How to pitch a TV show to TLC

In its own words

“WBD 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 a future misunderstanding when projects developed by WBD staff or representatives might seem to others to be similar to the submitted concepts, creative ideas, suggestions, stories or other potential content.”

What it has bought from outside

1. 1991

   The Learning Channel from ACSN and Infotech $12.75 million

   “On February 15, 1991, The Discovery Channel, Inc.—owners of the namesake cable channel—announced it had reached an agreement to acquire The Learning Channel from ACSN and Infotech” en.wikipedia.org

2. 90 Day Fiancé from Sharp Entertainment (Matt Sharp)

   “In a GoldDerby interview, 90 Day Fiancé creator and executive producer Matt Sharp revealed that there have been over 20 spinoff shows created from the original series.” en.wikipedia.org

3. Say Yes to the Dress from Half Yard Productions

   “Say Yes to the Dress is an American reality television series on TLC which follows events at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan, New York.” 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