You don't recognize the channels, but a lot of these are existing production companies. TV channels are just distributors, only the biggest ones commission content. Most just want to buy something aimed at a demographic in between two other shows they already have.

Funnily enough, one of my first posts on HN a few years ago was a pitch for a cooking show and related business plan for someone who was trying to get a second series off the ground. I just could not persuade him to build his audience on social media or treat online video as anything more than a shout-out to his regular viewers. He was absolutely set on broadcast TV at all costs and wanted high-end sponsorship from the food/lifestyle sector, while being completely unwilling to share profits/rights/ownership.

Too bad; he was great on screen, and he could be partnered with Google right now if he wasn't so obsessed with broadcast.

I've worked in local tv production for a long time actually, so I completely get what you're saying. But I honestly feared it would be a lame partnering with existing channels to share old product. But then, I'm something of a pessimist.

That said, sorry to hear about that guy. I often wish I had camera presence, just to make one-man-banding a reasonable option. Then again, now that I have time, it's funny how the ideas don't flow as easy. I'm sure once I lose time/resources they'll start back up. Ain't that always the way?