directoriesoutreachstreaming

Contacts & Opportunities: How to Find the Right Commissioner on Streaming Platforms

UUnknown

2026-02-28

10 min read

Practical 2026 guide to mapping streaming commissioners, reaching the right contact, and using proven outreach templates to get read and commissioned.

Hook: Stop Missing Commisioning Windows — Find the Right Person Fast

One of the most common frustrations creators tell us in 2026: you have a finished pilot or art project, a tight timeline, and no clear path to the person who actually greenlights projects. Platforms have spread commissioning power across regions, genre teams, and development hubs. That means the old single-email-to-acquisitions trick no longer works.

If you want to convert ideas into commissions, you need a precise map of who to contact — not a generic inbox. This guide shows you how to map commissioners and development execs across streaming platforms, prioritize contacts, and use ready-to-send outreach templates that get responses.

Why commissioning maps matter in 2026

Three trends that changed commissioning in late 2024–2026:

Regionalized teams: Platforms like Disney+ have doubled down on EMEA and APAC commissioning — promotions and reorganizations (for example the rise of EMEA leaders like Lee Mason at Disney+) mean decisions are made closer to local audiences.
Decentralized roles: The commissioning chain now includes commissioners, VPs of scripteds/unscripted, development leads, head of formats, and executive producers — all potential greenlight or gatekeeping nodes.
New submission pathways: By late 2025 many platforms piloted creator portals and open-call initiatives; at the same time, traditional gatekeeping persists (unsolicited policy, agent requirements). Knowing which pathway applies to which team saves wasted effort.

Start with a clear network map: who’s who, and why they matter

Think of a commissioning map as concentric circles of influence. Create a living document with tiers and fast-reference details.

Priority tiers (quick reference)

Tier 1 — Commissioners & Heads of Commissioning (e.g., the promoted Rivals commissioner Lee Mason at Disney+ EMEA). These are the program owners who can champion a title internally.
Tier 2 — Development VPs & Heads of Scripted/Unscripted (people who approve development resources and package deals).
Tier 3 — Development Execs & Producers (day-to-day shepherding of the project; often accept first reads and meetings).
Tier 4 — Business Affairs & Legal (rights, options, contracts — essential before final handshake).
Tier 5 — Gateways (agents, sales agents, distributors, contests, festival programmers and platform submission portals).

Minimum fields for your contact spreadsheet

Build a one-row-per-contact record that you can filter and sort.

Name & current title
Platform & region (e.g., Disney+ EMEA)
Tier (1–5)
Known credits / recent projects (with year)
Primary contact channel (email, LinkedIn, agency rep)
Last outreach date & outcome
Preferred submission rules (official portal, agent-only, unsolicited policy)
Notes: personalization hooks, mutual contacts, recent press

How to identify the right commissioner: a five-step method

Follow this repeatable process to map a target commissioner in under an hour.

Step 1 — Confirm role and remit

Search company press releases and trade sites (Deadline, Variety, Screen Daily). Example: the promotion of a Rivals commissioner (Lee Mason) and other Disney+ EMEA appointments was reported in late 2024 and those team structures remain influential in 2026. When you find a name, read the announcement to confirm the remit (scripted vs. unscripted, regional focus).

Step 2 — Cross-check credits

Use IMDbPro, LinkedIn, and credits on platform pages to see what shows a commissioner has greenlit. That reveals taste, format length, and whether your project fits.

Step 3 — Map direct and indirect routes

Direct routes: official email or company submission portal. Indirect routes: producers who have existing relationships, mutual university or festival contacts, agents, or festival programmers. Indirect routes work especially well in platform ecosystems with tight unsolicited policies.

Step 4 — Check recent activity and signals

Look for recent interviews, festivals panels, or LinkedIn posts. If an executive just promoted a series or spoke about particular audience needs, reference that in outreach to show you did the homework.

Step 5 — Score the contact

Assign a simple score (1–5) based on fit, access channel, and responsiveness likelihood. Prioritize Tier 1 contacts with a high fit and an accessible route.

Practical case study: Mapping Lee Mason (the Rivals commissioner) at Disney+ EMEA

Example to demonstrate the five-step method:

Confirm: Trade reports show Lee Mason was promoted into a commissioning role tied to Rivals and scripted original strategy in the EMEA team.
Credits: Search for the Rivals series credits, previous shows, and find producers and execs who worked with Mason.
Routes: Disney+ often routes unsolicited submissions through producers, legal, or internal portals. Identify producers who created Rivals — they're likely first-degree connections to Mason and can forward a pitch.
Signals: Note interviews or quotes where Mason described slate priorities such as high-concept competition formats or character-led unscripted narratives. Use that language in your outreach to demonstrate fit.
Score: If your project is a competition format with regional appeal and you have a producer credit, Mason becomes a high-priority contact.

Outreach strategy: rules that get doors open in 2026

Be brief and specific: commissioners are time-poor. Lead with the logline, format, and why it matches their remit.
Show social proof: attach or link to producer attachments, festival laurels, or prior commissions.
Respect channels: if a platform states “agent submissions only,” use agents or credible producer partners.
Personalize using recent signals: reference a recent show they greenlit or a public quote.
Use a clear call to action: request a 15-minute exploratory call or ask if they'd accept materials via an introduced producer.

Outreach templates (copy, paste, customize)

Below are short, high-conversion templates for emails, LinkedIn, and follow-ups. Replace bracketed fields before sending.

1) Cold email to a commissioner (Tier 1)

Subject: Short competition format for Disney+ EMEA — [Show Title]

Hi [First Name],

Congrats on your recent work on Rivals and the EMEA slate. I’m [Your Name], creator of [Show Title] — a [one-line hook: e.g., format / 45-min unscripted series] that riffs on [comparable show or concept].

Why it fits: [One sentence linking the project to remit or a recent commission].

Social proof: [Festival award / producer credit / previous commission].

Would you accept a short one-page brief + sizzle (3-minute clip) for consideration? Happy to send via your preferred channel or an introduced producer.

Best,
[Your name] | [Role] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn/Website]

2) LinkedIn connection + intro message

Hi [First Name] — enjoyed your recent comment about regional formats. I’m building [Show Title], a [format], with producer [Name]. I’d love to connect and learn the best way to share a short brief. — [Your name]

3) Email via mutual producer (warm introduction)

Subject: Intro: [Your Name] — [Show Title] (recommended by [Producer Name])

Hi [Commissioner Name],

[Producer Name] suggested I reach out — they worked with you on [Project]. We’re developing [Show Title], a [brief hook]. I’ve attached a one-page brief and 90-second sizzle. If of interest, happy to schedule 15 minutes.

Thanks for your time,
[Your name] — [Contact]

4) Two-step follow-up cadence

After 5–7 business days: polite one-sentence follow-up referencing your initial message and offering a two-sentence logline in the body.
If still silent after 14 days: final follow-up that asks for a referral (e.g., “If this isn’t right for you, could you point me to the right colleague or channel?”).

What to include in a pitch pack in 2026

Commissioners want fast signals of fit and track record. Prioritize short, scannable assets.

One-page brief: logline, format, episodes, target audience.
Two-page one-sheet or show bible excerpt: tone, structure, sample episode idea, comparables.
Sizzle reel (60–180s): thumbnails + one hosted link (Vimeo private link is preferred).
Pilot script or treatment: for scripted — include first 12 pages and treatment.
Budget range & rights summary: high/low budget estimate and what rights you control.
Team CVs & producer attachments: short bullets of previous credits.

Confirm unsolicited submission policy. If the platform disallows unsolicited materials, use an agent or producer introduction.
Retain a rights summary: which rights you own, option terms you propose, and reversion triggers.
Consider a brief NDA only if you have novel IP; many commissioners won’t sign NDAs for initial reads.
Get basic legal advice before sharing full scripts or financials — an experienced entertainment lawyer can help draft a short option memo that protects you while staying pitch-friendly.

Advanced mapping tactics that pros use

1) Build relationship funnels

Turn your contact map into a funnel: cold outreach, warm intros, first meeting, material submission, and ongoing touches. Log every interaction and what assets were shared.

2) Use signal layers

Add columns for signals: recent hires, new programming initiatives, platform content gaps (e.g., less reality, more YA drama), or quotas (diversity targets, local-language spend). Signals tell you when to accelerate outreach.

3) Leverage festivals, markets, and co-pro forums

By 2026, markets like SeriesLab, CPH:FORUM, MIP, and Sundance Labs remain prime places to meet commissioning editors. Prepare a 60-second verbal pitch and a digital one-sheet for on-the-spot introductions.

4) Track acceptance trends

Maintain a rolling history of what gets commissioned on each platform by genre and budget. You can glean this from credits, trades, and platform investor reports. This helps refine your approach to similar commissioners.

Producer outreach & working with development execs

Producers are your multiplier. Many commissioning editors prefer receiving materials from producers with a track record.

If you’re a creator with no producer attached, use festivals and other credits as leverage to find a producer. A short “producer pitch” template is below.
When approaching development execs, ask for preferred read formats — many execs will accept a one-pager + sizzle over a full script on first pass.

Producer intro template

Subject: Producer intro — [Show Title] (short brief attached)

Hi [Producer Name],

I’m [Your Name], creator of [Show Title]. We’re looking for a producer to package for platforms and I believe this could be a fit with your work on [Producer’s credits]. Attached is a one-pager and 90s sizzle. Do you have 20 mins for a call next week?

Thanks,
[Your contact]

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mass-emailing a generic brief — personalize to show fit with a named credit or recent quote.
Sending huge attachments — link to a private streaming link instead.
Ignoring platform rules — read the platform’s submissions policy before sending anything.
Not having rights clarity — have a simple one-paragraph rights statement ready.

2026-specific tips: adapt to the current commissioning climate

Short-form & vertical-first pilots: Platforms increasingly commission short-form series as audience testing. If your concept is adaptable to 5–15 minute episodes, note that in your brief.
Cross-platform packaging: Buyers shop IP that can work across series, podcasts, live experiences. Add one sentence on multiplatform potential.
AI-assisted sizzles: Commissioning teams expect tighter visual references. Use AI tools for fast cuts and proof-of-concept reels, but disclose synthetic elements and rights used.
Regional spend insight: EMEA and APAC commissioning teams are growing — emphasize local talent and cultural hooks when approaching regional teams like Disney+ EMEA.

Final checklist before you hit send

One-line logline at the top of the email.
Reference a recent commission or public signal.
Attach one-page brief and a private sizzle link.
State clear next steps (15-minute call or permission to send full materials).
Log the outreach in your contact spreadsheet and schedule follow-ups.

Parting thoughts: mapping is a discipline, not a one-off

Commissioning landscapes shifted dramatically through 2024–2026. Promotions like those in the Disney+ EMEA team are just one example of how decision-making centers move. The creators who win commissions in 2026 are those who treat mapping as ongoing intelligence work: updating contacts, tracking signals, and refining outreach copy to reflect each commissioner’s remit.

Call to action

If you want ready-to-use tools, download our free Commissioner Network Map template and outreach packet (one-pager, sizzle checklist, and three editable email templates). Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates on platform hiring, commissioning trends, and curated submission opportunities so your next pitch lands on the right desk.

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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.