How an outside idea reaches a company, in its own words · checked 2026-10-29
How to pitch a TV show to Cartoon Network
Does not take outside ideas
Cartoon Network falls under Warner’s terms, which accept no unsolicited stories, scripts or ideas and owe nothing for what is sent anyway. It bought the Hanna-Barbera library and Pendleton Ward’s Adventure Time.
“Please be aware that Warner does not accept unsolicited submissions of concepts, creative ideas, suggestions, stories, scripts, or other potential creative content (“Unsolicited Submissions”).”
What you agree to by sending something
“In the event you do send us an Unsolicited Submission, you understand and agree that your Unsolicited Submission does not create any fiduciary relationship between you and Warner and that we are under no obligation to refrain from using the Unsolicited Submission (in whole or in part), to keep it confidential, or to compensate you for our use of it.”
“This is to avoid the possibility of future misunderstanding when projects developed by Warner staff or representatives might seem to others to be similar to their submitted concepts, creative ideas, suggestions, stories, scripts, or other potential creative content.”
What it has bought from outside
Adventure Time from Pendleton Ward and Frederator Studios (viral short rejected by Nicktoons)
“One of the studios that Frederator approached was Cartoon Network, which was interested in producing a full series, but would commit to a deal only if Ward could prove the pilot "wasn't a one-hit wonder".” en.wikipedia.org
