Pitch Deck Template: How to Get Commissioned by a Streamer After the BBC–YouTube Trend

Hook: The window to get commissioned by streamers is open — but messy. Here’s a ready-to-use pitch-deck template that wins attention from both legacy broadcasters going digital and platform-native commissioners.

If you’re a content creator or producer frustrated by vague notes, ghosted emails, or decks that pigeonhole your idea, you’re not alone. The industry shifted fast in late 2025 and early 2026—landmark conversations between the BBC and YouTube and leadership shuffles at Disney+ mean commissioners now juggle legacy remit, platform-first KPIs, and new audience pathways. That creates opportunities — but only if your pitch speaks both languages.

Why this matters in 2026

In early 2026 major signals—reported negotiations between the BBC and YouTube and fresh commissioning leadership at Disney+ EMEA—show broadcasters want bespoke, platform-native formats alongside traditional broadcast pieces. That means commissioners expect:

• Formats that can live natively on short-form and long-form platforms
• Clear audience-first metrics (watch time, retention, subscriber lift)
• Modular rights and windows (digital-first vs linear windows)
• Realistic, transparent budgets that show value for multiplatform distribution

What this article gives you

Below is a practical, modular pitch deck you can copy into Google Slides, Keynote, or PowerPoint. It’s optimized for pitching to three commissioner profiles: traditional broadcasters pivoting to digital (e.g., BBC), platform-native commissioners (e.g., YouTube), and global streamers (e.g., Disney+).

The strategy in one paragraph (inverted pyramid)

Lead with the core idea, the measurable audience opportunity, and the proposed episode format — then show how the format scales across platforms, how the budget breaks down, and the distribution/rights model. Commissioners want to know: what problem does this solve for their audience and platform metrics? Answer that in the first three slides.

Modular Pitch-Deck Template (copy & paste)

Use these modules as slides. Each module includes a suggested headline, 3–5 bullets, and a suggested visual. For platform-native decks (YouTube) compress to 8–10 slides; for broadcasters (BBC, Disney+) use 12–16 slides with an expanded show bible and budget breakdown.

Cover / One-line elevator

Slide title: Title + Tagline

• One-line logline (20 words max).
• Format: Scripted/Unscripted/Hybrid.
• One-sentence why now (tie to 2026 trend or audience behaviour).

Visual: Key art or hero still. Keep it bold.

Why this matters to you

Slide title: Strategic Fit

• 2–3 sentences about why the format suits the commissioner (e.g., BBC: builds youth licence-fee pipeline; YouTube: drives subscriptions and retention; Disney+: extends IP to younger demo).
• Top platform KPI to move: watch time / retention / subscriber lift / shareability.

Visual: Commissioner's brand + KPI icons.

Logline + Hook

Slide title: The Hook

• Short logline + the emotional/utility hook.
• What makes it clickable in timelines and feeds?

Format Example & Episode Structure

Slide title: Format Example

• Episode runtime (e.g., 12 x 12’ for social-led short series; 6 x 45’ for hybrid documentary).
• Three-act breakdown with key beats and moments designed for clips/reels.
• Sample episode title + 3 scene synopses.

Visual: Timeline graphic showing clipable moments.

Show Bible (expand for broadcasters)

Slide title: Show Bible (Core)

• Series arc across season + episode-by-episode beat list (one-liners).
• Key characters/talent, casting notes, and sample bios.
• Tone & visual references (3 images or mood frames).

Tip: For the BBC include public-service value or cultural remit; for YouTube emphasise creator ecosystem and community integration.

Audience Data & Growth Plan

Slide title: Audience + Growth

• Clear target demo & behaviours (age, top platforms, time-of-day consumption).
• Top audience metrics you’ll deliver: average view duration, retention at 30/60/90 sec (for short-form), complete rate (long-form), subscriber conversion target.
• Promotion plan: creator partnerships, cross-platform clips, paid social sample CPM buckets.

Visual: Audience persona cards and funnel chart.

Budget Outline (one slide for platform decks; detailed table for broadcasters)

Slide title: Budget Outline

• High-level ask: total production cost and per-episode cost.
• Key line items: talent, production, post, music/rights, contingency (10%).
• Co-pros, pre-sales, brand partnerships, and in-kind as offsets.

Example (short-form social-led 8x10’):

• Total production ask: £120,000
• Per episode: £15,000
• Line items: Production £60k, Talent £24k, Post £18k, Licensing £6k, Contingency £12k

Distribution & Rights

Slide title: Windows & Rights

• Propose a clear rights split: exclusive digital window (6–12 months) + linear window (by negotiation) or non-exclusive digital rights for creator-led versions.
• Specify ancillary rights: format, international, podcast, short-form clips.

KPIs & Measurement

Slide title: KPIs

• Primary KPI per platform (YouTube: average view duration & subscriber change; BBC: reach and younger demo penetration; Disney+: completions and retention).
• Secondary metrics: social shares, earned media mentions, press pickups.

Production Timeline

Slide title: Timeline

• Pre-prod (8–12 weeks), Production (4–12 weeks), Post (6–12 weeks), Delivery & Marketing (4–8 weeks).
• Milestones for rough cut, final cut, and asset delivery (vignettes, trailers, vertical clips).

Attachments & Team

Slide title: Team & Attachments

• Key CVs (director, EP, showrunner), previous credits and relevant audience numbers.
• Talent letters of intent or demo reel links.

Ask & Next Steps

Slide title: The Ask

• State the exact development/production ask and timeline for responses.
• Offer a fast follow: pilot script, sizzle cut, or short-form proof-of-concept.

Platform-specific tailoring: How to speak each commissioner’s language

Don’t send the same deck to everyone. The BBC (and similar public broadcasters) and platform-first commissioners are evaluating different things. Here’s how to adjust.

Pitching the BBC (or public broadcasters shifting digital)

• Lead with public-value: cultural relevance, education, or civic impact where relevant.
• Show reach into younger demos with measurable plans (clips for TikTok/YouTube, pupil resources for educational tie-ins).
• Rights: broadcasters prefer longer exclusivity windows—be prepared to barter formats for co-production money.

Pitching YouTube & other platform-native commissioners

• Lead with engagement: average view duration, retention curves, and how your content creates shareable moments.
• Show creator-led extensions: community uploads, series playlists, chapters, Shorts strategy.
• Budget asks can be lower if you offer creator amplification and clear performance benchmarks.

Pitching Disney+, Netflix-style global streamers

• Emphasise scale and franchise potential—does the IP expand globally or as a branded format?
• Provide a polished show bible and international casting possibilities.
• Assure production values: visuals, post, and music rights must match global expectations.

Practical before/after: A short example

Before (weak): “We have a funny food travel show that’s perfect for young people.” No data, no format specifics, no clear ask.

After (strong): “Title — a 10 x 12’ short-form travel series that follows a Gen Z foodie on cross-city challenges. Pilot asks £90k (8 eps): per-episode £11k. KPI: 4m watch minutes in first 30 days and +25k channel subscribers. Growth plan: 6 creator collabs, Shorts package, and two 60-sec trailers for paid social.”

This version answers: format, budget, KPI, and growth mechanics — all within one elevator.

Checklist: What commissioners will scan for in 10 seconds

• A crisp one-liner (logline)
• Target audience and 1 key KPI
• Clear budget ask and per-episode cost
• Distribution/rights headline
• One-sentence reason why this is timely (2026 relevance)

Data & metrics to include (concrete examples)

When you say “audience,” back it up. Include:

• Platform-specific retention targets: YouTube AVG view duration target (e.g., 4–6 minutes for 10–12’ episodes; 50–60% retention at 60s for short-form).
• Subscriber lift target: projected net new subscribers per episode (e.g., +5–25k depending on scale).
• Reach and impressions: projected organic reach and paid CPM ranges (2026 CPMs vary by market; use your last three campaign CPMs as evidence).
• Engagement rate targets on socials: likes/comments/shares per 1k views.

Negotiation tips for 2026 commissioners

• Offer modular rights: digital-first exclusivity for 6–12 months, then linear/SSO window.
• Be flexible on delivery formats: give commissioners vertical assets, 16:9 masters, and trailer cuts at no extra cost if you can.
• Use KPIs as bargaining chips: trade deeper rights for performance bonuses if you hit retention/subscriber targets.

Real-world signals you should reference (use sparingly and precisely)

Recent industry moves in late 2025–early 2026 show broadcasters are changing commissioning behaviour: negotiations between the BBC and YouTube and reshuffles at Disney+ EMEA indicate appetite for digital-first co-productions and platform-native formats. Use these developments to justify why your hybrid format is timely—two sentences max in your deck.

“Broadcasters are seeking content that meets audiences where they are — not the other way around.”

How to use the modular template (quick workflow)

1. Copy modules into a deck and reorder to suit the commissioner.
2. Trim to 8–10 slides for YouTube; expand to 12–16 for BBC/Disney+.
3. Prepare a one-page leave-behind (single PDF page with logline, KPI, ask, and timeline).
4. Create an assets folder: sizzle (90–120s), vertical clips, sample episode script, and the show bible PDF.

Before you hit send: a quick critique checklist

• Do your first 3 slides contain the logline, KPI, and ask? If not, rewrite.
• Can someone get the idea in 10 seconds? If not, reduce copy and tighten visuals.
• Have you matched the tone to the commissioner (public-service language vs performance language)?
• Is the budget transparent and defensible with comparables? Add a line explaining any premium costs.

Case study (short): How a short deck won a platform commission in 2026

In January 2026 a UK indie repackaged a daytime studio format into a 10 x 12’ short-form series with vertical clips and a creator-led promotional plan. They led with a subscriber uplift KPI and showed a pilot's proof-of-concept: a 90-sec sizzle with 60% retention. The platform commissioned a 6-episode order on a performance-contingent deal — partly because the deck explicitly tied the content to platform KPIs and included a modular rights offer. Make your deck that clear.

Advanced strategies: Monetisation beyond commissioning

• Brand partnerships: map 2–3 integration ideas to episode beats.
• Licensing for international playout: show comparable comps from similar formats and territories.
• Ancillary IP: podcast spin-offs, short-form verticals, and format adaptations.

Final checklist before submission

• 1-page leave-behind exists
• Sizzle & vertical assets uploaded to a share link
• Budget & rights headline on first 3 slides
• Show bible attached for long-form commissioners
• Tailored one-sentence why-now referencing 2026 industry signal (e.g., BBC-YouTube trend)

Call to action

If you want the editable version of this modular pitch-deck template formatted for Google Slides and Keynote, copy the modules above into a deck now — or get a reviewed version. Upload your draft to critique.space/pitch-review to receive a prioritized critique from experienced commissioners and receive a tailored 5-slide revision plan to send to the BBC, YouTube, or Disney+ teams.

Make your next pitch short, measurable, and platform-smart — and if you want help adapting it to a specific commissioner, submit your deck and we’ll show you the 3 changes that will increase your chance of commission in 2026.

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