Backdoor Pilot
A backdoor pilot is an episode of an existing show used to test characters or storylines for a potential spin-off series.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the US government agency that regulates broadcast television and radio, setting content standards and licensing rules that affect all broadcast media.
Lead-In
A Lead-In is the television program or content that immediately precedes a show in the broadcast schedule, significantly influencing the following program’s viewership.
Lead-Out
A Lead-Out is the television program that immediately follows a show in the broadcast schedule, benefiting from the audience delivered by the preceding program.
Basic Cable Network
A Basic Cable Network is a television channel included in standard cable subscriptions — available without premium fees — historically a significant source of family and children’s programming.
Broadcast Network
A Broadcast Network is a television network transmitting over public airwaves — free with an antenna — subject to FCC regulations and historically offering the largest audiences and most prestigious credits in television.
Nielsen Rating
A Nielsen Rating measures television audience size — the percentage of TV households watching a specific program — historically the primary currency of broadcast advertising sales.
TV Spinoff
A TV Spinoff is a new series derived from an existing show — using familiar characters, settings, or concepts to leverage established audience relationships while creating new storytelling opportunities.
Vertical Programming
Vertical Programming is a broadcasting strategy of airing multiple consecutive episodes of the same series — a marathon approach used to introduce new audiences and maximize content library value.
TV Affiliates
TV Affiliates are locally owned stations with agreements to air major broadcast network programming — forming the distributed system through which national networks reach local audiences across the country.