Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
Universal Television
Universal Television is NBC and CBS's dominant broadcast drama supplier, doubling down on procedural franchises while selectively developing hybrid serialized projects for the current linear landscape.
Current mandate
Universal Television occupies a commanding position in the U.S. broadcast drama landscape, functioning as the primary studio supplier for both NBC and CBS. Its portfolio is anchored by the Dick Wolf procedural empire, encompassing the Law & Order and Chicago franchises at NBC and the FBI trio alongside The Equalizer at CBS. All nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals returned from the strike delay with ratings at or above prior-season levels, with the Chicago and Law & Order series opening up by double digits in total viewers and adults 18-49. That performance has reinforced UTV's conviction that close-ended, self-contained episodic storytelling remains the most resilient format in linear broadcast, and the studio is in early, optimistic renewal discussions with both network partners for another season across the full procedural slate.
Recent greenlit projects signal that UTV is not standing still on legacy IP. The studio has greenlighted a reboot of The Rockford Files with David Boreanaz stepping into the role of Jim Rockford, and a drama titled Newlyweds, which drew a public statement from Jamie Lee Curtis citing the project's commitment to LA-based union crew. Both projects were greenlighted in August 2026 with budgets not publicly disclosed. Beyond those titles, UTV is developing Season 2 of The Irrational for NBC and has a non-procedural NBC drama pilot, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, in the pipeline. The studio has also expressed hope for NBC pickup of a new true procedural to expand its roster further, underscoring that franchise-building remains the core acquisition logic.
Material reaches Universal Television primarily through established producer relationships and the studio's deep ties to network partners NBC and CBS. Erin Underhill, UTV's president, has publicly emphasized the value of "taste, vision and relationships" in the creative partnerships the studio pursues, and every tracked deal in the recent window has come through established producer or talent attachments. No open submission portal or named fellowship program is documented in available coverage; the observed pathway runs through representation, producing partnerships, and network development relationships.
Signature peaks
- 9 Series Wolf Procedural Franchises — All nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals at NBC and CBS returned post-strike at or above prior-season ratings.
- Chicago + Law & Order Double-Digit Ratings Lift — Both franchise blocks opened up by double digits in total viewers and adults 18-49 after the strike delay.
- The Rockford Files Legacy IP Reboot — David Boreanaz leads UTV's reboot of the classic procedural, greenlighted August 2026.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Every tracked deal in the recent window reached Universal Television through established producer relationships, talent attachments, or network development pipelines tied to NBC and CBS. No open submission portal, named fellowship, or documented unsolicited pathway appears in available coverage; the observed route runs through representation and producing partnerships with existing network relationships.
- Deal structure
- Universal Television primarily structures deals as content development and production agreements with its network partners NBC and CBS, including series greenlights, season renewals, and pilot development commitments. The studio functions as a production-financing and studio-services entity rather than a rights acquirer of completed films.
Recent acquisitions
-
Fast & Furious (TV series)
A scripted television show based on the prolific film franchise has landed a green light on the NBCUniversal streamer.
-
Newlyweds
Jamie Lee Curtis: 'this tax incentive allows our production...to keep hiring hundreds of skilled LA-based, Union crew members.'
-
The Rockford Files
David Boreanaz takes over the role of Jim Rockford for the 'Rockford Files' reboot from Universal Television.
Market context
With nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals returning at or above prior-season ratings, Universal Television is betting that self-contained, beginning-middle-end storytelling is the most durable currency in broadcast drama.
Universal Television occupies a commanding position in the U.S. broadcast drama landscape, functioning as the primary studio supplier for both NBC and CBS. Its portfolio is anchored by the Dick Wolf procedural empire, encompassing the Law & Order and Chicago franchises at NBC and the FBI trio alongside The Equalizer at CBS. All nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals returned from the strike delay with ratings at or above prior-season levels, with the Chicago and Law & Order series opening up by double digits in total viewers and adults 18-49. That performance has reinforced UTV's conviction that close-ended, self-contained episodic storytelling remains the most resilient format in linear broadcast, and the studio is in early, optimistic renewal discussions with both network partners for another season across the full procedural slate.
Common questions about Universal Television
Does Universal Television accept unsolicited scripts?
No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in available coverage of Universal Television. Every tracked deal in the recent window has arrived through established producer relationships, talent attachments, or network development pipelines at NBC and CBS. UTV president Erin Underhill has publicly emphasized the role of 'taste, vision and relationships' in the studio's creative partnerships, suggesting that a producing or representation relationship is the observed route into the company.
What budget level does Universal Television typically work at?
Universal Television operates at the upper tier of broadcast drama budgets, consistent with its role as the primary studio supplier for NBC and CBS. Its flagship franchises, including the Law & Order, Chicago, and FBI series, are long-running network productions with disciplined cost structures. Dick Wolf's operation is publicly described as a 'well-oiled machine' that delivers scripts and episodes at disciplined price points. Specific per-episode budgets for recent greenlights, including Newlyweds and The Rockford Files reboot, have not been publicly disclosed.
What festivals does Universal Television source projects from?
Universal Television's acquisition and development activity is not primarily festival-driven. As a major broadcast studio supplier, UTV sources projects through network development relationships with NBC and CBS, established producer partnerships, and talent attachments. Recent greenlights, including the Rockford Files reboot and Newlyweds, originated through those channels rather than festival acquisitions. No festival-sourced deals appear in the tracked recent activity window, which reflects the studio's position as a development-and-production entity rather than a festival buyer.
How do I get my script in front of Universal Television?
Based on observed deal patterns, the most documented route to Universal Television is through representation or an established producing partnership. UTV president Erin Underhill has publicly highlighted the importance of relationships in the studio's creative collaborations. The studio's development pipeline runs closely through its network partners NBC and CBS, so producer attachments with existing network relationships are also an observed pathway. No open submission portal, fellowship, or named open call is documented in available coverage of the company.
What genres is Universal Television currently acquiring?
Universal Television's current mandate is heavily weighted toward procedural drama, particularly franchise-ready, self-contained episodic formats. The studio's broadcast strategy centers on the Law & Order and Chicago franchises at NBC and the FBI trio and The Equalizer at CBS. UTV has also greenlighted a Rockford Files reboot and is developing The Irrational Season 2. The studio is selectively developing hybrid serialized projects, such as Grosse Pointe Garden Society, that retain episodic elements, signaling some openness beyond pure procedural formats.
Is Universal Television currently active in the market?
Yes. Universal Television is actively developing and greenlighting projects as of mid-2026. The studio greenlighted two drama projects in August 2026, The Rockford Files reboot starring David Boreanaz and Newlyweds, which drew a public statement from Jamie Lee Curtis. UTV is also in early renewal discussions with NBC and CBS across its full procedural slate, developing Season 2 of The Irrational, and hoping for NBC pickup of a new true procedural. Decision-maker activity tracked by ScriptMatch remains robust across the period.
Adjacent buyers in this lane
- Sony Pictures Television — Sony Pictures Television is a major studio television producer and distributor pivoting toward anime
- Paramount Pictures — Paramount Pictures, now under David Ellison's Skydance leadership, is aggressively rebuilding its th
- Spotify — Spotify is a global audio streaming platform expanding from music and podcasts into audiobooks and l
- Paramount Global — Paramount Global is a major studio-distributor in active corporate transformation, pursuing a landma
Related reading
Match your script to Universal Television
This is a public snapshot of Universal Television, kept current from trade-press signals. Inside ScriptMatch, upload your script to see whether Universal Television fits, why, and exactly how to reach them. Start a card-required 7-day trial or try the no-card buyer-match tool.