Peak TV has amped up the competition among networks for the past few pilot cycles. But this year, the growing number of television shows on all platforms and the lack of cancellations at the broadcast networks have compelled broadcasters to focus on quality instead of quantity: The Big Four have ordered nearly 20 fewer pilots this season than last.
Broadcasters seem to be playing it safe when it comes to auspices — the majority of projects hail from A-list producers and writers — but the nets are taking bigger swings when it comes to ideas, as only a handful of reboots and spinoffs are among the series in contention for 2017-2018. The networks also appear to be taking note of the country’s divisive climate with a slew of military-centric pilots.
See the full report at Variety.
