How to pitch a TV show to HBO

In its own words

“HBO does not accept unsolicited submissions of concepts, creative ideas, suggestions, stories, or other potential content.”

What you agree to by sending something

“This is to avoid the possibility of future misunderstanding when projects developed by HBO staff or representatives might seem to others to be similar to the submitted concepts, creative ideas, suggestions, stories or other potential content.”

“HBO will consider anything you provide to HBO and/or contribute to this Service as available for our use free of any obligations to you”

What it has bought from outside

1. 2007

   Game of Thrones (TV rights to A Song of Ice and Fire) from George R. R. Martin, pitched by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss

   “HBO acquired the television rights to the novels, with Benioff and Weiss as the series' executive producers and Martin as a co-executive producer.” en.wikipedia.org

2. 2015

   Big Little Lies from Liane Moriarty's novel, optioned by Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon

   “In May 2015, HBO gave the series a production order and Kelley was announced to join the team of executive producers.” en.wikipedia.org

3. 2020

   The Last of Us (series) from Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions and Naughty Dog

   “HBO announced the series was in planning stages in March 2020, written by Mazin and Druckmann” en.wikipedia.org

Other companies that take a TV show

• PBS KidsHas a submission portalPBS KIDS takes show proposals through its online submissions portal.
• Shark Tank (ABC)Open applicationShark Tank’s producers are looking for entrepreneurs, inventors and creators to pitch the Sharks.

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  BBCHolds open callsBBC Writers’ Open Call takes scripts from writers aged 18 and over living in the UK or Ireland.

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  Hallmark MediaDoes not take outside ideasHallmark Channel does not accept or consider unsolicited scripts, ideas or proposals.
• Bravo (NBCUniversal)Does not take outside ideasBravo’s parent NBCUniversal accepts no unsolicited submissions for shows and takes a license to anything sent anyway.
• Cartoon NetworkDoes not take outside ideasCartoon Network falls under Warner’s terms, which accept no unsolicited stories, scripts or ideas and owe nothing for what is sent anyway.
• Discovery ChannelDoes not take outside ideasWarner Bros.
• Great American MediaDoes not take outside ideasGreat American Media is taking no unsolicited pitches, scripts or programming ideas for now, and expects to open a submission system later.

All of them, open doors first