Distinguishing Television Networks, Cable, and Online Media: Crucial Discrepancies
In the ever-evolving world of television, the art of screenwriting varies significantly depending on the platform. Here, we delve into the key differences and strategies for writing screenplays for TV networks, cable, and online media platforms.
Story Structure Differences
Network TV
Network TV favours episodic or hybrid structures, with clear act breaks to accommodate commercials (typically 3-4 acts) and usually self-contained episodes for easy syndication and casual viewing. Episodes often resolve their main plotlines within one hour, with some ongoing arcs to maintain viewer interest. Examples include procedural dramas like Law & Order or sitcoms like The Office.
Cable TV
Cable TV often leans towards serial storytelling with continuous story arcs across episodes and seasons, allowing for deeper character development and complex narratives. Cable audiences expect edgier, more provocative content since cable allows fewer censorship constraints.
Online Streaming Platforms
Online streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu) offer more freedom with format and episode length, often blending episodic and serial structures. They encourage binge-watching, so stories emphasize strong character arcs and cliffhangers. This platform allows for a wide variety of genres and storytelling styles and sometimes fewer act breaks, as there are no commercials.
Format and Formatting Conventions
Regardless of platform, professional screenplays generally follow industry-standard formatting with single-spaced action lines, capitalized scene headings, centered character names above dialogue, and sparing use of parentheticals and transitions. Proper formatting signals discipline and readiness for industry collaboration.
For TV specifically, scripts vary in length depending on the platform's expected episode duration, commercial breaks (for networks), and content style. Network scripts might be tightly timed to fit broadcast slots, cable and streaming scripts may be more flexible.
Writing Strategies for Each Platform
Network TV
Write clear, fast-paced episodes with strong episodic closure but also maintain some serialized elements. Focus on broad, accessible storytelling with well-defined act breaks for ads. Character development is steady but often less complex due to episode constraints and larger audience demographics.
Cable TV
Embrace complex characters, darker themes, and serialized storytelling with layered arcs. Write with premium cable’s tone and audience in mind—more mature, distinctive voices, and fewer constraints on language or subject matter.
Streaming/Online
Lean into bold stories and characters that hook binge audiences. Utilize non-traditional structures (no strict act breaks), flexible episode lengths, and genre-crossing narratives. Craft strong pilots and season arcs since release strategies prioritize continuous viewing.
In summary, writing for network TV requires episodic clarity and act-break discipline, cable TV demands serialized depth and mature themes, and streaming platforms offer freedom to innovate in format and storytelling to attract binge audiences. Proper formatting is essential across all mediums to signal professionalism.
In adherence to the platform's specific regulations, it is crucial to ensure compliance with industry-standard screenplay formatting for TV networks, cable, and online media platforms. To achieve success, a writer must understand the coverage each platform provides and tailor their story structure and writing strategies accordingly.
For example, to write for network TV, one must focus on constructing clear, fast-paced episodes with episodic closure and act breaks, while also maintaining some serialized elements to cater to broad, accessible storytelling. On the other hand, when writing for cable TV, one should prioritize complex characters, darker themes, and serialized storytelling with intricate arcs, keeping in mind the audience's mature preferences and fewer censorship constraints. Finally, when writing for streaming platforms, it is advisable to emphasize bold stories and characters that hook binge audiences, utilizing non-traditional structures, flexible episode lengths, and genre-crossing narratives, with a focus on strong pilot and season arcs to attract continuous viewing. These strategies, alongside proper formatting, contribute to demonstrating professionalism within the entertainment industry.
