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Preparing a One-Pager for Platform Executives: The Quick Guide Creators Need (BBC & Disney+ Edition)

UUnknown

2026-02-18

9 min read

A practical one-page pitch template for creators to land bespoke deals with platform execs—inspired by BBC-YouTube and Disney+ EMEA moves.

Hook: Stop sending essays — give platform execs the one-page clarity they actually read

Creators and publishers: you’re juggling dozens of tools, chasing revenue, and losing hours to long, unfocused pitches that never get read. Platform executives at the BBC’s 2026 discussions to make bespoke shows for YouTube and Disney+’s recent EMEA commissioning reshuffle, this quick guide gives you a battle-tested one-pager pitch template to win attention and move to commission.

Why one page? Why now (2026 trends that matter)

Executives are optimizing decision speed. In late 2025 and early 2026 we saw clear signals: the BBC negotiating bespoke content partnerships with YouTube and Disney+ promoting dedicated EMEA commissioners (Deadline/Variety coverage). These moves mean platforms are favoring platform-specific briefs — and they expect concise, data-led submissions.

Faster commissioning cycles: Internal teams are leaner and empowered — decisions happen quicker but with higher scrutiny.
Platform-specific briefs: Platforms want content designed for their audiences, not repurposed broadcast ideas.
Data-first expectations: Execs expect performance projections and comparable benchmarks up front.
Localized commissioning: EMEA hubs (e.g., Disney+ London) are commissioning regionally — so tailor to geography.

What a platform exec really needs in 2026 (short checklist)

Before you draft the one-pager, confirm you can answer these in one glance:

What is it? (Format + logline)
Why this platform? (Audience fit & distribution)
Evidence it will work (metrics & comps)
Scope & deliverables (ep count, length, timeline)
Budget headline & rights asks
Key talent & partners
Clear call to next step

The one-page template — copy, paste, and adapt

Below is a practical, commission-ready one-pager structure. Aim for 400–600 words total and keep each section to one short paragraph or a bulleted stat line. Use brand-safe images as attachments if requested, but keep the one-pager strictly textual for speed.

One-Page Pitch Template (layout & content)

Top-line layout — copy exactly into a single A4 or email body. Use bold for headings, 10–12pt font, and leave white space.

Title: [Working Title — keep it punchy]

Hook / Logline (15–20 words): One sentence that sells the concept, the audience and the unique platform fit.

Format & Specs: e.g., Scripted Short-Form (6 x 10 mins) | Unscripted Series (8 x 30 mins) | Hybrid 12 x 6–8 mins

Why this platform (2–3 bullets):

Primary audience on platform: [Age / demo / behaviour — e.g., Gen Z, 16–24, binge vs snack]
Platform-native mechanic: [Community features, Shorts/Reels, linear-window, live events]
Regional relevance: [EMEA language/localization notes]

Comparable Titles & Benchmark KPIs: 1–2 comps with metrics (views, completion, retention, revenue where possible)

Audience & Growth Plan (2 bullets):

Organic distribution: social hooks, creator partners, SEO-friendly metadata
Creator amplification plans: paid/partner amplification, targeted promos, platform promos, cross-catalog pushes

Deliverables & Timeline: Bullet list: pilots, S1, marketing assets, reporting cadence (e.g., pilot delivery Q3 2026; S1 rollout Q1 2027)

Budget (headline): Top-line estimate + ranges (production only / all-in including marketing). Add one sentence on major cost drivers.

Rights & Windowing: State what you’re offering vs. what you’re requesting — exclusive/first-window, territorial scope, ancillary rights.

Key Team / Talent: Name the showrunner, host or creator lead plus 1–2 recent credits (IMDB/Channel links ok).

Why now? Short sentence referencing platform trend or cultural moment that makes it urgent.

Call to action: Suggest one clear next step: 15–20 minute call, pilot viewing, or a sandbox deliverable. Provide contact details and availability.

How to fill each section with impact (step-by-step)

Title & Logline — be granular

Titles can change; the logline sells the idea. Use outcomes not only features: who watches, why they care, and what behavior you want (subscribe, engage, share).

Example: "Rival Crafts" — A 6x10 min unscripted series where micro-makers compete to create trendable, shoppable crafts in 48 hours — designed to drive Shorts engagement and transactional hooks on platform storefronts.

Why this platform — pick platform-specific levers

For YouTube: reference Shorts, discovery algorithms, creator-collab potential and ad revenue splits. For Disney+: emphasize catalog-building, premium brand fit, and regional commissioning appetite in EMEA (note recent promotions to commissioning roles in Disney+ EMEA).

Benchmarks — use real comparables

Don't guess. Use public metrics or your own channel data. If pitching to YouTube, include historical CTR, average view duration, and growth rate from a pilot or related channel. If you lack direct data, cite similar titles from press (Variety/Deadline) and convert their public numbers into relative KPIs (views per episode, retention %).

Budget & Rights — be transparent

Platform execs will ask this first. Offer a clear production budget range and be explicit about rights. If you want to retain global digital rights but offer a platform an exclusive first window, say so. If you need co-production funding, state expected split.

Call to action — end with a micro-ask

Executives want low-friction next steps. Ask for a 15-minute slot, or propose sending a one-minute sizzle reel or a 2-page creative brief next.

Title: Urban Atlas

Logline: Short documentary vignettes (12 x 6 mins) that map hidden urban cultures across EMEA through creator-led storytelling — optimized for YouTube Shorts extensions and playlist bingeing.

Format & Specs: Docu-short series — 12 episodes x 6 mins + 12 x 30–60s Shorts.

Why YouTube:

BBC’s trusted journalism + YouTube’s global reach = discoverable, credible short-form docs.
Designed to unlock Shorts view funnels and drive subscription to BBC-owned channels.

Benchmarks: Comps: Channel X doc short achieved 3M Shorts views, 15% subscriber conversion; projected pilot AV view: 500–800k.

Deliverables: Pilot + 5 eps (Q3 2026), full season Q1 2027; weekly analytics report.

Budget: £120k–£180k (season 1, production only).

Rights: YouTube exclusive for 12 months, BBC retains global archive rights thereafter.

Team: Producer: A. Smith (BBC credits: short series Y); Director: B. Khan (digital docs).

CTA: 15-min call to share pilot sizzle — available next week. Contact: name / email / phone.

Title: Rivals: Local Heroes (working)

Logline: A regionally localized competition franchise (8 x 45 mins) spotlighting sports rivalries across EMEA, developed with Disney+ EMEA’s commissioning playbook for scripted-style unscripted formats.

Why Disney+ EMEA: New commissioning leaders (promotions in late 2025) are focused on original scripted/un-scripted franchises that can travel across territories with local adaptations.

Benchmarks: Comparable franchise 'Rivals' generated strong cross-territory retention; projected subscriber LTV uplift: +0.5–1% in targeted demos.

Budget: €600k–€900k per season, co-pro position preferred.

Rights: Disney+ exclusive first window in EMEA; format license retained for local adaptions.

CTA: Request 20-min intro with commissioning VP; can deliver concept bible in 5 business days.

Pitch email subject lines and follow-up cadence

Subject lines must be precise and time-sensitive. Examples:

"One-pager: Urban Atlas — BBC x YouTube short documentary (15-min sizzle available)"
"Disney+ EMEA One-Pager: Rivals: Local Heroes — Format + Co-Pro Ask"

Follow-up cadence (recommended): initial email → 3 business day follow-up → final nudge at 10 business days. Always attach the one-pager as plain PDF and include a single-line pitch in the email body.

Advanced strategies for 2026 and beyond

1. Data partnerships and AI insights

Platforms increasingly expect creators to bring first-party insights or AI-derived audience models. Use accessible AI tools to surface viewing cohorts, predicted retention, and personalization hooks. Attach a one-slide data snapshot with your one-pager if you can.

2. Creator-led distribution

Pair platform appeals with creator amplification plans. In 2026, demonstrating a multichannel creator strategy (YouTube creators, TikTok shorts, Instagram Reels) is a competitive advantage — especially for non-exclusive digital windows.

Consider hybrid offers: exclusive windows for platforms in exchange for revenue-share on branded commerce or partial format licensing. Platform execs flagged the importance of flexible commercial terms in early 2026 rounds of commissioning.

4. Localization and regional hubs

With Disney+ centralizing EMEA commissioning roles and the BBC experimenting with platform partnerships, tailor versions for language, local talent, and cultural hooks — show how adaptations will be produced cost-effectively.

5. Sustainability and diversity KPIs

Include a line on production sustainability and diversity metrics. Many commissioners now require social impact metrics or diversity commitments as part of greenlighting.

Common objections and how to answer them

“We need more detail”: Offer a follow-up 2-pager (creative bible) but keep the one-pager focused on decision metrics.
“Budget too vague”: Provide a tiered cost model: lean / standard / premium.
“Rights unclear”: Present a simple rights table: Platform window | Global digital | Format license.

Quick checklist before you hit send

One-pager length: 400–600 words, single page
Attach: PDF one-pager + 60–90s sizzle or 1–2 minute creator reel
Include one clear CTA and 2 available times for a call
Subject line references platform & key hook
Confirm names & titles of commissioning contacts (use LinkedIn/industry press for verification)

"Executives are hungry for platform-specific, data-led ideas delivered at speed. The one-pager is your fast-track to that first meeting." — Beneficial.site

Final notes: scale this template

Use this template as a living document. Track responses, A/B subject lines, and the one-pager variants that secure meetings. Over time you’ll learn which metrics matter most to YouTube’s partnerships team versus Disney+’s EMEA commissioners — then adapt accordingly.

Call to action

If you want a ready-to-send PDF version of this one-pager plus two email subject-line tests and a sample 60s sizzle outline, grab the kit at beneficial.site/onepager-kit or reply to this message with your show idea and I’ll draft the first one-pager for you (free 15-min consult for creators and small publishers in Jan–Feb 2026).

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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.