Format development FAQ
What is a format bible, how do you protect a format idea, and what's the real difference between a format doctor and a format consultant? Straight answers to the questions we get asked most.
Straight answers to the questions people ask most about TV format development, format bibles and protecting an idea. If you want help with your own format, see TV Format Consultant.
What does a TV format development consultant actually do?
A format development consultant helps broadcasters, producers and rights holders take a format from idea to sellable IP. That means structuring the format bible, stress-testing the concept before pitch or production, and identifying what needs to change to make it travel into other markets.
How is a "format doctor" different from a format consultant?
"Format doctor" usually means fixing a format that's already faltering, for example ratings dropping or an adaptation failing in a new territory. A format consultant's remit is broader. It covers new development, premortems before launch, and ongoing advisory work, not just repair.
What is a TV format bible and why does it matter for selling a show?
A format bible is the document that defines a show's structure, rules and IP so it can be adapted, licensed and produced consistently in other territories. Buyers use it to judge whether a format is genuinely sellable, not just a good one-off episode.
How do I protect my TV format idea before pitching it?
Formats aren't protected by copyright the way scripts are. Protection comes from documentation, paper trail and structure. A format bible with a dated development history is the main practical safeguard before any pitch.
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