--- title: "How to Get a Stand-Up Set on TV: A Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A step-by-step roadmap to a stand-up set on TV: a clean set at an exact length, what a televised festival asks for, what you sign, and catching viewers." url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-stand-up-on-tv.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Discovery & recordings · stop 3 of 5 # A stand-up set on TV: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer A televised stand-up set is a short, clean set at an exact length, cast by a show’s producers and talent team. Late-night shows publish no way to submit a set; comics reach them through the rooms, festivals, showcases and representation. Build the set, keep it unaired, read what you sign, and have your dates and list ready before it airs. - **17** steps, each with its “done when” - **2** buyers, in their own words - **1** places to send it - **4** notes ready to send By D.O.C. Editorial · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) ## This roadmap, in five parts Your roadmap ## From here to release an album or special Where you are, the tests for the next stop, and the steps between, in the order most comics take them. The steps are the Career Field Manual's; mark each one as you go, and the day goes in your passport. You’re here if… ### Comic with a set built for broadcast - You feature or headline, and your strongest minutes hold any room. - You can run a clean set to the second. - A festival or showcase has picked you, and industry has seen you work. - You want the credit, and a plan for what it brings. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [release an album or special](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-release-a-comedy-special.html) The first test comes from a distributor’s published rules, the kind of buyer at the next stop. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You have a full set, tested again and again, ready to record. You can record it the way a distributor asks: NextUp Comedy, which takes existing recordings, asks for at least two HD cameras, clean sound and an audible audience. [NextUp Comedy ↗](https://nextupcomedy.com/pages/be-on-nextup) You know who will own the recording, and you have the room’s and the other performers’ permission in writing. You’ve started the next live hour, for after this one is out. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 17 steps in 5 parts, from the Career Field Manual. Each has its “done when”, a D.O.C. tool for it, and your status, note and target date; star up to twelve for your 90-day plan. #### Build the broadcast set From the Career Field Manual: Grow the act without padding, Explore specialty markets and Become the comic rooms trust. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 51–70, 115–131, 435–455, 132–142, 143–173 and 400–434. 1. Grow the act without padding · set-04 #### Create alternate openers and closers **Done when** Two usable opening and closing choices. [The Writers’ Room →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-write-stand-up-comedy.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Explore specialty markets · specialty-02 #### Build an actually tested clean set Broadcast clean is narrower than club clean: build the set clean from the start, not by trimming a club set on the night. **Done when** A live recording of the specific clean set. [Write a clean set →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-clean-comedy-set.html) [Clean vs. Dirty →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/clean-dirty.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Explore specialty markets · specialty-03 #### Document the length of clean material you can deliver **Done when** A proven runtime, not an optimistic estimate. [Time it in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 4. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-05 #### Respect set time even when the room is going well **Done when** Consistent finish times over several sets. [Your finish times in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Protect the material From the Career Field Manual: Record without losing the act. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 348–382. 5. Record without losing the act · release-01 #### Decide why you are recording or publishing this material **Done when** A specific audience or career objective. [What TV can do for a career →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedians-on-tv.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Record without losing the act · release-02 #### Keep a list of material intended only for live audiences Keep the TV set off your feed: Winnipeg’s televised festival asks for material unaired on national TV or streaming. **Done when** A protected-material list. [Your set log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Record without losing the act · release-05 #### Prepare a live-set submission clip to each outlet’s rules Send the set at the show’s own length, with clear sound and picture, and a separate set for each theme when a show casts by theme. **Done when** A compliant clip with current requirements. A televised call’s rules, on this page → The televised-showcase submission → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Be easy to find and to cast From the Career Field Manual: Assemble booking proof and Choose help when it solves a problem. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–173 and 290–313. 8. Assemble booking proof · package-02 #### Write a one-paragraph comedian bio **Done when** Current facts without inflated credits. [How to write a comedian bio →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. Assemble booking proof · package-08 #### Build a one-link electronic press kit **Done when** Accessible bio, clips and contact information. [What a booker needs from an EPK →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-get-booked-at-comedy-clubs.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Assemble booking proof · package-09 #### Claim or create your SUCDb record with sourced credits **Done when** Submitted or updated information that is accurate. [Claim your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-01 #### Identify the people who already influence your bookings Know who has seen your set: the producers, bookers and representatives who can put you forward. **Done when** A map of buyer, host, producer and promoter roles. [Your Team’s directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#find) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-04 #### Evaluate an agent’s relevant buyers and recent work **Done when** Facts, not a list of famous clients. [What a comedy manager does →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-manager.html) [What a comedy agent does →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-agent.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Read what you sign From the Career Field Manual: Record without losing the act and Choose help when it solves a problem. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 348–382 and 290–313. 13. Record without losing the act · release-04 #### Confirm performance and master recording rights Know who owns the taped set, and what the release allows, before the red light goes on. **Done when** Written permission and rights information. [Do comedians need contracts? →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 14. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-05 #### Read commission, exclusivity, territory and termination terms **Done when** The agreement reviewed before signing. Questions to ask before the taping → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-06 #### Get suitable professional advice for consequential contracts **Done when** Lawyer or accountant engaged when needed. [Attorneys and business managers →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-publicist-attorney-business-manager.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Catch the viewers From the Career Field Manual: Record without losing the act and Turn one good night into a return. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 348–382, 348–366, 383–399 and 435–455. 16. Record without losing the act · release-07 #### Give listeners and viewers one clear path to your live dates Have the dates page, the list sign-up and a clip ready before the set airs: the attention comes fast and fades. **Done when** An active official show or ticket link. The note to your list when it airs → [Your dates on your own site →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tour-dates-widget.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 17. Turn one good night into a return · audience-03 #### Build an opt-in email list with an unsubscribe path **Done when** A consent-based signup process. [Why an email list →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-email-list-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Get picked for showcases** Festivals and showcases put a set in front of industry. [Submission Deadlines →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-festival-submissions.html) - **Build it clean** A clean set travels to TV, colleges and corporate rooms. [A clean set →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-clean-comedy-set.html) - **Choose help that fits** A manager or agent can put a set forward. [Your Team →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html) - **Know the union rules** Covered TV work can bring union rules with it. [SAG-AFTRA and stand-up →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-sag-aftra-for-comedians.html) - **Have the list ready** Viewers who sign up hear about your next show. [Why an email list →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-email-list-for-comedians.html) - **Keep the dates live** Viewers look you up the night it airs. [Tour Dates Widget →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tour-dates-widget.html) Each week ## Your weekly rhythm here Habits, not a timetable: the atlas has no stopwatch. Keep these going, and the proof for this stop builds up week by week. - **Run it to the second** Do the TV set in a real room and time it, laughs included. - **Cut one soft line** Trade the weakest line for a tighter one, and keep the length. - **Keep it unaired** Post other material; keep the TV set off the feed. - **Watch the shows** Watch the stand-up sets the shows have aired, and note their length and standard. - **Keep the reel current** Update your reel, credits and contact details as they change. - **Tell your people** Let the producers and representatives who know your work hear what’s new. What buyers check ## In their own words Each buyer's published rule, quoted from its own page, checked on 10 November 2026. They differ, so send each one what its page asks for, and read the page again before you send. A televised festival’s published rules ### Winnipeg Comedy Festival It casts five themed TV shows from submitted sets: 8–10 minutes, TV clean, material new to a national audience, and your material rather than crowd work. - Keep your set TV clean. - Material must be new to a national audience and unaired on national TV or streaming services - Showcase your material, not your crowd work. [Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s page ↗](https://www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com/about-us/submissions) · checked 10 November 2026 A competition’s published rules ### FunnyFest Its competition final is watched by industry, in person and online, and might be recorded for broadcast. - This showcase will be attended in person and virtually by industry representatives - This showcase might be video recorded for future broadcast [FunnyFest’s page ↗](https://funnyfest.com/comedy-competition/) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a comic for a televised show gets in, each checked on 10 November 2026. Save one to your booking desk to keep its status, a follow-up date and a note. [62 places in all, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) Closed Winnipeg, MB, Canada · Festival (TV) · Email #### Winnipeg Comedy Festival, televised shows It casts stand-up sets for five themed TV shows: an 8–10 minute set as an unlisted link, material new to a national audience and unaired on national TV or streaming, and a bio showing at least five years of stand-up. Its 2027 call closed on 31 October 2026; the festival runs 26 April–2 May 2027. **Worth knowing.** Closed: watch for its next call. It books US and international acts only occasionally, because of Canadian content requirements. [Its page ↗](https://www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com/about-us/submissions) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### Read what you sign The show sets the fee, the paperwork and the rights; none of the pages here publishes a fee for a televised set, so this page gives none. Union rules can apply to covered TV work: when they might, get professional advice. **Before the taping** - The exact set length, and the content standard for broadcast - The release you sign, and what it lets the show do with the set - The fee, and when and how it’s paid - Travel and lodging for the taping, and who pays - When you may post the set, or clips of it - How your name and credit will appear Questions to ask before the taping · [Road Maps: the Math of a Gig, with your own numbers](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) · [Get Paid, Get Back: the deal in writing](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) · [The IRS on gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Ready to copy ## The notes to send Fill in what you know once: it fills every note below and stays on this device. Anything left blank shows in [brackets], to fill in by hand. Your details Your name The show or festival The theme or show you’re submitting to Your set length, in minutes Your set’s link Years doing stand-up Where you’d travel from Your representative, or none Your SUCDb record or website Where you taped the set The dates you can do The air date ### The televised-showcase submission ``` Subject: Submission: [Your name], [The theme or show you're submitting to] Hi, I'm submitting to [The show or festival], for the theme [The theme or show you're submitting to]. Set ([Your set length, in minutes] minutes, unlisted link): [Your set's link] Years doing stand-up: [Years doing stand-up] Traveling from: [Where you'd travel from] Representation: [Your representative, or none] Bio and credits: [Your SUCDb record or website] Thank you for watching, [Your name] ``` ### The note to your representative ``` Hi [Your representative, or none], I have a clean [Your set length, in minutes]-minute set ready for TV, new to a national audience, taped at [Where you taped the set]: [Your set's link] If there's a showcase, festival or show you'd put it in front of, I'm open [The dates you can do]. Thanks, [Your name] ``` ### Questions to ask before the taping ``` 1. How long is the set, to the second, and what's the content standard? 2. What does the release let the show do with the set, and for how long? 3. What's the fee, and when and how is it paid? 4. Who pays for travel and lodging for the taping? 5. When may I post the set, or clips of it? 6. How will my name and credit appear? 7. Do union rules apply to this taping? ``` ### The note to your list when it airs ``` Subject: I'm on [The show or festival], [The air date] Hi, My stand-up set is on [The show or festival] on [The air date]. Thank you for coming out to the shows that got it there. If you'd like to see the rest of the act live, my next dates are here: [Your SUCDb record or website] [Your name] ``` Your proof ## Proof for your passport Tick each piece when you have it: the day goes in your passport with it. The passport keeps your whole career's record on this device, to download, print and review once a year. The evidence ### This stop is done when you have A clean set at an exact broadcast length, timed in real rooms Its material kept off the feed, new to a national audience A clear, unlisted tape of that set Your credits and representation details current Your dates page and list ready before the set airs Your status ### A stand-up set on television A link to your proof: a tape, a booking, a review Your private note **On your record** Nothing yet: your status changes and ticks appear here, each with its day. [Your whole passport: the timeline, your booking desk, your 90-day plan, the printable career record, the yearly review and the cloud copy →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) Saved in this browser ## Next stops [Discovery & recordings · Own your recording **Release an album or special** A release is a lasting record and a way in for new audiences.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-release-a-comedy-special.html) [Club circuit · Close the room **Headline a full show** The headline slot carries more risk and more responsibility.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-headliner.html) ## Go deeper - [How do comedians get on TV and streaming?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedians-on-tv.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Do stand-up comedians need to join SAG-AFTRA?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-sag-aftra-for-comedians.html) When union rules matter for TV work - [Chapter 14, Unions, Guilds, and Industry Organizations](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring ## Sources The buyers' rules are quoted from each buyer's own page, checked on 10 November 2026. A buyer can change its rules at any time, so read its page before you send anything. - [Winnipeg Comedy Festival, submissions ↗](https://www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com/about-us/submissions) A televised festival’s published rules. - [FunnyFest Calgary, the comedy competition ↗](https://funnyfest.com/comedy-competition/) A competition’s published rules. - [NextUp Comedy, be on NextUp ↗](https://nextupcomedy.com/pages/be-on-nextup) A distributor’s published submission rules. - [The D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) The playbook's book topics, matched to the book's contents on 10 November 2026. ## About this roadmap **By D.O.C. Editorial.** This is one stop of [the Stand-Up Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html): discovery & recordings, stop 3 of 5. It's a way to plan, not a promise of bookings: it gives no expected years, its only figures are the ones buyers and venues publish on their own pages, and the buyers' rules are theirs. For how comics get on TV and streaming, read [How do comedians get on TV and streaming?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedians-on-tv.html). Updated 10 November 2026 · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) · [Comic's Corner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tools-for-comedians.html) · [Privacy](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/privacy.html)