How Small Clubs Can Pitch Series Ideas to Platforms Like BBC and Disney+

Hook: Your club deserves airtime — here’s exactly how to win it

For too long grassroots clubs and semi-pro women's teams have been invisible to big platforms. Yet in 2026 the broadcast landscape has shifted: major streamers and public broadcasters in EMEA are commissioning bespoke local content, and they want stories with authenticity, community reach and scale. If you’re a small club wondering how to turn matchday drama, player journeys and community impact into a commissioned series, this guide walks you through a practical, step-by-step process to build a pitch deck and pilot idea that major players like BBC YouTube and Disney+ will take seriously.

Why 2026 is your moment

Two late-2025 / early-2026 developments make this a strategic time to pitch: the BBC is moving to produce bespoke shows for online platforms (Variety reported Jan 16, 2026), and Disney+ EMEA has reorganised commissioning teams with a clear drive to nurture local unscripted and scripted originals across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Deadline, late 2025).

“The BBC is set to produce content for YouTube ... to meet young audiences where they consume content.” — reporting, Jan 2026

Those moves mean platforms are actively hunting authentic, locally rooted stories that can be adapted for short-form social windows and long-form streaming. For grassroots clubs that know how to package their story, commissioners are now open to conversations about community-driven sports storytelling.

What commissioners are really buying

Before diving into slides and budgets, understand what commissioners look for:

• Authenticity: Real access to people and moments no one else can film.
• Audience: Clear, reachable demographics and a way to grow viewership across platforms.
• Scale & Longevity: A concept that can sustain multiple episodes or seasonal renewals.
• Production Feasibility: A realistic budget and a plan to secure co-pro or funding.
• Rights & Clearances: Ownership clarity and legal readiness.

Core structure of a winning pitch deck (slide-by-slide)

A good deck is short, visual and persuasive. Aim for 8–12 slides. Here’s a tested order and what to include on each slide.

1. Title + One-line logline

One sentence that tells the format, protagonist and hook. Example: “Ahead of the Whistle” — A six-part series following an ambitious semi-pro women's club fighting for promotion while keeping community outreach alive.

2. Hook / Why now?

Two short paragraphs explaining the cultural moment: women’s game growth, local rivalries, or the BBC/YouTube/Disney+ trend toward local EMEA commissions. Use hard facts where possible: attendance growth, social engagement, player pathways.

3. The story arc (series bible in miniature)

Map season-long throughlines and episode-by-episode beats for first 6–8 episodes. Include a pilot synopsis (250–400 words) that reads like the first 10 minutes of a show.

4. Characters & access

List primary players (coach, captain, breakout talent, club volunteer) with one-line stakes for each. Commissioners buy access — show you have signed releases, training day access and matchday behind-the-scenes permission.

5. Audience & distribution plan

Who will watch and why? Include audience size (club follows, mailing list, local TV or YouTube subscribers), demographic insight and platform-fit rationale (e.g., 8–12 minute episodes for BBC YouTube; 30–45 minute premium episodes for Disney+).

6. Visual & tonal references

Use 3-5 reference titles (no trailers embedded) e.g., short-form docs, Rivals-style unscripted series, sports documentaries. Describe camera language, music, and pacing.

7. Production & budget summary

Offer a realistic budget range for a pilot and series. Break down core line items: production (camera, sound), post, legal clearances, travel. Provide funding partners or in-kind support you’ve secured.

8. Team & credentials

List the producer, director (even if emerging), executive producer or friendly indie production company. Commissioners value proven delivery capability more than glossy CVs — show past short films, YouTube series, or local broadcast credits where possible.

9. Rights & terms you’re offering

Be explicit: are you offering exclusive linear/streaming rights in EMEA, or a shared rights model? Clarify music and archive material ownership.

10. Next steps & contact

Close with clear asks: commission a 1×30 pilot, co-pro development funding, or a short-form social order. Include contact details and links to sizzle or a one-page leave-behind PDF.

Sizzle reel: the single most important asset

A two-minute sizzle reel can make or break a first meeting. If you can only make one thing, make the sizzle. Best practices:

• Length: 90–150 seconds.
• Content: Opening 10 seconds must show a compelling moment (a late winner, a dismissal, a locker-room raw reaction).
• Quality: Shot on recent consumer-level cinema cameras or high-end phones with stabilisation; good sound is essential.
• Format: MP4 H.264, 1080p. Prepare a social-cut (vertical 30–60s) for commissioners who preview on phones.

Tailoring pitches: BBC YouTube vs Disney+ EMEA

Platforms have different appetites. Tailor language, length and production estimates accordingly.

BBC & YouTube — public-service, youth reach, multiplatform

With the BBC moving to produce content for YouTube, they are actively experimenting with short-form and youth-facing formats. Emphasise community impact, educational value, and social-first windows (clips for TikTok/YouTube Shorts). Keep episodes flexible (8–15 minute digital episodes) and propose iPlayer or radio tie-ins as secondary windows.

Disney+ EMEA — premium, high-production values, local commissioning teams

Disney+ has strengthened EMEA commissioning teams and is looking for premium unscripted and scripted pieces with scale across territories. Pitch with higher production values, a clear crossover into linear marketing, and a multi-season plan. Name-checking local commissioners (by role, not personal contact unless you’ve previously met) shows you’ve researched the platform: mention the recent EMEA restructuring and the commissioning leads if appropriate.

EMEA commissioning nuances

Commissions in EMEA often require multi-territory rights, language accessibility (subtitles/dubbing), and sometimes co-pro arrangements with local indie producers. Propose subtitling plans and explain where the show can travel outside your home market.

Pilot ideas tailored for women's football grassroots clubs

Below are tested concept templates that translate well to both short and long form. Use them as foundations and rewrite the loglines to fit your club’s unique angle.

1. “Season of Rise” — Logline: Follow a single season as the club chases promotion while holding weekly community clinics. Pilot hook: a do-or-die cup match that reveals deeper financial and leadership challenges.
2. “From Pitch to Pro” — Logline: The club as a talent pipeline; one player's journey from local schoolgirl to a professional trial. Visual tone: vérité, training montages, personal interviews.
3. “Rivals Next Door” — Logline: Two neighbouring towns, one derby — explore local identity through sport. Great for social-first clips and linear doc episodes.
4. “Volunteer Heart” — Logline: A micro-series focused on the volunteers who keep the club alive; human stories with emotional payoff.
5. “Coach’s Table” — Logline: Tactical, behind-the-scenes coaching sessions that double as instructive content for female coaches; ideal for BBC educational slots and YouTube growth.
6. “Matchday Micro-Documentary” — Logline: 12–15 minute single-episode pilots that capture the arc of a single matchday from prep to aftermath.
7. “Training Ground: Academy” — Logline: An academy-focused series tracking development of U18 players balancing education and sport.
8. “Club Reborn” — Logline: A rebuilding tale of a club saving itself from closure via female leadership and community fundraising; great for sponsorship tie-ins.

Budgeting: realistic numbers and funding routes

Budgets vary by length and ambition. As of 2026, ballpark ranges for EMEA unscripted projects:

• Pilot micro-doc (10–15 mins): €8k–€25k
• Pilot long-form (30–45 mins): €30k–€120k
• 6–8 episode short-form season: €80k–€300k
• 6–8 episode premium season on Disney+/broadcaster: €300k–€1M+

Funding sources to explore:

• Public funds: National film funds (e.g., BFI in the UK), arts councils, sport councils.
• Broadcaster development funds: BBC small-scale commissioning pools or regional funds; Disney+ development pathways via local indie producers.
• Grants & foundations: Women’s sport charities, local trusts, community funds.
• Co-pro and indie partners: Partner with a small production company that already holds broadcaster relationships.
• Crowdfunding & sponsors: Local businesses, kit sponsors, crowdfunding for community buy-in.

Legal & rights checklist

• Signed location and talent releases (players, coaches, volunteers).
• Clear music rights or budget line for licensed/commissioned music.
• GDPR consent for interviews and identifiable personal information.
• Youth safeguarding clearances where minors appear.
• Agreement on exploitation rights: streaming windows, linear, social clips, international sales.

How to reach commissioners — outreach & follow-up

Approach commissioners respectfully and with precision. They receive hundreds of cold emails. Make yours stand out by being concise, visual and relevant.

Cold outreach template (short)

Subject: Short doc pilot — “Season of Rise” — semi-pro women’s club (X mins) — pilot sizzle Hi [Name], I lead [Club Name], a semi-pro women's football club in [City]. We’ve shot a 90s sizzle and a 4-slide deck for a 6-part series that explores promotion, community outreach and the club’s role in local youth development. The concept maps to young-PSB and streaming windows and we have confirmed access to players and matchdays for 2026. Can I send the 2‑minute sizzle and a 1‑page brief? Best, [Name], [role], [phone]

Follow-up cadence: 7 days after first mail, 14 days second follow-up, one final note at 30 days. If you meet a commissioner, send a one-page summary immediately after the meeting and confirm next steps.

Real-world examples & quick case studies (experience matters)

Clubs that have succeeded usually do three things well: they secure early production partners, they gather pre-existing audience metrics (fans, socials, mailing lists), and they can demonstrate real access. Example patterns from 2024–2026 successes:

• Local club partners with a one-person indie production team to create a pilot sizzle that gets an online commission for a short-form YouTube series.
• Regional broadcaster funds a community sports film after the club demonstrates measurable community outcomes — coaching programmes, school engagement numbers.
• Clubs that monetise through social clips and local sponsor integrations are more attractive because they reduce a platform’s marketing cost.

Actionable checklist — what to do next (10 steps)

1. Commit to one story angle and write a 1-sentence logline.
2. Film 2–3 outstanding moments for a 2-minute sizzle this season.
3. Create an 8–12 slide deck following the structure above.
4. Gather audience metrics: social, attendance, mailing list size.
5. Secure talent/location releases for key people and matchdays.
6. Draft a pilot budget and identify 2–3 local funding partners.
7. Reach out to 5 targeted commissioners or indie producers with a short email + link to sizzle.
8. Prepare a one-page leave-behind and a 60-second verbal pitch.
9. Attend one market or festival (online or in-person) to network with commissioners or production companies.
10. If you don’t get a commission, use the sizzle to attract sponsors or a co-pro — keep iterating.

Final notes on storytelling & impact

Commissioners often choose shows that do more than entertain: they build community and meet platforms’ strategic goals. Emphasise how your series supports player pathways, female leadership, diversity, and local engagement. Provide measurable impact targets (e.g., 500 youth clinic places, female coach training certificates) and you’ll turn a human story into a strategic asset for a platform.

Call to action

Ready to pitch? Download our free Pitch Deck Template for Grassroots Clubs and a sample sizzle shot list at womensports.online/clubs. Submit your one-page brief to our Local Clubs & Development Directory to get matched with indie producers and commissioners exploring EMEA commissioning opportunities — we’ll review and give feedback for free.

Turn your club’s story into a show — start your deck this week.

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