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Universal Television
Universal Television is NBC Universal's flagship broadcast drama studio, powering the dominant procedural franchises on NBC and CBS while selectively expanding into serialized and hybrid formats.
Current mandate
Universal Television occupies the commanding position in broadcast drama production, anchoring primetime schedules at both NBC and CBS through its long-running procedural franchises. The studio's partnership with Dick Wolf's operation, described in trade coverage as a "well-oiled machine" capable of delivering scripts and episodes at disciplined price points, underpins the longevity of properties like Law and Order: SVU and the Chicago and FBI franchise families. All nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals produced by Universal Television returned from the strike delay with ratings at or above prior-season levels, with the Chicago and Law and Order series opening up by double digits in total viewers and the adults 18-49 demographic. That performance has reinforced the studio's conviction that close-ended, beginning-middle-end storytelling remains the most resilient format in the linear broadcast space.
Across recent activity, Universal Television has pursued a mix of franchise renewal, new procedural development, and selective IP acquisition. The studio preemptively acquired series rights to Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas' debut novel "Climbing in Heels" ahead of its April 2025 publication, signaling continued appetite for book-to-series adaptation. A first-look deal with writer-producer Charmaine DeGraté, announced in May 2025, reflects the studio's ongoing investment in producer relationships as a primary development pipeline. Earlier acquisitions include the pilot "Murder by the Book" at NBC and the series "Hide," alongside the project "Royal Spin." The studio is also working on Season 2 of "The Irrational" for NBC and has a non-procedural drama pilot, "Grosse Pointe Garden Society," in the mix, indicating a willingness to develop serialized or hybrid projects alongside its procedural core.
Material reaches Universal Television primarily through established producer relationships and first-look deals, with the DeGraté pact being a recent documented example of how the studio structures ongoing creative partnerships. IP acquisition, including preemptive book rights purchases, is another tracked route. No unsolicited pathway is documented in available trade coverage; every tracked deal has moved through a named producer, a packaged attachment, or a formal first-look arrangement. Writers seeking access are most likely to find a route through a producing partner who already holds a relationship with the studio or through representation that can facilitate a pitch to one of the 68 decision makers tracked in the ScriptMatch system.
Signature peaks
- 9 Shows Franchise Procedural Dominance — All nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals at NBC and CBS returned post-strike at or above prior-season ratings levels.
- Climbing in Heels Recent IP Acquisition — Universal Television preemptively acquired series rights to Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas' debut novel ahead of its April 2025 publication.
- Charmaine DeGraté Deal First-Look Pipeline — A first-look deal with writer-producer Charmaine DeGraté, announced May 2025, reflects the studio's producer-relationship development model.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Every tracked deal at Universal Television has moved through a named producer relationship, a first-look arrangement, or a preemptive IP acquisition, with the May 2025 Charmaine DeGraté first-look deal and the December 2024 "Climbing in Heels" book rights purchase serving as the most recently documented examples. No unsolicited pathway is documented in available trade coverage.
- Deal structure
- Universal Television structures its development activity primarily through first-look and overall deals with producers, pilot orders and series orders at NBC and CBS, and preemptive acquisitions of book and IP rights for series adaptation. Budget terms are not publicly disclosed in available data.
Recent acquisitions
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Climbing in Heels (series rights to Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas’ debut novel)
"The studio preemptively bought the rights to the book which hits store shelves on April 29, 2025."
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First-look deal with Charmaine DeGraté
DeGraté has struck a first-look deal with Universal Television.
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‘Hide’ (series) development
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Murder by the Book (pilot)
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Murder by the Book (pilot order at NBC)
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Royal Spin
Market context
With all nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals returning at or above prior-season ratings, Universal Television is doubling down on the self-contained episode model as broadcast drama's most durable commercial engine.
Universal Television occupies the commanding position in broadcast drama production, anchoring primetime schedules at both NBC and CBS through its long-running procedural franchises. The studio's partnership with Dick Wolf's operation, described in trade coverage as a "well-oiled machine" capable of delivering scripts and episodes at disciplined price points, underpins the longevity of properties like Law and Order: SVU and the Chicago and FBI franchise families. All nine Wolf Entertainment procedurals produced by Universal Television returned from the strike delay with ratings at or above prior-season levels, with the Chicago and Law and Order series opening up by double digits in total viewers and the adults 18-49 demographic. That performance has reinforced the studio's conviction that close-ended, beginning-middle-end storytelling remains the most resilient format in the linear broadcast space.
Common questions about Universal Television
Does Universal Television accept unsolicited scripts?
No unsolicited pathway is documented in available trade coverage. Every tracked deal at Universal Television has moved through a named producer relationship, a first-look arrangement, or a packaged attachment. The studio's recent first-look deal with Charmaine DeGraté and its preemptive acquisition of book rights to 'Climbing in Heels' illustrate the two most visible routes: producer partnerships and IP-driven development. Writers are best positioned by securing representation or a producing partner with an existing studio relationship.
What budgets does Universal Television typically work at?
Universal Television operates primarily in the broadcast network drama space, producing for NBC and CBS. Trade coverage describes Dick Wolf's operation, a core UTV partner, as delivering scripts and episodes at 'disciplined price points,' which is consistent with the cost structures of long-running network procedurals. No specific per-episode or per-season budget figures are disclosed in available data, but the studio's model prioritizes production efficiency and franchise longevity over prestige-cable-style elevated budgets.
What festivals does Universal Television source from?
Universal Television's acquisition pattern, as tracked by ScriptMatch, does not show a documented festival-sourcing route. The studio's pipeline is oriented around broadcast network development, long-running franchise renewals, and producer first-look deals rather than festival acquisitions. IP acquisition, such as the preemptive purchase of book rights to 'Climbing in Heels,' and direct producer partnerships, like the Charmaine DeGraté first-look, are the primary documented routes material travels to reach the studio.
How do I get my script in front of Universal Television?
The most documented route is through a producing partner who holds a first-look or overall deal with the studio. Universal Television's recent first-look with Charmaine DeGraté is a current example of how the studio structures ongoing creative relationships. Preemptive IP acquisition, such as book rights, is another tracked pathway. With 68 decision makers tracked in the ScriptMatch system, representation that can facilitate a direct pitch remains the most practical access point for unattached writers.
What genres is Universal Television currently acquiring?
Procedural drama is the studio's dominant focus, anchored by the Law and Order, Chicago, and FBI franchise families at NBC and CBS. Trade coverage confirms the studio is actively seeking new true procedurals to add to its broadcast roster. Beyond procedurals, Universal Television is developing hybrid and serialized projects, including 'Grosse Pointe Garden Society' and 'The Irrational' for NBC. Recent IP acquisitions suggest openness to contemporary fiction and character-driven drama when the source material fits a series format.
Is Universal Television currently active in the market?
Yes. Universal Television's latest tracked signal is from June 2026, and the studio has logged 91 total records over the past 12 months across its ScriptMatch profile. Recent activity includes a first-look deal with Charmaine DeGraté in May 2025 and the preemptive acquisition of series rights to 'Climbing in Heels' in December 2024. The studio is also in early renewal discussions with NBC and CBS for its procedural franchises, signaling continued active engagement across both development and distribution.
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Related reading
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