Stream Two
Programme Making

The business of programme-making and how content evolves from paper to screen.

Ready to get started?
RTS members receive a 10% discount

Stream Two
Programme Making

The business of programme-making and how content evolves from paper to screen.

Ready to get started?

RTS members receive a 10% discount
Stream Two: Programme Making - seven modules

Explore the topics in each module:


Module 1

Genres & Formats

Recognise why genres and formats exist, the difference between scripted and unscripted, and the key elements of creating a successful format.

Key topics include:

  • Definition & fundamentals of scripted and unscripted television and the genres and subgenres that sit within them
  • Recent trends and the shifting viewing landscape
  • How Netflix thinks about audiences, genres and what makes content travel
  • The DNA of a successful television format – and what makes an idea repeatable, scalable and distinctive
  • How to protect a format and create a successful format bible
  • Case study: Got Talent: Success behind the world's leading TV format


Write your awesome label here.
"It was great to hear from industry experts, and the 10 points of Distinction is such a valuable tool"

Talent Acquisition Specialist | i2c
"Really loved hearing from the Stephen Lambert OBE – the expert who transformed British TV with successful formats”

Unscripted Development Consultant | MEDIA MAKEOVER
"I found the detail on how Netflix use mood tags and taste clusters to group programmes together and target viewers, really interesting"

Production Manager | Silverback Films

Module 2

Development

Examine what happens in the creative process to generate and develop ideas, decide on the ones to back and invest in, and how to pitch them to commissioners.

Key topics include:

  • The development and greenlight process – how ideas are originated, assessed, prioritised and funded
  • How development works within the wider television business, and the people and processes that drive it
  • How projects progress from a simple idea to a fully realised, market-ready concept
  • The dos and don’ts of creating a successful pitch​
Write your awesome label here.
"This module gets to the nitty and gritty of trade – it’s the sales and selling of great ideas"

Executive Producer | North One TV
"I found the difference between pitching in the UK and the US interesting – it’s so different, which surprised me"

Series Editor | BBC Ireland
"I think the focus on relationships is a key reminder that almost every job relies on who you know and clear communication goes a long way"

Head of Press | Little Dot Studios

Module 3

Commissioning

Explore why commissioners are in the risk business and the range of criteria they need to consider to decide if they will back an idea into production.

Key topics include:

  • How commissioning works within the wider tv landscape, from strategy and structure to investment decisions 
  • Who’s investing, where money goes and how buyers decide what to back 
  • The role of the commissioner – how teams are structured and briefs are shaped How a commission moves from strategy through production, delivery and beyond 
  • The producer–commissioner relationship  
  • Real-world case studies including Gavin & Stacey and Glow-Up 
  • Case study: The Traitors: Understanding the development & commissioning process
Write your awesome label here.
"As I’m about to head into a formal commissioning round, this module couldn’t have been more timely!"

Series Editor & Creative | BBC Ireland
"A really useful module - I greatly appreciated the honest insight from the commissioners and the case studies of Gavin & Stacey and Glow Up were brilliant"

Development Consultant | MEDIA MAKEOVER
"I was very interested to see the huge leap in international commissions in the UK in just a few years"

Managing Director & Co-founder | Pica Pica Films

Module 4

Funding a Production

Explore the range of funding options for programme-making and how different financing models can be applied to fund programmes.

Key topics include:

  • The cost of production​ & the scale of investment involved 
  • The evolution of the funding landscape and the diversification of funding sources 
  • Key concepts, including; SPVs, tax credits​ and the eight core funding models 
  • The practical realities of funding a production & managing cash flow 
  • The art of building a successful funding plan 

Write your awesome label here.
"Fascinating section, particularly enjoyed the tax credit and SPV explanations"

Executive Producer | North One TV
"The involvement of banks and private equity is an aspect of program financing that I hadn’t considered before"

Growth and Media | Apple TV
"Developing a clearer understanding of cashflow requirements, funding structures and commercial priorities will directly inform my approach to future deal-making"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV

Module 5

Production Management

Take a deep dive into how a programme is made and the role of production management; what does it take to deliver a show on time to budget and with high production values.

Key topics include:

  • Delivering the creative vision for a programme through production management 
  • The structure & roles within production teams 
  • How producers and production managers work together to deliver a project 
  • Key stages of the production lifecycle, from scheduling, budgeting and IP clearances through to duty of care & sustainability 
  • The tools and technology that keep productions running efficiently 
  • Case study: Gentleman in Moscow: Exceptional production management
Write your awesome label here.
"A really meaty module that drove home how vast the production management remit is. The teams cover so much ground"

Development Consultant | MEDIA MAKEOVER
"Seeing production management through the lens of project management makes it a lot more relatable and transferable for my current role"

Growth & Media | Apple TV
"It gave me a clearer sense of the risk architecture sitting beneath any serious production"
Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV

Module 6

Production Accounting

Understand the role of audience insights within the industry. Learn to interpret audience data confidently and apply it to real commercial decision-making.

Key topics include:

  • The critical role of production accounting in programme delivery – controlling costs, managing cash flow and maintaining financial discipline 
  • Key accounting activities and processes across the production lifecycle 
  • The skills and responsibilities involved, from managing budgets to tracking and reporting financial performance 
  • The digital tools and platforms used to manage production finances 
Write your awesome label here.
"I think this module has underlined how this industry, for all its exciting creativity, is still a business, where a production has to earn more than it spends"
Executive Producer | North One TV
“I appreciated having the IR35 clearly described as it’s been a thorny issue”

Managing Director | Remarkable Entertainment
"It was valuable to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of production accounting and the sheet volume of work involved"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV

Module 7

Distribution & Exploitation

This module provides key insights into the role of Distribution in generating significant revenue from selling and exploiting programme assets across international markets.

Key topics include:

  • The fundamentals of TV distribution – from selling content internationally to the commercial strategies underpinning the global TV business 
  • The essentials of the selling process, including windowing, content valuation and deal structures 
  • The role distributors play in financing and exploiting IP 
  • Television markets and festivals, the UK export market, and the skills needed to succeed 
Write your awesome label here.
"Particularly valuable to hear directly from the ITV distribution team and gain insight into how one of the sector’s leading operators approaches sales, deal structures and market strategy"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV
“This module has got me thinking about how the value of IP can be maximised in so many different ways, and the increasing importance of a long tail of revenue"

Series Editor & Creative | BBC Ireland
“I was struck by the importance of distributors at an early stage of production and even development.”

MD & Co-Founder | Pica Pica Films

Module 1

Genres & Formats

Recognise why genres and formats exist, the difference between scripted and unscripted, and the elements of a successful format.

Key topics include:

  • Definition & fundamentals of scripted and unscripted television and the genres and subgenres that sit within them
  • Recent trends and the shifting viewing landscape
  • How Netflix thinks about audiences, genres and what makes content travel
  • The DNA of a successful television format – and what makes an idea repeatable, scalable and distinctive
  • How to protect a format and create a successful format bible
  • Case study: Got Talent: Success behind the world's leading TV format

Watch the intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"It was great to hear from industry experts, and the 10 points of Distinction is such a valuable tool"

Talent Acquisition Specialist | i2c
"Really loved hearing from  Stephen Lambert OBE – the expert who transformed British TV with successful formats”

Unscripted Development Consultant | MEDIA MAKEOVER
"I found the detail on how Netflix use mood tags and taste clusters to group programmes together and target viewers really interesting"

Production Manager | Silverback Films

Module 2

Development

Examine the creative process to generate and develop ideas, decide on the ones to back and invest in, and how to pitch them to commissioners.

Key topics include:

  • The development and greenlight process – how ideas are originated, assessed, prioritised and funded
  • How development works within the wider television business, and the people and processes that drive it
  • How projects progress from a simple idea to a fully realised, market-ready concept
  • The dos and don’ts of creating a successful pitch​
Watch the intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"This module gets to the nitty and gritty of trade – it’s the sales and selling of great ideas"

Executive Producer | North One TV
"I found the difference between pitching in the UK and the US interesting – it’s so different, which surprised me"

Series Editor | BBC Ireland
"I think the focus on relationships is a key reminder that almost every job relies on who you know and clear communication goes a long way"

Head of Press | Little Dot Studios

Module 3

Commissioning

Why commissioners are in the risk business, the criteria they use to decide whether to back an idea into production, and what happens at each stage of the commissioning lifecycle.

Key topics include:

  • How commissioning works within the wider tv landscape
  • Who’s investing, where money goes and how buyers decide what to back 
  • The role of the commissioner – how teams are structured, how briefs are shaped 
  • How a commission moves from strategy through production, delivery and beyond 
  • The producer–commissioner relationship  
  • Real-world case studies including Gavin & Stacey and Glow-Up 
  • Case study: The Traitors: Understanding the development & commissioning process
Watch the intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"As I’m about to head into a formal commissioning round, this module couldn’t have been more timely!"

Series Editor & Creative | BBC Ireland
"I greatly appreciated the honest insight from the commissioners and the case studies of Gavin & Stacey and Glow Up were brilliant"

Development Consultant | MEDIA MAKEOVER
"I was very interested to see the huge leap in international commissions in the UK in just a few years"

Managing Director & Co-founder | Pica Pica Films

Module 4

Funding a Production

Explore the range of funding options for programme-making and how different financing models can be applied to fund programmes.

Key topics include:

  • The cost of production​ & the scale of investment involved 
  • The evolution of the funding landscape and the diversification of funding sources 
  • Key concepts, including; SPVs, tax credits​ and the eight core funding models 
  • The practical realities of funding a production & managing cash flow 
  • The art of building a successful funding plan 
 Watch the Intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"Fascinating section, particularly enjoyed the tax credit and SPV explanations"

Executive Producer | North One TV
"The involvement of banks and private equity is an aspect of program financing that I hadn’t considered before"

Growth and Media | Apple TV
"Developing a clearer understanding of cashflow requirements, funding structures and commercial priorities will directly inform my approach to future deal-making"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV

Module 5

Production Management

Take a deep dive into how a programme is made and the role of production management; what does it take to deliver a show on time to budget and with high production values.

Key topics include:

  • Delivering the creative vision for a programme through production management 
  • The structure & roles within production teams 
  • How producers and production managers work together to deliver a project 
  • Key stages of the production lifecycle, from scheduling, budgeting and IP clearances through to duty of care & sustainability 
  • The tools and technology that keep productions running efficiently 
  • Case study: Gentleman in Moscow: Exceptional production management
Watch the intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"A really meaty module that drove home how vast the production management remit is. The teams cover so much ground"

Development Consultant | MEDIA MAKEOVER
"Seeing production management through the lens of project management makes it a lot more relatable and transferable for my current role"

Growth & Media | Apple TV
"It gave me a clearer sense of the risk architecture sitting beneath any serious production"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV

Module 6

Production Accounting

Understand the role of audience insights within the industry. Learn to interpret audience data confidently and apply it to real commercial decision-making.

Key topics include:

  • The critical role of production accounting in programme delivery – controlling costs, managing cash flow and maintaining financial discipline 
  • Key accounting activities and processes across the production lifecycle 
  • The skills and responsibilities involved, from managing budgets to tracking and reporting financial performance 
  • The digital tools and platforms used to manage production finances 
Watch the Intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"I think this module has underlined how this industry, for all its exciting creativity, is still a business, where a production has to earn more than it spends"

Executive Producer | North One TV
“I appreciated having the IR35 clearly described as it’s been a thorny issue”

Managing Director | Remarkable Entertainment
"It was valuable to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of production accounting and the sheet volume of work involved"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV

Module 7

Distribution & Exploitation

This module provides key insights into the role of Distribution in generating significant revenue from selling and exploiting programme assets across international markets.

Key topics include:

  • The fundamentals of TV distribution – from selling content internationally to the commercial strategies underpinning the global TV business 
  • The essentials of the selling process, including windowing, content valuation and deal structures 
  • The role distributors play in financing and exploiting IP 
  • Television markets and festivals, the UK export market, and the skills needed to succeed 
Watch the Intro video
Write your awesome label here.
"Particularly valuable to hear directly from the ITV distribution team and gain insight into how one of the sector’s leading operators approaches sales, deal structures and market strategy"

Director, Development, Acquisitions & Partnerships Consultant | Electric Sky TV
“This module has got me thinking about how the value of IP can be maximised in so many different ways, and the increasing importance of a long tail of revenue"

Series Editor & Creative | BBC Ireland
“I was struck by the importance of distributors at an early stage of production and even development.”
MD & Co-Founder | Pica Pica Films

Explore Stream Two case studies

Real-world relevance with high-profile business cases within the industry.

Got Talent: Success behind the world's leading TV format

Write your awesome label here.

George Kay's creative process: Concepts for high-end drama

Write your awesome label here.

Rivals: From script to screen

Write your awesome label here.

The Traitors: Understanding the development & commissioning process

Write your awesome label here.

A Gentleman in Moscow: Exceptional production management

Write your awesome label here.

End of Stream Two learner feedback

“This really is such a brilliant course, I'm learning so much and I feel it's going to be fantastically useful in my career” 

Series Editor & Creative, BBC 

"The breadth and depth of the content is fantastic; can't think of any 'real-life' experience I could try to jump into that would provide this without years of work!"

Client Account Lead Senior Manager, Accenture

“Fantastic course. Tons of content and knowledge, all delivered with compelling insight into today’s industry trends”  

Series Producer Director, BBC Studios 

“Brilliant, up-to-date insight with fascinating contributions from key industry figures”  

Unscripted Development Consultant, Media Makeover 

“I think it just goes into so much detail – I’m learning an awful lot” 

Series Editor & Creative, BBC 

“A really useful overview of how the TV business fits together. It's filled in many gaps, sharpened up things I half-knew, and given helpful context beyond the day-to-day of development.” 

Head of Development, Orchard Studios

Head of Development, Orchard Studios

“It’s been an incredibly enriching experience. Gaining an informed understanding of the tv industry’s entire ecosystem is extremely important for understanding why the industry operates the way it does."

Marketing Assistant, Retail Group

“This really is such a brilliant course, I'm learning so much and I feel it's going to be fantastically useful in my career” 

Series Editor & Creative, BBC 

"Stream Two has been practical, relevant, and directly applicable to production and team management”

Line Producer, Optomen

“Stream Two has pushed me into areas outside my natural knowledge zone - demystifying these areas and presenting them in an accessible way”

TV Strategy, Development & Acquisitions Consultant

“I think the emphasis on making TV production stack up as a viable business is invaluable.” 

Executive Producer, North One

“The different funding models were very interesting and seeing them all in one place really underlined how diverse that part of the industry is” 

Media & Growth Leader, Apple TV

“I’ve found Stream Two particularly valuable for linking strategic frameworks to real broadcast operations. The focus on leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making under pressure has sharpened how I balance creative ambition with commercial realities.” 

Line Producer, Optomen

Thanks to all the organisations who contributed to Stream Two, including: