Pitching Yourself to Streamers: How to Create a Distribution Pitch for YouTube, Disney+ and Broadcasters

Pitching Yourself to Streamers: a fast, fill-in-the-blank system for YouTube, Disney+ and Broadcasters

Struggling to turn a great show idea into a real YouTube deal, a Disney+ commissioning conversation, or a BBC partnership? You’re not alone. In 2026, commissioning is more data-driven and platform-specific than ever — but that also makes it easier to craft a tailored distribution pitch that gets noticed. This guide gives you a ready-to-use, fill-in-the-blank pitch deck, email templates, budgets and an outreach workflow shaped by the BBC–YouTube talks and Disney+ commissioning moves in late 2025–early 2026.

Why now: 2026 trends that change how you pitch

Two developments from late 2025 and early 2026 matter for every creator or small producer making a distribution pitch:

• Platform partnerships with creators and legacy broadcasters: reports in early 2026 about the BBC preparing bespoke shows for YouTube show major broadcasters are proactively bringing linear expertise to digital platforms. That means platforms want creator-friendly formats that can scale across audience types and windows.
• Streamers prioritize commissioning teams and local execs: Disney+ promoted regional commissioners to senior roles, signaling an increased appetite for EMEA originals with clear franchise potential. That means you must show international hooks, local talent, and franchiseability.
• Data-first commissioning: platforms expect audience proof — not only views but retention, audience cohorts and cross-platform uplift. Use creator analytics and a concise performance narrative in your pitch.

Variety and Deadline reports from January 2026 signaled real appetite for bespoke shows and stronger local commissioning teams — use that to frame platform fit.

The inverted-pyramid answer: what to send first

Executives are busy. Lead with what matters: a one-page executive summary and a 60–90 second sizzle. Behind those, include a tight 8–10 slide deck, a one-page budget, and sample episode(s) or pilot script. If the contact asks for more, provide detailed episodic guides and delivery plans.

Minimum must-have package (send this in your first outreach)

1. One-page Executive Summary — logline, format, episode length, target demo, platform fit, one-sentence budget.
2. Sizzle (60–90s) — vertical + landscape edits, hero moments, and presenter/host cutaways.
3. 8–10 slide Pitch Deck (PDF) — fill-in-the-blank slides below.
4. One-page Budget — per-episode, series total, and clear deliverables.
5. Metrics Snapshot — creator channel analytics or pilot performance (retention, watch time, audience age/location).

Fill-in-the-blank pitch deck: slide-by-slide

Use these slide copies as literal text. Replace placeholders in ALL CAPS with your show details.

Slide 1 — Cover

Title: SHOW TITLE
Tagline: ONE-LINER THAT SELLS (10–12 WORDS)
Submitted by: PRODUCER OR CREATOR NAME | COMPANY | CONTACT

Slide 2 — One-sentence premise + WHY NOW

PREMISE IN ONE SENTENCE. WHY IT MATTERS IN 2026: mention platform trend (e.g., short-to-long pipelines, creator-to-broadcaster transitions, local EMEA appeal).

Slide 3 — Format & Tone

Format: EPISODIC / LIMITED / DOCUSERIES / TALK / VARIETY
Episode Length: MINUTES
Tone: HUMOROUS / HEARTFELT / INVESTIGATIVE
Target Demo: AGE / KEY INTERESTS

Slide 4 — Audience & Platform Fit

Primary platform target: YOUTUBE / DISNEY+ / BROADCASTER NAME
Why it fits this platform: THREE BULLET POINTS (audience overlap, plug-and-play assets, repurposing for socials)

Slide 5 — Host / Talent

Host: NAME + SHORT BIO + FOLLOWERS / AUDIENCE METRICS
Key Guests or Contributors: 2–3 NAMES (if pre-signed)

Slide 6 — Episodes & Story Arcs

Series length: X episodes of Y minutes. Quick episode bullets: EPISODE 1 LOGIC, EPISODE 2 LOGIC… Include at least one full episode breakdown as an appendix.

Slide 7 — Visuals & Production Plan

Look & feel references: 2–3 show/image references. Production plan: PRE-PRODUCTION, SHOOTING DAYS PER EPISODE, POST.

Slide 8 — Marketing & Distribution

Owned promotion: CREATOR CHANNELS, EMAIL LIST, SOCIALS.
Partner promotion: PODCASTS, BRAND COLLABS, PRESS.
Repurposing plan: VERTICAL CLIPS, BTS, SHORTS (specify cadence).

Slide 9 — Budget Snapshot & Commercials

Per-episode production cost: £/€/$X. Series total: £/€/$Y.
Commercial model: LICENSE FEE / CO-PRODUCTION / REVENUE SHARE. Sponsorship opportunities: 1–2 SPECIFIC BRANDS/TYPES.

Slide 10 — Call to action

What you want: PITCH MEETING / DEVELOPMENT DEAL / FIRST-LOOK. Suggested next steps and contact information.

Email templates you can copy (customize and send)

Cold outreach: YouTube commissioning (short-form to long-form)

Subject: [CREATOR NAME] / SHOW TITLE — short video series for YouTube

Hi [FIRST NAME],

I’m [YOUR NAME], creator of [CHANNEL NAME — X subs, Y avg views] and producer of [PAST SHOW OR CRED]. I’ve developed SHOW TITLE, a [FORMAT] that reaches [DEMOGRAPHIC]. We’ve validated the concept with a 90s sizzle and a pilot that averaged [RETENTION %] and [WATCH TIME].

Why YouTube: this format is optimized for watch-time growth and vertical shorts repurposing. I’ve attached a 1-page summary and an 8-slide deck with a clear monetization plan.

I’d love 20 minutes to show you the sizzle and explore a bespoke content partnership. Are you available next week?

Best,
[NAME] | [PHONE] | [LINK TO SIZZLE]

Warm outreach: Disney+ commissioning exec (regional or scripted/un-scripted)

Subject: For [COMMISSIONER NAME] — SHOW TITLE (EP1 SAMPLE & BUDGET)

Hi [FIRST NAME],

I noticed the team’s recent focus on regional originals under [EXEC NAME] and wanted to share SHOW TITLE, a [X-episode] [SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED] with clear franchise potential in EMEA. The project aligns with Disney+’s push for local stories and talent-led IP.

Attached: 1-page executive summary, pilot script, and a concise budget. A 60–90s sizzle can be viewed here: [LINK]. I’m seeking a development conversation and would welcome feedback on commissioning windows or co-production options.

Thanks for considering — happy to schedule a quick call.

Regards,
[NAME] | [LINKEDIN] | [AGENT/PRODUCER CONTACT]

Traditional broadcaster / public service (e.g., BBC-style)

Subject: Submission: SHOW TITLE — 1-page proposal attached

Dear [COMMISSION NAME / TEAM],

Please find a short proposal for SHOW TITLE. This project was developed to reach [DEMOGRAPHIC], with a clear path to cross-platform availability (YouTube clips, podcast spin-offs). We are open to co-commissioning and have a provisional production schedule and rights proposal attached.

I’d appreciate the opportunity to meet and present the deck and sizzle.

Kind regards,
[NAME]

One-page budget template (fill-in-the-blank)

Use simple line items. Commissioners want transparency.

• Episode count: X
• Per-episode prod cost: £/€/$ ______ (includes crew, locations, post)
• Series total: £/€/$ ______
• Delivery costs: DCP/metadata/QA/closed captions — £/€/$ ______
• Contingency (8–10%): £/€/$ ______
• Rights requested: License fee, duration, territories

Below the numbers, state clearly: "We are seeking: LICENSE FEE / CO-PRODUCTION / DEVELOPMENT FUNDING / FIRST-LOOK".

Rights, windows & legal: what to say and what to avoid

• Be explicit about rights: specify whether you’re offering exclusive SVOD rights for X years or a non-exclusive partnership. Platforms hate ambiguity.
• Windowing: propose an initial exclusive window for the platform, with follow-up windows for the producer’s channels or public broadcasters if that adds audience value.
• Music and clearance: disclose any third-party music or archive footage and budget for clearances.
• Deliverables: list tech specs, localization (subs/dubs) and marketing assets.

Metrics executives care about in 2026

Don’t send raw subscriber counts alone. Include:

• Retention by minute: average watch time and percentage retention at 30s/1min/3min for clips.
• Cross-platform uplift: did a YouTube series increase podcast downloads, newsletter sign-ups, or merch sales?
• Demo & geography: share top 5 countries and age brackets.
• Ad performance: CPMs or sponsor performance if relevant (helps commercial teams evaluate revenue upside).

Production and repurposing plan (short-form → long-form pipelines)

Platforms now want content that can be repackaged fast. A strong pitch shows a schedule for: long-form master episodes, 15–60s vertical cuts, and behind-the-scenes shorts. Include a weekly repurposing cadence and the team responsible.

Follow-up cadence and outreach workflow

1. Targeting: Research the commissioning exec or platform contact. Use recent credits and exec moves to personalize (e.g., mention Disney+’s regional priorities).
2. Send minimum pack: one-pager, sizzle link, and 8-slide deck.
3. First follow-up: 7–10 days with a 20s teaser GIF and ask for meeting times.
4. Second follow-up: 2 weeks later; ask for a referral if wrong contact.
5. Persistence limit: stop after 3 attempts and document feedback for iteration.

Sizzle and visual tips that win meetings

• Open strong: the first 7–10 seconds must show the hook.
• Mix formats: include cinematic shots, behind-the-scenes, and host personality moments.
• Feed the commissioner: make assets they can forward (30s vertical, single-page summary).
• Quality over length: 60–90s is usually enough if edited tightly.

Case snapshot: how a small creator pitched a broadcaster-led streamer

Hypothetical example inspired by 2026 trends: A UK creator with a 300k YouTube audience used the fill-in-the-blank deck and a 75s sizzle. They emphasized cross-promotion potential for younger audiences and suggested a non-exclusive first window with the broadcaster’s streaming arm. The broadcaster liked the local hook and signed a short-run license with a modest fee plus co-promo. The key wins: clear rights ask, crisp sizzle, and audience metrics proving retention.

Checklist before you hit send

• One-page executive summary ✔
• 60–90s sizzle link ✔
• 8-slide deck PDF ✔
• One-page budget and rights statement ✔
• Metrics snapshot (retention, demo) ✔
• Contact personalization and tailored subject line ✔

Actionable next steps — a 7-day sprint to a better pitch

1. Day 1: Fill the deck slides with concrete text; write the one-page summary.
2. Day 2: Cut the sizzle (or commission a 1-day editor) and export 60/15/7s versions.
3. Day 3: Build the one-page budget and rights outline using the template above.
4. Day 4: Gather analytics and craft a metrics page (screenshots + bullet summary).
5. Day 5: Research three platform contacts and personalize email templates.
6. Day 6: Send to priority contact; schedule follow-ups in your calendar.
7. Day 7: Iterate based on any feedback and prepare an extended deck if requested.

Final notes from the field

Executive moves at Disney+ and the BBC’s discussions with YouTube show two combined truths: platforms are hungry for creator-led IP AND they expect professional packaging. That’s good news — creators who bring strong story, metrics and a clear rights ask will get faster meetings and fairer deals in 2026.

Key takeaways: lead with a crisp one-pager and sizzle, tailor decks to the platform (short-form metrics for YouTube; series structure and franchise hooks for Disney+), and be explicit about rights and windows.

Call to action

Ready to pitch? Use the fill-in-the-blank slides above to build your deck in a day. If you want the editable deck file and email templates (PowerPoint and Google Slides), click here to download the pack or reply to this article with your show logline and I’ll send a quick review checklist tailored to your idea.

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