A television pilot is a standalone episode created to test a show's concept and sell it to a network, serving as a critical early step in series development. Each year, major American broadcast networks receive hundreds of show pitches, eventually ordering about 20 pilot episodes by January for production. The casting process is incredibly competitive; for example, the 1994 pilot for Friends involved thousands of actors vying for just six main roles, with network executives holding final approval.
After production and review, typically only 4-8 pilots are chosen for series status, with Variety estimating that just over a quarter of all pilots proceed to a full series. Many pilots are never aired, while others, known as "backdoor pilots," introduce potential spin-off concepts within an existing show. Ultimately, new series face low survival odds, with only one or two often lasting beyond a single season.