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How to Pitch Original Content to Disney+/Hulu: A Creator’s Checklist

UUnknown

2026-02-14

11 min read

A practical, EMEA-focused pitch checklist to get Disney+/Hulu to commission your original — from hook to localization and sample episodes.

Hook — Why your pitch must beat attention decay and platform risk in 2026

Creators tell us the same headache again and again: you can make brilliant video, but getting a scripted or unscripted series commissioned by a major streamer like Disney+ or Hulu is opaque, slow and often tied to international strategy you don’t control. Since late 2025 and into 2026, Disney+’s EMEA leadership changes — including promotions of commissioning leads — have accelerated regional-first commissioning and cross-border formats. That makes this moment both an opportunity and a challenge: platforms want shows that travel across markets, but the bar for packaging, localization and rights clarity is higher than ever.

The executive view: what Disney+/Hulu EMEA now prioritizes

In 2025–2026 Disney+ EMEA restructured commissioning teams and promoted several senior commissioners to VP roles, signalling a push for long-term, regionally scalable originals. Practically, that means commissioning teams expect:

International appeal — stories that can be adapted or easily localized across EMEA markets.
Clear talent attachments — showrunners, lead cast or directors with audience pull or clear creative fit.
Risk-managed budgets — realistic costings and co-production strategies.
Localization and delivery readiness — plans and budgets for dubbing/subtitling and technical masters (IMF, HDR, Atmos).

Before you pitch: a quick reality check

Do not send a vague one-pager. By 2026, commissioning desks in EMEA expect a near-development-ready package for scripted originals and a compact proof for unscripted formats. Your goal for first contact is to make it obvious the project can be commissioned and scaled.

Must-have mindset

Think international first: frame your show so it succeeds in at least three EMEA markets.
Show risk mitigation: attachments, co-pros, tax incentives, and localization budgets.
Be measurement-ready: define target audience, comparable titles, and success KPIs.

The practical pitch checklist for Disney+/Hulu (EMEA-focused)

Use this checklist to build a submission that commissioning VPs and their teams can act on without heavy back-and-forth. Treat each item as a deliverable in your pitch deck or submission folder.

One-line hook + 25-word elevator

Start with a single sentence that captures genre, stakes and uniqueness. Follow with a 25-word elevator that explains why this belongs on Disney+/Hulu and who will watch it. If you’re adapting a channel-first strategy, see tips on how to pitch your channel like a public broadcaster to craft a tight elevator with audience intent.
Pitch deck (10–14 slides)

Your pitch deck is the spine of the submission. Keep slides clean, visual and evidence-based. Include:
- Title slide with logo and one-line hook
- Creative synopsis (3-paragraph) and tone references
- Pilot & season outline (episodes, runtimes)
- Main cast & talent attachments (showrunner, director, lead talent)
- Audience & comps (two comparable shows and why)
- International strategy & localization plan (see section below)
- Production plan & budget range
- Delivery & technical spec (IMF, HDR, audio mixes)
- Marketing hooks & cross-platform promotion plan
- Contact & rights statement (chain-of-title)
Show bible + episode guide

Provide a concise show bible (5–12 pages) that includes character bios, world rules, key arcs across season 1 and an episode-by-episode breakdown for the first 6–8 episodes. For scripted: include a pilot script or a 10–15 page extract. For unscripted: include an episode format blueprint and 3–episode rundown samples.
Sample episode or pilot proof

If you can, deliver a fully produced pilot. If not possible, present one of the following:
- A 8–15 minute scripted sample (high-quality locked picture or director's cut).
- A 3–5 minute sizzle reel demonstrating tone, pacing and production values — if you’re on a tight budget, field guides on compact kits and fast vlogging workflows can speed production (see our budget vlogging kit review).
- A fully scripted pilot and a scene-by-scene storyboard or animatic if shooting is not yet feasible.
Include a short note on how the sample was produced (kit, locations, crew), which signals production competence.
Talent attachments & agreements

List confirmed talent and any options or MOUs in place. Commissioning teams care about:
- Showrunner / lead writer with credits.
- Director attachment (if available) and visual references.
- Lead cast attachments or top choices with availability windows.
- Producer / production company with relevant credits and tax-credit track record.
Localization & international format plan

This is a deal-breaker for EMEA commissioning. Your plan should cover translation, dubbing strategy, regional edits, and co-pro potential. Include:
- List of priority languages and territories (e.g., UK, France, Germany, Iberia, Nordics).
- Localization budget % (recommendation: allocate 5–12% of production/post budget for high-volume localization and quality dubbing).
- Preferred dubbing vendors, subtitling format (SRT/TTML/IMSC1), and QC process.
- Plan for culturally sensitive scenes and optional regional edits.
- Proposal for format swaps (e.g., local hosts for unscripted, talent doubles for scripted adaptations).
Business terms & rights checklist

Be explicit about rights you're offering and what you retain. Typical expectations:
- Exclusive first-window SVOD rights per territory (state clearly).
- Merchandising, linear, or AVOD carve-outs listed with timeframes.
- Chain-of-title documents, written agreements for underlying IP, music and archival clearances.
Production schedule & budget band

Commissioners expect realistic timelines and a budget band rather than a fixed line-by-line for first pass. Provide:
- Three-tier budget: lean, mid-range, and premium options.
- Key dates: development, prep, principal photography, post, delivery.
- Tax incentives and co-pro partners listed by territory.
Delivery & technical specs

Show you know modern deliverables. At minimum indicate intent to deliver:
- IMF master package with mezzanine codec (e.g., ProRes / JPEG XS) — IMF is the industry standard in 2026.
- 4K UHD master with HDR (Dolby Vision or HDR10+) and SDR versions.
- Audio stems: stereo, 5.1 and optional Dolby Atmos mix.
- Subtitle files per language (TTML/IMSC1) and closed-caption formats for broadcast.
- Delivery via Signiant/Aspera or equivalent secure transfer.
Marketing & cross-platform plan

Explain how the series will be discovered: social-first hooks, platform-native content, influencer partnerships, and premiere event strategies. Include expected organic uplift from talent social reach if available.
Contact & next steps slide

Close with a clear CTA: availability for a 20–30 minute development call, links to proof assets, and a one-person point of contact. Make it trivial for the commissioner to book time with you.

How to tailor the pitch for Disney+/Hulu EMEA commissioning teams

With the 2025–2026 leadership reshuffle, EMEA commissioners have emphasized regional sensibilities and scale. Use these tactics:

Reference comparable existing Disney+/Hulu titles in tone — but focus on originality.
Demonstrate local audience traction (YouTube views, linear ratings, festival awards) in at least two European markets.
Show co-development options with regional producers — commissioners prefer lower-risk partnerships.
Attach a UK or EU-based production company if you want favorable tax-credit conversations — include previous tax-credit case studies if possible.

When to mention specific executives

It’s fine to call out commissioning leads and their remit to show alignment, e.g., noting a match with VPs overseeing scripted or unscripted EMEA slate. Do this sparingly and always respectfully—don’t imply endorsement.

Tip: Align your creative brief with the remit of the specific commissioner — scripted, factual, format or local originals. Naming the role (e.g., VP Scripted EMEA) signals you did your homework.

Sample pitch deck slide list (copy-paste template)

Title + One-line hook
Elevator pitch (25 words)
Tone & visual references (2–3 images)
Short synopsis (1 page)
Pilot synopsis + key beats
Season arc and episode map (6–8 eps)
Main characters & casting directions
Showrunner & creative team bios
Production plan & high-level budget band
Localization & international strategy
Delivery & technical specs
Comparable titles & audience profile
Marketing hooks & cross-platform plan
Contact, availability & next steps

Technical, software & workflow checklist creators must master (practical tools)

Platforms expect you to understand modern workflows. If you can reference the tools and pipelines you’ll use, it builds confidence.

Pre-production & planning: StudioBinder, Notion, or ShotGrid for scheduling and shot lists.
Production: Camera codecs (ProRes RAW / BRAW where applicable), timecode, and an on-set DIT workflow for color LUTs and backups — if you want practical kit guidance see compact field reviews like the compact home studio kits review and the PocketCam field review (PocketCam Pro).
Post-production: DaVinci Resolve or Avid for editorial and color; Premiere is fine for fast-turn sizzles.
Remote collaboration: Frame.io, Blackbird or cloud editorial services for approvals and dailies.
Localization: AI-assisted transcripts (Descript, Trint) + professional dubbing vendors; subtitle tools like EZTitles; delivery in TTML/IMSC1 — use AI tools to speed transcription and notes (AI summarization for agent workflows).
Delivery & QC: IMF packaging tools, QC with Baton or VidChecker, secure transfer via Aspera/Signiant.

Localization plan — the EMEA differentiator

EMEA buyers are pragmatic: they want shows that can be localized without losing intent or incurring hidden costs. Your localization plan should be its own one-pager in the deck.

What to cover

Priority languages and release strategy (simultaneous vs. staggered).
Dubbing vs subtitling rationale per market.
Vendor and QA pipeline, including native-linguist creative direction for dubbing.
Timing and budget for localization in the production schedule.
Contingency for regional edits (legal, cultural, compliance).

Common best practice in 2026: treat localization as part of creative development, not an afterthought. Early ADR and temp dubbing sessions help commissioners evaluate the show in-market.

Legal & rights — what you must have before submission

Streamers will not proceed without a clean chain of title and clear rights for the territories they care about. Include:

Chain-of-title summary and any underlying IP agreements.
Music rights clearance plan (or intent to use library music).
Talent options / MOUs and initial terms for exclusivity windows.
Distributor or sales agent involvement if seeking pre-sales or co-pro partners.

For legal readiness and stack audits that reduce surprise costs, see practical legal-tech audits like how to audit your legal tech stack.

Outreach & timing — how to get your pitch in front of the right people

Commissioners are busy and tend to open conversations during structured commissioning windows. Use multiple channels:

Industry markets (MIPCOM, Series Mania, Berlinale) and EMEA festivals to meet commissioners and producers — pair festival outreach with micro-event playbooks (micro-events & pop-up playbook).
Producer relationships — partner with an established EMEA production company if you’re early-stage.
Producer reps and agents who have direct access to platform buyers.
A concise cold email with the 25-word elevator and a link to a private viewing (Vimeo/Frame.io) — follow up with a two-line reminder after one week. If you need travel and logistics tips for attending markets, consult travel administration guides (travel administration & visas).

Case study snapshot — how a format edge wins

Consider a hypothetical competition format developed in the UK with clear international swap options: a local host per territory, shared central format rules and modular episode templates. That proposal might secure faster buy-in because it demonstrates both global scalability and local flexibility — exactly what EMEA commissioners have prioritized in recent hiring drives and role reorganizations across the region.

Common pitch mistakes and how to avoid them

Too much concept, not enough deliverable — never send a “maybe” without a pilot sample or sizzle.
No localization plan — in EMEA this signals you haven’t thought about market fit.
Unrealistic budgets — show three budget bands and explain cost trade-offs.
Missing chain-of-title — this stalls legal review immediately.

Final checklist — one-page quick scan before you hit send

One-line hook + 25-word elevator
10–14 slide pitch deck (attached as PDF)
Show bible (5–12 pages)
Pilot script or sample episode (video link)
Talent attachments / MOUs
Localization plan + budget %
High-level production schedule and 3-tier budget
Chain-of-title & music clearance plan
Delivery intent (IMF, HDR, Atmos) & secure transfer method
Contact, availability and next-step CTA

Wrap — why acting like a mini-studio wins commissions

By 2026, commissioners for Disney+/Hulu EMEA are effectively buying mini-studios: projects with creative identity plus operational certainty. If your pitch shows both creative ambition and practical delivery plans — particularly for localization and international scale — you move from a hopeful submission to a production partner. Promotions across the Disney+ EMEA commissioning team in 2025–2026 have made regional strategy central to greenlights; meet that expectation and you’re already competing at their level.

Actionable next steps

Use the one-page quick-scan checklist above; prepare all assets before outreach.
Create a 3–5 minute sizzle (not an endless showreel) and host it on a private player with password protection.
Allocate at least 5–12% of your post budget to professional localization early.
Reach out to a regional production partner and secure at least one talent or director attachment.

Want a downloadable pitch-deck template built for Disney+/Hulu EMEA, including slide examples and a localization budget calculator? Sign up for our creator toolkit and get a walkthrough video showing how to assemble the deliverables and a sample email script to reach commissioners.

Call to action

Ready to convert your idea into a commission-ready package? Download our Disney+/Hulu EMEA pitch kit, join a live workshop, or book a 30-minute review with a commissioning-savvy producer. Click through to get the template and start building a pitch that travels.

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