the proposed series
- Primary audience demo and geography breakdown
- Top platform KPIs like watch time, subscriber growth per video, and click through rate on thumbnails
- Social proof — press, creator collaborations, festival selections, or prior licensing deals
How to package your assets quickly using cloud tools
Editors want to view proof without download friction. Use private streaming links, short sizzles, and a single zipped format bible. In 2026 you should be able to render a 60 second sizzle, burn subtitles, and output multiple aspect ratios from a cloud editor in minutes. Deliverables to prepare:
- Sizzle reel 60 to 90 seconds, passworded
- Pilot or best episode full version, passworded with timecode notes
- One page pitch PDF and format bible PDF
- Metrics snapshot PNG export from your analytics dashboard
Template 1: Short cold pitch for YouTube channel deals
Use this for platform content teams, network partnerships, or internal broadcaster channels aiming to produce creator-led shows.
Subject line suggestions
- Show idea for YouTube Originals pilot 2026 — [Short title]
- [Short title] pilot for YouTube channels — 60s sizzle inside
- Creator collaboration proposal — format and sizzle attached
Email body template
Hi NAME,
I hope you are well. I am NAME, creator of CHANNEL NAME with X subscribers and an average view duration of Y minutes. I have a short, commission ready series idea we call [Short title] — a [format type eg unscripted travel, short form documentary, cook and culture] show aimed at [primary demo eg 18 to 34 UK and EMEA viewers].
The pitch in one sentence: [one sentence hook]. We have a 60 second sizzle and a full pilot available for private review here.
- Sizzle reel: LINK password PROV
- Pilot: LINK password PROV, runtime MM:SS
- One page pitch and format bible attached
Recent traction: top video reached XM views, 35 percent average retention and the channel grew Y percent in the last 90 days. I think this format aligns with YouTube Originals initiatives around creator-led content in 2026 and the BBC YouTube conversations we are seeing across the industry.
If this interests you I can share a short deck and a 10 minute call next week. Available slots are DATE BLOCKS. Thanks for your time,
NAME
Role, CHANNEL
phone
links to socials and analytics snapshot
Template 2: Commissioning pitch for streaming platforms and broadcasters
Use this when approaching platform commissioning editors, acquisitions teams, or broadcaster content heads. This is longer and includes rights asks.
Subject line suggestions
- [Short title] Format proposal for COMMISSIONING TEAM — pilot and format bible
- Commissioning proposal for 6x22 min unscripted series — [Short title]
Email body template
Dear NAME,
I am NAME, executive producer and creator at COMPANY or CHANNEL. We propose a 6 x 22 minute unscripted series titled [Short title]. It blends [unique mix of hooks, e g personal transformation + expert insight] and targets [demo and markets].
Attached are the format bible and one page pitch. A private sizzle and pilot are available at the links below. Key details:
- Format: 6 x 22 min, episodic structure and segment map in the attached bible
- Production plan: 6 week shoot window, post timeline, and cloud-based edit and QC to enable fast delivery
- Rights sought: initial EMEA streaming license for 3 years with non exclusive digital highlights allowed for social
- Budget range: indicative production budget per episode or ask to discuss
Assets:
- Sizzle: LINK
- Pilot: LINK with timecode highlights
- One page pitch and format bible attached
- Metrics snapshot attached
Why this works for you: the format fills a gap in your slate for [audience need], and we can deliver localized versions for EMEA markets using our regional partners. Given Disney plus EMEA's recent commissioning shifts and new regional VPs announced in 2025, now is a strong moment to develop locally resonant unscripted IP.
I am happy to send a short deck or jump on a 20 minute call to discuss commissioning windows and rights. Best times next week are DATE BLOCKS.
Warm regards, NAME
Title, Company
phone
link to reel and analytics
Template 3: Tailored outreach to Disney plus EMEA or regional teams
Regional teams value local storytelling, localization plans, and partnership flexibility. Reference recent team moves and local commissioning priorities to show you tracked their strategy.
Subject line suggestions
- Local format for Disney plus EMEA commissioners — [Short title]
- UK EMEA unscripted format proposal for Lee Mason and Sean Doyle
Email body template
Hi NAME,
Congrats on the recent team updates. I saw the promotions at Disney plus EMEA and wanted to introduce a format that has performed strongly with UK and pan EMEA audiences.
[Short title] is a 6 x 30 minute format blending local culture with a scalable international format. It currently delivers X watch time per video, Y retention, and strong cross border interest from VARIOUS markets. The attached format bible includes localization notes and a low risk production plan using regional pilots and cloud-based post to control costs and speed to market.
Assets: Sizzle LINK, Pilot LINK, format bible attached. We can deliver localized edits in 2 weeks once commissioned and propose an initial EMEA window with non exclusive digital highlights for social amplification.
If you can point me to the right person for format submissions or are open to a short exploratory call this month, I would be grateful. Thanks for your time,
NAME
Title
links
Follow up sequence: 3 emails to maximize responses
- Initial pitch as above
- First follow up at 5 business days: brief reminder, single line of new evidence e g recent lift in metric or new collaboration
- Second follow up at 10 business days: short proof offer e g a 7 minute private zoom showing the sizzle and answering questions, or the promise to deliver a tailored clip for their market
Follow up templates
Follow up 1 short script
Hi NAME — just checking you saw my note about [Short title]. Sizzle link again here. Happy to send a one minute highlight tailored to your market. Best, NAME
Follow up 2 short script
Hi NAME — did you have a minute for the sizzle? I can show this in a quick 10 minute screen share and walk through the localization plan for EMEA. Here are 3 available times. Thanks, NAME
Producer outreach and collaboration scripts
If you are approaching a producer or exec producer to co produce, be explicit about roles and deliverables. Producers will want to know finances, rights, and turnaround.
Producer email template
Hi NAME,
I am seeking a producing partner for [Short title]. High level:
- Format: 6 x 22
- Deliverables: pilot, sizzle, 6 episodes delivered 6 weeks after shoot
- Producer role: lead production, manage local crews, oversee final mix and QC
- Budget: indicative range and proposed financing split
Can we set 20 minutes to discuss producer fee range and timelines? I can share the pilot and format bible in advance. Thanks, NAME
One page pitch example you can copy
Keep the one page concise and scannable. Use headers and bullets. Example structure:
- Title
- Tagline: one line hook
- Logline: two to three sentences describing format and stakes
- Format: eps, runtime, episode beat sheet in one line
- Audience: demo and expected reach
- Why now: trend or data point, e g tie to a recent platform strategy change
- Deliverables and attachments
- Contact and next steps
Format bible checklist for busy editors
Keep the full format bible compact and modular. Editors want clarity on execution and localization. Include these sections and keep each under a page if possible.
- Series overview — concept, audience, competitive set
- Episode blueprint — act structure, running time, segment descriptions
- Character and host notes — bios and casting approach
- Production plan — key crew, timeline, locations
- Localization notes — how the format adapts for EMEA markets
- Delivery specs — codecs, aspect ratios, subtitle strategy
- Rights and windows — suggested deal terms
- Sample episode beat — minute by minute for one episode
Practical pitching tactics that work in 2026
- Personalize at scale — use short personalization lines about the editor or recent slate changes. Reference industry moves like BBC and YouTube talks or Disney plus EMEA promotions to show relevance.
- Make review frictionless — deliver a 60 second sizzle first, then the full pilot. Use cloud links and set a password for security.
- Offer a low risk pilot — propose a proof short or market specific pilot to reduce commissioning barriers.
- Be explicit about rights — publishers want to know windows and exclusivity up front to evaluate fit.
- Follow editorial calendars — key commissioning windows are often quarterly. Ask for their slate window and timing.
How to present metrics so editors actually read them
Use one PNG snapshot with three numbers at the top, a short retention graph, and a small list of top performing episodes. Editors scan, they do not deep dive in a first email.
- Number 1: average view duration or watch time per episode
- Number 2: subscriber or viewer growth percent per major release
- Number 3: engagement metric eg likes or comments per view
Negotiation primer for first deals
Know your priorities before you negotiate. Typical asks from platforms:
- License window and territory
- Payment structure: flat license fee or production funding plus revenue share
- Ancillary rights: clips for social, promos
- Credit and marketing commitments
If you are new to platform deals propose a split approach: a short license for streaming with retained social highlights and an option for extension. That lowers risk for the platform and keeps future upside for you.
Case study snapshot: creator to BBC/YouTube style partnership
Scenario: a UK creator built a 200k subscriber channel focused on heritage cooking. They packaged a 60 second sizzle, a pilot, and a 4 page format bible. They referenced the BBC YouTube deal trend to demonstrate fit and personalized emails to the channel manager. The result: a commission for a three episode series licensed to a broadcaster channel on YouTube and cross promoted by a public broadcaster partner. Key takeaways: concise package, clear rights ask, and fast follow up enabled the deal.
Editors buy clarity, not enthusiasm. Make your first email the easiest yes they can give.
Checklist before you hit send
- All links work and are passworded
- Attachments named clearly: Title onepager pdf, Title formatbible pdf
- Metrics image is single page and readable on mobile
- Clear CTA with calendar options
- Personalized line referencing their slate or recent company news
Final actionable takeaways
- Lead with a 60 second sizzle and one page pitch
- Personalize referencing platform trends and regional moves like Disney plus EMEA promotions
- Use cloud rendering and private streaming to remove delivery friction
- Keep your format bible compact and rights requests explicit
- Follow up twice with new evidence each time
Resources and next steps
Want the exact templates in editable format and a format bible starter? Download the ready to use zip with subject lines, email scripts, one page pitch template, and a format bible starter you can customize for each platform.
Call to action
If you want to move faster, render sizzles, create versions for multiple platforms, and track which links get opened, try a cloud-first workflow. Use your next pitch to a commissioning editor with a professional sizzle rendered and transcribed in minutes. Download the templates, render the sizzle, and send the pitch today.
Download the pack and start pitching now
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