In 2005, when Courtney White joined HGTV, it was customary to produce at least 65 episodes for a fresh television series.
Today, serving as the president of Wheelhouse Entertainment, White manages a bustling collection of unscripted shows destined for broadcast, cable, and streaming services. In a recent episode of the “Strictly Business” podcast named EbMaster, White discusses that the days when even highly successful series could expect to receive more than ten episodes at a time are now history.
White points out that the current state of business is challenging due to the scarcity of high-volume TV series. Instead, shorter series with six to eight episodes have become the standard.
White manages the structure of Wheelhouse Entertainment, an arm of Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse group. Under her guidance, seven active production labels specialize in various genres and sub-genres of content production. This setup maximizes the potential of every project that passes through the company. A TV series is no longer just a linear show but serves as a foundation for spin-offs like documentaries, podcasts, digital expansions, merchandise, e-commerce, and more. Some recent productions from Wheelhouse include the Netflix series “Million Dollar Secret” and Hulu’s “Got to Get Out.
White describes the team as being similar to the Avengers, with experts in various fields within different genres. These specialists work together and share resources. Our digital teams are responsible for creating content tailored to each genre, but we also have centralized teams like legal and production management. The labels are highly specialized and agile, focusing on development. Once a series is launched, they connect with our centralized system which is also flexible, as every project requires a unique approach and specific team.
For seventeen years, White held a leading programming position at both Food Network and HGTV. In 2022, she moved to Wheelhouse after relinquishing her role as Food Network’s president prior to the merger that resulted in Warner Bros. Discovery.
I, as a follower, can share that White elaborates on the reason behind Wheelhouse’s substantial investment in organizing “Ladies Who Launch” networking events for creatives across cities like New York and L.A., among others. Given the prevalence of virtual pitches via Zoom nowadays, Wheelhouse aims to recreate that serendipitous atmosphere of casual conversation that often sparks groundbreaking ideas and connections.
During a Zoom pitch session nowadays, it’s quite structured and lasts for around 30 minutes. You present your idea, then you end the call. However, executives and producers often express that in the past, the real business wasn’t completed during this pitch. The crucial moments typically occurred in the elevator ride afterward, where unexpected things would happen. Many shows were born from such encounters, and this is all about connecting individuals who might not usually interact, fostering the magic of collaboration.
EbMaster’s weekly podcast, titled ‘Strictly Business,’ delves into discussions with influential figures in the media and entertainment sector. Each new episode airs every Wednesday and is available for download on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, and several others. (Don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter by clicking here.)
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2025-04-23 19:16