How do networks decide which shows to 'greenlight'?

How do networks decide which shows to 'greenlight'?

That moment, when a show is greenlit, is a big moment, because that's the moment that the network has committed millions of dollars to the idea. But to get there, you have to jump through several hoops, usually, to convince them that it's a good idea, or that it's the right idea at the right time, or to convince the network that you're the right person to produce the show. Maybe they have an internal process where they have to look at multiple projects, and they can only afford to greenlight one of them, and they've got five. They have to pick which it's going to be. That process is different at every network. Some networks want pilots, some networks want conference room presentations if its a game show, some networks want a full first episode that they can put in a focus group situation, and some networks go with their gut. It's done in all kinds of ways, and it's really down to individuals.