How to Create a Reality Show

Do you have a great idea for a reality show, and you’re ready to finally see it on screen? Before you get your reality show produced, you’ll need to plan out the show’s structure and put together a stellar pitch package. Once you have an outline and a short reel featuring the highlights of your show, you can start networking with TV producers and executives to get your name out there and get your show in front of potential buyers.

How to Make Your Own Reality TV Show

Start by thinking up a great idea. Study current reality shows and trends to see what audiences want to see. Create a sizzle reel and outline, then get a pitch agent to help you through the pitching process. If you don't succeed, take any feedback you get to make your pitch stronger and stronger until it's taken on.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Concept for Your Show

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Find someone interesting you know and ask them to be the subject of your reality show. You could also find a group of people or a business in your town to focus on. Avoid pitching a show that’s about celebrities or exotic, far off places; you probably won’t have access to them when you’re just starting out.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Choose a structure for your show. Up front you’ll need to decide how your show will be structured. There are two main structures for reality shows:^{[2]XResearch source}
- Self-contained. Self-contained reality shows contain episodes that stand on their own. There’s no storyline that connects all of the episodes together. Viewers can watch the episodes out of order and it won’t make a difference. Think: Extreme Home Makeover, Fear Factor, and Hoarders. Self-contained shows are generally easier to sell because networks like that viewers can join in at any time in the season.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Arced. Arced reality shows have an overarching storyline that connects every episode. Viewers need to watch the episodes in order to understand what’s going on. Examples of arced reality shows are The Real World, Survivor, and The Bachelorette. Arced reality shows are harder to sell to networks because they're riskier; if audiences don't tune in for episode one, the rest of the season could be a bust.^{[4]XResearch source}
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3
Give your show a format style if you want audiences to know what to expect. Format style reality shows have a similar format they return to each episode. Dancing with the Stars is an example of a format reality show; every episode features the dancers performing a new routine. The audience expects that tuning in.^{[5]XResearch source}
- A format reality show is a good choice if your show will feature different characters or storylines each episode. If your reality show is about parents moving into their kid's college dorm for a week, you could have a different family in each episode. The parents moving into the dorm each episode would be the format people would come to expect.
4
Make your show docu-style if you want it to feel like a documentary. Docu-style reality shows don't have a format; they just follow the main characters around as they go about their lives. Keeping Up with the Kardashians is an example of a docu-style reality show.^{[6]XResearch source}
- A docu-style reality show is a good option if the premise of your show is examining an interesting person or group of people as they navigate their world. If you're making a show about a retired pilot, filming like a documentary will be easier than trying to come up with a format for your character to repeat every episode.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Putting Together a Pitch

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1
Make a 2-5 minute tape featuring the main elements of your show. Film the star of your show in their natural environment. Try to capture what makes them special or unique. If you’re making a show about a group of people, film them all interacting. Make sure you include the main characters or locations of the show.^{[7]XResearch source}
- For example, if your show is going to be about a group of employees at a barber shop, go to the barber shop and film them as they work and joke around with each other.
- Don’t worry about using special camera equipment at this stage. You can film with a regular digital video camera, your phone, or a computer.
2
Craft a 1-2 page write up about your show. Make the write up short and simple. Tell production companies what format and style your show is and briefly mention the characters and what the storyline will be like. Give them a sense of what a typical episode will be like.
- For example, you could introduce your write up with something like “I’m envisioning a self-contained format series featuring a psychic couple that travels the country, helping people redecorate their homes along the way. Not only will the couple give their own interior decorating opinions, but also those of the deceased former inhabitants of the home. Each episode will feature a different family and their home.”
3
Take headshots of the main characters. They don’t need to be fancy; just clear, straight-on photos that you can attach to your pitch. Production companies will want to know what the characters in your show look like.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Write the name of each character on their headshot. You want executives looking at the pitch package to be able to match up their faces with the character descriptions you provide in the write up.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Pitching the Show

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An agent can help you connect with potential buyers and make it easier to get your pitch package in front of the right people. Look for agents in your area that specialize in reality television and see if you can get someone to represent you.
2
Team up with an established reality show producer. Look for a producer who’s already produced reality shows similar to the one you’re pitching. If you’re new to the industry and you don’t know any producers, pay to attend a conference like the National Association of Television Program Executives that takes place annually in Miami, Florida, or the annual RealScreen Summit in Washington, DC.
- Attending a conference with high-level TV executives can cost over $1,000 (€843), so you'll want to make sure you're prepared if you decide to take this route. Make sure your pitch package is all put together and consider having multiple ideas to pitch.^{[9]XResearch source}
- At the conference, attend sessions hosted by network executives you're interested in networking with, and introduce yourself after the session. Have cards with your contact information on them that you can hand out to prospective buyers.
3
Pitch directly to the networks. If you have an agent, have them arrange a meeting between you and some network executives. Choose a network you could see your show airing on; if your show is about CEOs renovating their own penthouses, look for a network that airs home-improvement-style shows. Come to the meeting prepared with your pitch package (short tape, write up, headshots) and convince the network execs that your show would be a hit.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If your show centers around the bold personality of a particular character, consider bringing them along to the meeting to help woo the network.^{[11]XResearch source}
EXPERT TIP
Melessa Sargent
Professional Writer
Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.
Melessa Sargent
Professional Writer
When you're pitching, it pays to be polite to everyone you meet. Any time you contact someone, be friendly with them, from the boss to the receptionist. Everyone in a production company wants to be the one to bring in the next big thing, so if you can get in good with someone, they might give you a shot.
If one network isn’t interested in your idea, that doesn’t mean other networks won’t be. Keep attending meetings and pitching your show. Take the feedback you get from network executives and TV producers and use it to make your pitch package better. If you’re not having any luck, consider changing the premise or structure of your show so it’s more marketable.

Common Questions: Starting a Reality TV Show

How much does it cost to start a reality TV show?

A reality TV show could cost anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000 per episode, potentially even more. While this sounds like a lot, if your show gets picked up by a network, they will work with you to fund the show. Otherwise, you can try to fund the show yourself if you have enough money to do so.

How do reality TV shows make money?

Like all TV, the main source of reality TV show income is through advertisements. However, they may also make money from sponsorships, brand deals, syndication, merchandise sales, live events, and more.

How do I pitch a reality TV show idea?

Before pitching, you'll want to have a sizzle reel, which is a preview of the show with editing, music, and graphics. Having an outline is also great to show the executives where your idea is going. However, be aware that if you're not well-connected, the network could take your idea without bringing you on board.