
There are several ways a TV show creator can maintain creative control, although none of these are guaranteed. One of the best ways is to find a network that offers the show creator a contract that explicitly gives him great control. The creator of the show can also make sure he becomes the showrunner of the show, which will also give him more control. It can also be easier to maintain creative control if the creator has a proven track record in the television or film industry.
Creative control over a TV show typically comes down to who is able to make the main decisions about the production of a show. This can include everything from writing screenplays and hiring other writers, to casting actors and actresses, approving locations and choosing the music used on the show. Much of this creative control is granted, to the creator or others, by the contract established between the creator and the network that produces the show.
One of the best ways for a TV show creator to maintain creative control is through the contract he has with the network. A show creator can sell his idea on different networks until he finds one that gives him sufficient control over the show. The creator should also try to become the showrunner of the show, as this position establishes much of how a show is produced. A showrunner typically has tremendous creative control over a TV show and can control the direction the show takes over numerous seasons.
TV networks are also less likely to give a first-time creator great creative control over his or her TV series. Someone with a proven track record, usually consisting of one or more highly successful shows, will have a better chance of maintaining control over a project. If a network believes someone can create a profitable show, the network is more likely to let that person work unhindered. This isn’t a guarantee either, however, and declining ratings or lost ad revenue can lead to a loss of creative control, changing showrunners on a show, and eventual cancellation.