What is a 'premise pilot'?

What is a 'premise pilot'?

Pamela Douglas (Screenwriter) gives expert video advice on: What is a TV 'drama'?; What are the various types of dramas?; What is a 'season' for a drama? and more...

A premise pilot is an episode that starts the question or issue of the TV show. An example would be a new character coming to town and having something that must be done here. In Northern Exposure, for example, Dr. Fleishman is sent to Sicily, Alaska, where he has never been before, and that begins his journey in a new world.