How to pitch a TV show to Lifetime

In its own words

“A+E Global Media does not accept or consider unsolicited ideas, including ideas for new programming, promotions, products, services, technologies or processes (collectively, “User Ideas”).”

What you agree to by sending something

“You must not communicate any User Ideas to A+E Global Media (such as, without limitation, through email or transmissions to or through the Sites) that you consider to be confidential or proprietary, and any User Ideas shall be deemed non-confidential.”

“you hereby grant A+E Global Media a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, exhibit, distribute, prepare derivative works of and display the User Ideas”

What it has bought from outside

1. 2006

   Project Runway (moved from Bravo) from The Weinstein Company

   “On July 4, 2006, the show's producers, The Weinstein Company, announced a five-year deal that would relocate the show to Lifetime, beginning with season 6.” en.wikipedia.org

2. 2017

   Married at First Sight (US version of Denmark's Gift ved første blik) from Danish format from DR3

   “The series is based on a Danish series titled Gift ved første blik [ 1 ] that first aired on September 4, 2013, on DR3.” 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