pitchestemplatesstreaming

Pitch Toolkit: 6 Short Treatments That Will Catch a Disney+ EMEA Exec’s Eye

vviral

2026-02-02

11 min read

Six one-page treatment templates tailored for Disney+ EMEA—loglines, audience KPIs, and production notes to get your project commissioned fast.

Hook: Stop sending long decks that never get read — give a Disney+ EMEA exec a one-page hit

You're competing with thousands of creators and producers for a slim commissioning window. The fastest route to a meeting with Disney+ EMEA in 2026 is a razor‑sharp, one‑page treatment that answers the exec's three questions in 30 seconds: Is this right for our audience? Can it be made on our terms (budget, timeline, partners)? Will it move subscribers and press?

This guide gives you six customizable one-page treatment templates built for what Disney+ EMEA is actively commissioning in 2026—scripted prestige, franchise-adjacent family, unscripted competition/dating, factual docuseries, YA coming‑of‑age, and kids animation/live-action hybrids. Each template includes a ready-to-use logline, audience KPIs to aim for, and production notes you can copy into your pitch.

Why now: Disney+ EMEA’s commissioning edge in 2026

Angela Jain’s internal reshuffle (reported by Deadline) and the promotion of commissioners like Lee Mason (Scripted) and Sean Doyle (Unscripted) signaled a tighter EMEA playbook: local voices, compact seasons, and formats that travel across Europe. Jain said the goal is to set the team up “for long term success in EMEA.” That means fewer scattershot slates and more scalable IP that can be localized quickly.

Key platform shifts you must bake into your one‑page:

Local-first, global-ready: Local language shows with clear localization hooks (dub/sub assets, adaptable format) outperform generic global pieces.
Short seasons, high engagement: 6–8 episode seasons or limited series remain the sweet spot for scripted commissioning.
Franchise adjacency: IP that can live in Disney’s family-facing ecosystem or be adapted for kids/young adults has higher upside.
Unscripted formats that scale: Competitions and social-first dating formats that feed snackable clips and creator tie-ins are hot.
Data-driven pitches: Show proof-of-demand with short-form metrics: TikTok virality, festival awards, local broadcast ratings, or platform pilot performance.

How to use these templates

Each one‑page template below is structured to give a commissioner what they need: a one‑line logline, the audience & metrics (benchmarks in 2026), three episode stakes, production notes, and a specific commissioning ask. Copy the template into your one-sheet and personalize the fields in ALL CAPS.

Tip: Put the logline and one-line hook at the very top. If you lose a reader after 10 seconds, those lines must sell the rest.

Template 1 — Local Prestige Scripted (6–8 eps)

Best for: High‑concept dramas rooted in a European country/locale with series potential and international appeal.

One‑page treatment (copy & customize)

Title: [WORKING TITLE]

Logline: [SHORT LOGLINE — 18–25 WORDS: WHO does WHAT, WHY NOW, WHAT’S AT STAKE]

One-line hook: [EASY SELL — “A X meets Y in LOCATION”]

Format: 6 x 45–55 mins. Serialized, production-ready pilot.

Tone & comps: Moody, cinematic. Comps: Rivals, Gomorrah, Bodyguard. Target: 25–54 drama viewers.

Audience & metrics (benchmarks):

Primary demo: 25–54 (skew by country where appropriate)
Launch KPI: aim for 50–150k complete viewers per major market (UK/DE/FR/IT/ES) in first 28 days; cross‑EMEA target 500k–1.5M cumulative completes.
Retention: >70% episode-to-episode completion in first three episodes is a strong signal for renewal.

Three episode stakes (arc beats):

Pilot: Inciting crime/betrayal that redefines the protagonist’s life.
Mid‑season: Stakes escalate with a clampdown that threatens public exposure.
Finale: Moral cost—protagonist must choose public safety vs personal salvation.

Production notes: Budget band €3–6M per episode (adjust by country incentives). Location: one primary country with 1–2 standing sets. Camera: Arri Alexa LF or equivalent. VFX: practical effects focus, 10–15% of budget for minor VFX. Languages: deliverable in original language + English dub/sub and two key local dubs.

Pitch assets: Pilot script, 6‑page series bible, director/showrunner bios, sizzle reel (90–180s), 2‑3 min scene reel with leads, key art mock, sample localization plan.

Commission ask: Development to pilot (€150–400k) or straight to series with co‑prod partner attached. Proposed delivery timeline: 12–18 months to delivery.

Template 2 — Family Franchise‑Adjacent Series

Best for: IP or original concepts that slot into Disney’s family-first ecosystem and can spin into merchandising, games, or short-form content.

One‑page treatment

Title: [WORKING TITLE]

Logline: [LOGLINE: CHARACTER + QUEST + FAMILY VALUE — 15–20 WORDS]

Format: 8 x 24–30 mins or 7 x 45 mins (family adventure). Flexible for binge or weekly drops.

Tone & comps: Fun, warm, visually vibrant. Comps: The Mandalorian (tone beats), Heartstopper (emotional core), terrestrial family adventure series.

Audience & metrics (benchmarks):

Target: Families with kids 6–13 and parents 25–44.
Engagement KPI: Clip virality target — 100k‑500k short‑form views per market within 30 days of launch from official clips. See tactical ideas in the AI vertical video playbook for vertical-first clip structure.
Retention: Aim for >60% same-day view completes among family accounts.

Three episode stakes:

Pilot: Inciting adventure that pulls family into a larger mystery.
Mid: A challenge threatens family bonds; reveals big world lore.
Finale: Emotional resolution and a franchise teeter—set up spin‑offs.

Production notes: Budget band €1–3M per episode. Visual effects moderate—budget 15–25% for creature or worldbuilding VFX. Strong focus on child-safe stunts and insurance. Merchandising bible & IP protections included.

Pitch assets: Bible with 3 season arcs, art bible, merchandising deck, theme music demo, sample episode beat sheet, safety and child welfare plan.

Commission ask: Development pilot + merchandising rights discussion. Delivery: 9–14 months.

Template 3 — Unscripted Competition/Dating Format

Best for: Formats designed to spawn fast clips, social activation and local adaptations across EMEA.

One‑page treatment

Title: [FORMAT TITLE]

Logline: [ONE LINE: FORMAT + UNIQUE TWIST]

Format: 8–12 x 30–60 mins. Modular format with 3–5 minute clip-friendly moments per ep.

Tone & comps: High‑energy, social-first. Comps: Love Island, Rivals, Blind Date. Built for repurposing into 30–90s clips.

Audience & metrics (benchmarks):

Target demo: 16–34 with strong social footprint.
Clip KPIs: 500k–2M aggregated short-form views across platforms in first 14 days (platform+UGC).
Retention KPI: High social conversation (shares/comments) measured by volume & sentiment in first 7 days.

Three episode stakes:

Pilot: Introduce unique format twist and standout contestant archetype.
Mid: Format twist is weaponized; alliances shift and virality spikes.
Finale: Big reveal/exit that guarantees clipable moment and press coverage.

Production notes: Lower per‑ep cost — €150k–600k per episode depending on scale. Requirements: flexible multi-camera set, fast turnaround edit pipeline for socials (24–48h), music rights plan for UGC reuse.

Pitch assets: Format bible, 2‑minute sizzle, sample clip pack (vertical), format flipbook notes, social activation plan, host and potential contestant archetype list, localization guide for 3 key markets.

Commission ask: Format commission + production commitment for S1 with option for local adaptations. Fast delivery timeline (6–9 months).

Template 4 — Factual/Docuseries (Limited)

Best for: True stories with a strong European identity and built‑in archive or access that creates cultural conversation.

One‑page treatment

Title: [WORKING TITLE]

Logline: [LOGLINE: THE TRUE STORY AND ITS GLANCE — 20 WORDS]

Format: 4–6 x 40–60 mins. Documentary limited series.

Tone & comps: Investigative, intimate. Comps: Nothing Compares, The Vow, European-focused docs that drive subscriptions and PR.

Audience & metrics (benchmarks):

Core demo: 25–64, culturally curious viewers.
Launch KPI: Strong press pickup and social conversation within 48 hours; viewership target 250k–800k across EMEA in 28 days.
Engagement KPI: 60% complete watch of the first episode is a healthy signal for critical traction.

Three episode stakes:

Pilot: Uncover the central mystery with new testimony or archive.
Mid: Reveal shifts the public narrative, new evidence or twist.
Finale: Resolution that reframes consequences and possible actionables for viewers.

Production notes: Budget band €300k–1M per hour depending on archive/licensing costs. Key needs: rights clearance, forensic research, legal sign‑off, multilingual interviews. Delivery: HD+ archive cleaning and subtitling for at least 4 languages.

Pitch assets: Episode outline, access letter(s), sample interview clips, editorial calendar for release & PR plan.

Commission ask: Limited series commission with confirmed access or conditional development based on obtaining key clearances.

Template 5 — Young Adult / Coming‑of‑Age

Best for: Serialized YA drama or dramedy that taps Gen Z cultural moments and creates cross‑platform fandom.

One‑page treatment

Title: [TITLE]

Logline: [LOGLINE: PROTAGONIST, WORLD, NEED — 15–20 WORDS]

Format: 8 x 30–40 mins. Pace for binge and social discovery.

Tone & comps: Honest, music‑forward. Comps: Heartstopper, Sex Education, Euphoria (tone variants).

Audience & metrics (benchmarks):

Target: 13–24 (primary) plus young parents 30–44 (secondary).
Social engagement: target for TikTok/Instagram creator syncs — 200k+ UGC views in launch month. See the micro-event playbook for creator-led activation tactics you can adapt.
Completion: >65% series completion among registered young accounts.

Three episode stakes:

Pilot: The protagonist’s world is upended by a relationship or identity reveal.
Mid: The teen must choose authenticity vs social survival.
Finale: A public stand that redefines peer dynamics and sets season two hooks.

Production notes: Budget €500k–1.5M per episode. Strong music budget and licensing plan; social-first editorial team; young cast wardrobe and welfare plan.

Pitch assets: Character reels, sample episode script, playlist and music strategy, influencer outreach plan, diversity & inclusion statement.

Commission ask: Development to pilot or S1 commission with attached showrunner; timeline 9–14 months.

Template 6 — Kids Animation / Live‑Action Hybrid

Best for: IP that blends animation with live-action for preschool or early primary audiences, optimized for merch and short-form spin.

One‑page treatment

Title: [TITLE]

Logline: [LOGLINE: SIMPLE, PLAYFUL, CHARACTER DRIVEN — 12–18 WORDS]

Format: 20 x 11 mins or 10 x 22 mins. Episodic with short arcs.

Tone & comps: Bright, educational, warm. Comps: Muppet Babies-style hybrid, modern preschool animation.

Audience & metrics (benchmarks):

Target: Kids 3–8 and parental co‑viewers.
Engagement: High repeat view target — episodes average 2–4 plays per household within first 30 days.
Merch/KPI: Licensing potential documented; sample toy/format concepts included.

Three episode stakes:

Pilot: Introduce the play rule and key lovable creature/host.
Mid: A learning moment that reinforces the series’ curriculum.
Finale: Big playful set-piece that doubles as merch idea launch.

Production notes: Budget range €150k–600k per half hour depending on animation complexity. Deliverables: broadcast masters, pre‑school curriculum notes, safe advertising plan.

Pitch assets: Show bible, sample episode animatic (2–3 mins), curriculum brief, merchandising mock, parent testing results if available.

Commission ask: Development with pilot animatic or direct S1 if attached to proven school/child brand partner.

Advanced pitching tactics & checklist (actionable, 2026 edition)

Beyond the one‑page, here’s what moves a Disney+ EMEA desk in 2026. Use this as your pitch checklist.

Personalize by exec & role: Scripted → Lee Mason. Unscripted → Sean Doyle. Include a one‑line on why the project suits their remit.
Show proof-of-demand: 30–90s TikTok reels, short film festival metrics, or local broadcast numbers. Even a 50k‑view viral short is persuasive. For clip strategy, see the creative automation notes on templates and re-use.
Localization plan: Deliverables strategy for dubs/subs and a list of two local language partners. Use modular publishing workflows to make deliverables repeatable.
Rights & windows clarity: Be explicit about linear/legacy windows, SVOD exclusivity term, and merchandising rights. Ambiguity kills deals.
Environmental & health plan: Sustainability checklist, child welfare plan, and insurance assumptions—these are standard asks in 2026.
Social & creator activation: Include a 90‑day post-launch plan that leans on creators for clips and UGC seeding. Show expected clip cadence.
Budget ranges: Give realistic bands, and a one‑line on where savings can be found (e.g., tax incentives, co‑pro partner). Don’t pretend it’s free.

How to validate your metrics before you pitch

Commissioners want numbers that feel real. If you don’t have linear ratings, build a mini proof of demand:

Release a 90–120s pilot scene on YouTube and TikTok with targeted ads in your key country—measure watch complete rates and engagement. Consider creator-led activations from the micro-event playbook for live seeding.
Run a private screening for 100–200 target viewers, collect survey data on intent-to-watch and net promoter score (NPS).
Package creator/influencer endorsements showing reach & engagement (not vanity follower counts). Provide two sample UGC creators willing to seed clips; see creator tie-in tactics in the pop-up tech and live-funnel playnotes.

Sample fill-in: Quick start one‑page (copyable)

Use this as the first page of your pitch packet. All fields are mandatory for a commissioner to give you feedback.

Title: ________
Logline (18–25 words): ________
One‑line hook: ________
Format: ________ (eps x runtime)
Target demo & KPIs: ________ (example: 25–54, 500k EMEA completes in 28 days)
Comparable shows: ________
Budget band: ________
Key attachments: ________ (showrunner, director, talent)
Commission ask: ________ (development/pilot/series + € amount)
Delivery timeline: ________

Legal & producer tips before you send

Have a one‑page rights memo ready. Who owns what after commissioning? Spell it out.
Confirm clearances for archive, music and any real‑world brands mentioned.
Attach CVs and credits for key creatives in a single page—commissioners scan for track record and tone matches.

Final note: Pitch like an operator, not a dreamer

Disney+ EMEA commissioners in 2026 want ideas that are creative and executable. That means clear audience targets, realistic budgets, short delivery timelines, and social activation baked in. Use the templates above to turn a promising idea into a one‑page instrument that gets read, gets the meeting, and gets funding.

Want editable Google Doc versions of these six one‑page treatments and a 10‑point pitch checklist tailored to Disney+ EMEA? Click through to download or submit a short blurb and we’ll review your one‑page live. For quick pack-and-repeat deliverables, see modular publishing workflows.

Call to action

Download the editable templates, get a free 5‑minute pitch review, or join our weekly brief for commissioning alerts and casting opportunities in Europe. Don’t let a good idea die in a long deck—ship the one‑pager that opens doors.

viral

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.