Pilotserie

Pilotserie is a term used in television production to describe either a single pilot episode or a small set of pilot projects created within a development cycle to test whether a concept should be developed into a full series. The exact meaning and usage vary by language and market; in some contexts it refers to a batch of pilots evaluated by a broadcaster, while in others it simply denotes the first episode of a prospective series.

In practice, a pilotserie involves concept development, script writing, casting, budgeting, and production of one or more pilot episodes. Networks or production companies review the pilots to assess potential audience appeal, market fit, and production viability. If a concept is considered strong, it may receive a series order, additional episodes, or be integrated into a broader development slate. If not, the project is shelved or reworked.

Differences from a standard pilot depend on regional practice. A single pilot is often used to pitch a specific show, while a pilotserie can imply a slate of pilots examined during a development window to maximize the chances of finding a hit. Some markets may release unpicked pilots as web content or keep them unreleased for archival or contractual reasons.

Overall, the pilotserie concept reflects how some broadcasters organize development processes: either as one pilot used to test a concept, or as a structured batch of pilots that collectively inform greenlighting decisions for future series.