ABC is developing three times the number of pilots it did last year as the network looks to restock its arsenal of successful series.
“We couldn’t be more bullish on our development this year,” ABC Entertainment Television Group co-chairman Lloyd Braun said Wednesday during the network’s development presentation to media buyers. In fact, Braun and co-chairman Stu Bloomberg told media buyers that they will “put their money where their mouth is” by mailing out copies of their comedy and drama pilot scripts to those buyers who request them.
ABC has 34 pilots on its 2001-02 development slate, including 10 dramas and 18 comedies. ABC scaled back its pilot orders last year as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” drove the network to the top of the primetime pack. But now that “Millionaire’s” numbers have cooled off and ABC faces the prospect of falling from first to third place this season in the 18-49 demo rankings, the network is stepping up its development of scripted series, particularly comedies.
ABC Revs Up Pilot Engine
