Pitching to Streamers in EMEA: A Creator’s Guide to Winning Regional Commissions

Pitching to Streamers in EMEA: How to win commissions when commissioners and priorities are shifting

Creators and indie producers tell me the same things: they spend too much time chasing commissions that never materialize, struggle to read regional commissioning signals, and don’t know how to make their concepts match what streamers actually buy. If you want a faster path to meetings and term sheets in 2026, you need a pitch that reflects the people now making decisions and the exact types of projects they want.

Why 2026 is a turning point — and why Disney+ EMEA’s promotions matter

Late 2025 and early 2026 brought clear staffing moves across major streamers that change the incentives for creators pitching in EMEA. When Angela Jain signalled an ambition to set Disney+ up “for long term success in EMEA,” she did more than issue a memo — she recast priorities through targeted promotions. In London, two commissioners were elevated to vice-president roles: Lee Mason (scripted, known for Rivals) and Sean Doyle (unscripted, known for Blind Date). That split — senior leadership explicitly focused on scripted and unscripted — matters for how you package show concepts.

“for long term success in EMEA.” — Angela Jain, Disney+ (internal memo and press briefings, late 2025)

What this tells us: streamers are optimizing commissioning desks around expertise and format specialization. You won’t always reach a generalized buyer — you’ll reach a scripted editor with an appetite for scaleable, local-first drama, or an unscripted commissioner hungry for formats that travel across territories. Your pitch must make it immediately obvious which seat on the commissioning desk should pick it up.

Top regional commissioning trends (late 2025 → 2026)

• Local-first, globally resonant stories: Streamers are doubling down on local-language originals that can be subtitled/dubbed and marketed across EMEA.
• Unscripted formats with franchise potential: Proven format mechanics (competition, social experiment, relationship formats) are still high value if they scale regionally.
• Event and genre growth: Festival-driven genre picks (horror, prestige thrillers) and dependable categories (rom-com, holiday movies) continue to sell on sales slates and to streamers, per recent market announcements.
• Faster development cycles and pilots: Streamers prefer pilots or short proof-of-concept assets to validate audience appetite quickly.
• Co-productions and tax incentives: Budget-savvy commissioners expect producers to know local finance solutions and pre-sale strategies.
• Data-informed creative choices: Editorial teams increasingly expect creators to bring audience insights and growth strategies, not just a creative treatment.

What commissioners like Lee Mason and Sean Doyle are signaling

When a streamer promotes executives with track records in specific hits, they’re telegraphing priorities. Lee Mason’s scripted background suggests a continued appetite for high-concept series with strong lead characters and franchise potential. Sean Doyle’s unscripted leadership signals willingness to back formats that can build audiences quickly and be localized across EMEA territories.

For you, that translates into three immediate actions: emphasize local authenticity + global hook, show how the format can scale or iterate, and bring a clear commercial plan (talent attachments, co-pro partners, and monetization angles).

Nine actionable strategies to align your pitch with EMEA commissioners in 2026

1. Map the desk — and address a single named buyer

Before you send any materials, build a simple buyer map: who is the SVP/VP of Scripted or Unscripted, who are their direct reports, and which acquisitions exec handles your territory? Public promotions and trade reporting in late 2025 make this research faster. Address one named buyer in your email and open with a one-line reason why this project fits their remit.

2. Lead with a one-line "commissioning hook"

Replace a generic logline with a commissioning hook that answers: Why this for this streamer, now? Example: “Local-language three-season drama with franchise hooks and built-in exportability to 12 EMEA territories.” Put that in the subject line and the top of your one-pager.

3. Prove local authenticity and exportability in 60 seconds

Include two short proofs: a local cultural anchor (writer/director or community consultant) and one exportability data point (similar titles that performed across territories). You don’t need proprietary audience data — cite comparable shows or festival momentum. For example, highlight recent sales slate pickups (rom-coms and festival horror titles moving at Content Americas and EFM in early 2026) to show market appetite.

4. Offer format flexibility — from serialized premium to limited-event runs

Commissioners like options. Your treatment should show at least two production modes: a premium serialized route (8–10 episodes) and a lean limited-run or long-form special. For unscripted, include a 6-episode proof-of-concept with an easy localization playbook (sample casting and segment templates for three territories).

5. Present a transparent co-pro and finance plan

Don’t wait for term sheet negotiations to discuss tax reliefs, co-pro partners, or pre-sales. Include a one-page finance appendix listing potential co-pro territories, known tax credits, and named local partners or sales companies you’re talking with. Commissioners will reward producers who reduce scheduling and budget risk.

6. Attach talent strategically — not aspirationally

Attaching a realistic lead (regional talent with audience pull) beats aspirational A-list names that are unlikely. If you can’t secure a star, attach a respected director, showrunner, or a rising cast member from a recent hit. For unscripted formats, attach a credible presenter or format creator with prior deliveries.

7. Build a compact, high-impact pitch pack

Streamline materials. An ideal submission set for early-stage commissioning in 2026 includes:

• One-page commissioning hook (why this fits the streamer now)
• One-page creative synopsis and three-act outline
• Eight-slide deck (tone, audience, format, cast, finance, distribution, milestones)
• Two-minute sizzle or mood reel (even a well-cut self-shot video works)
• Finance appendix with co-pro and tax credit notes

8. Use markets and festivals to validate — strategically

Markets like the European Film Market (EFM), Berlinale Series Market, and Content Americas remain crucial in 2026. But you must be tactical. Prioritize one market per quarter and turn it into a meeting playbook: press kits, buyer-targeted sizzles, and pre-booked 20-minute meetings with commissioning execs or their assistants. If you don’t have a presence, partner with a sales agent who will represent your project at the market.

9. Nail the follow-up rhythm and deliverables

After a pitch meeting, send a concise follow-up within 48 hours with: a short thank-you, a one-page summary of requested next steps, and a date for a version 2 delivery (sizzle, budget, or pilot plan). Keep follow-ups to two emails before pausing — but make each follow-up escalate value (new attachment, data, or market interest).

Pitch templates and subject-line examples

Use these to jumpstart outreach:

• Email subject: "[Project] — Local-language drama with pan-EMEA export plan (for Lee Mason)"
• One-line opener: "Hi [Name], this is a 1-min note on a local-language thriller built to scale across EMEA audiences — attached: one-pager + 2-min sizzle."
• Eight-slide deck headings: 1) Hook + one-liner; 2) Tone & audience; 3) Episode map; 4) Character + talent; 5) Format scalability; 6) Finance & co-pro plan; 7) Market strategy; 8) Ask & timelines.

Market-readiness checklist (pre-meeting)

1. Your one-pager addresses the buyer by name and role.
2. Sizzle is no longer than 2 minutes and loaded with tone & cast.
3. Finance appendix lists at least one co-pro partner or sales company you’ve contacted.
4. You have a festival/market strategy: where you’ll launch pilot or sizzle — EFM/Berlinale/Content Americas.
5. Basic legal checks done: chain of title, underlying rights, and composer/music options.
6. Follow-up plan defined: exact deliverable and deadline if a commissioner asks for more.

Negotiation signals and deal levers

Once a commissioner expresses interest, be prepared to negotiate on these common levers:

• License vs co-production: A license deal gives the streamer exclusive windows without production overhead; a co-pro shares production/control and often unlocks higher budgets.
• Windowing and territories: Clarify EMEA exclusivity vs global rights early.
• Deliverables and timelines: Senior commissioners promoted in 2026 are rewarding teams that compress delivery windows with clear milestones.
• Back-end and performance bonuses: Ask for audience-performance triggers tied to renewal or bonus payments.

Always loop in legal and a producer you trust before signing. If you don’t have an agent or an entertainment lawyer, prioritize that as early-stage budget: the right term sheet negotiation is worth the fee.

Using market intelligence to sharpen your pitch

Recent sales and acquisitions across early 2026 confirm specific appetites: festival-linked genre films are finding international buyers at EFM; curated slates of rom-coms and holiday movies are still moving in the Americas; and streamers continue to place bets on local unscripted formats that can be rolled out regionally. Translate that market intelligence into your pitch by referencing comparable releases — not as guarantees, but as evidence of demand.

Examples of strong positioning (short case studies)

Scripted — Local drama with export legs

Position it as: "A local 8-episode drama with serialized character arcs and a modular second-season plan for co-pro or label-backed expansion." Include: writer with local cultural credentials, director attachment, and a sales agent interested in pre-sales for two territories.

Unscripted — Scalable format play

Position it as: "A competition-format unscripted series with three localization templates (UK, Nordics, DACH) plus a low-cost pilot blueprint." Include: sample casting brief for three territories and format bible with segment timings.

Practical next steps for indie producers and creators

• Update your buyer map weekly: follow promotions and hiring at streamers across EMEA.
• Build a compact pitch kit using the 8-slide framework and a 2-minute sizzle.
• Plan attendance or representation at one major market in 2026 and book targeted 20-minute meetings.
• Secure at least one named local partner (producer, production company, or sales agent) before wide submission.
• Practice a 30-second commissioning pitch that answers: audience, format, and why now.

Final checklist before you hit send

• Named buyer addressed and their remit referenced.
• One-page commissioning hook ready to open the conversation.
• Sizzle and the 8-slide deck refined and compressed.
• Finance appendix with co-pro plan and at least one sales lead.
• Market strategy (EFM / Berlinale / Content Americas) and follow-up calendar.

Why this approach pays off in 2026

Streamers in EMEA are operating with sharper editorial segmentation and faster decision rhythms. Promotions at Disney+ EMEA — which put experienced scripted and unscripted commissioners into VP roles — are not a one-off. They reflect a broader industry trend: specialized commissioning desks, shorter proof-of-concept expectations, and an elevated premium on projects that are locally authentic but exportable. Creators who match the buyer’s remit, reduce production risk, and show commercialization plans will close deals more often.

Resources and next actions

Want a ready-to-use kit? I’ve built a downloadable pitch pack for EMEA commissioners that includes the 8-slide template, a one-page finance appendix template, and a market meeting planner optimized for EFM and Berlinale. Use it to move from theory to meetings in weeks, not months.

Call to action: Join our next live workshop on pitching to streamers in EMEA, download the free EMEA Pitch Pack, or post your one-pager in our community forum for peer feedback. Register at interests.live/pitches and get the exact templates commissioners want in 2026.

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