With cable networks and digital platforms stepping up original production, broadcast networks are no longer the only game in town. Broadcast has lost a lot of its clout, but by sheer volume — hundreds of pitches bought and 80+ pilots shot every year — broadcast pilot season remains the ultimate TV business lottery with long odds to go to pilot. Here is Deadline’s annual list of The Overachievers of Pilot Season, which lists the select few individuals and production companies that beat the odds, and then some.
Another very strong pilot season for independent producer Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment, who has six broadcast pilots across all four major networks: drama Broad Squad and comedies Chev & Bev starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo and untitled NBA project at ABC as well as comedies Life In Pieces at CBS, Strange Calls at NBC and untitled Dana Klein at Fox. Kaplan has a total of eight pilots in production at the moment, including two on the cable side: comedies Divorce at HBO starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Kevin From Work at ABC Family.
