Internal communication

Pilot episodes, spin-offs, and filler content: The TV guide to internal comms

When operational comms fail, work fails. Here’s a look at why frontline teams expose the cracks in traditional internal communications — and what to do about it.

What we'll cover

Example H2

Spoiler alert: Employees don’t count down the days until the next company update hits their inbox

But the next episode of their favorite TV show? That’s a whole different ballgame. Millions of people cleared their schedules to watch the Succession finale — or to binge the whole of The Bear in one sitting.

So what do these shows have that internal communications don’t? It’s not just good writing and compelling characters. It’s the way TV structures its stories to keep people coming back for more.

Internal comms can steal these tricks to make messages stickier, more memorable, and worth tuning in for. From the pilot episode to the spin-off, here’s how to make your employee communications essential viewing.

The pilot episode — hook them early

A pilot episode sets the tone for a TV series. If it falls flat, viewers won’t bother tuning in again. But hit all the right notes, and you’ll have your audience excited for the next installment.

The same goes for your internal communications. The experience employees get when they first encounter your messages shapes how they’ll engage with them — or ignore them — in future.

So, for new hires, comms related to the onboarding process should feel polished and well-produced. Give employees pre-first-day info that sets the scene. Then, deliver a steady stream of timely updates to get familiar with your communication platforms, your workplace, and their coworkers.

When it comes to launching new platforms and digital tools, treat the roll out of a new employee intranet or internal communication tool like a premiere event. Tease the launch with trailers, countdowns, and even a launch party. And make pilot content so strong that employees are blown away by their very first platform experience.

Action! Review your onboarding messages and launch campaigns. Are they as exciting and focused as a Netflix pilot? If not, refine them — think strong storytelling, quality design, and a tone that makes employees want to tune in for the next update.

Cliffhangers keep them coming back

“Just one more episode?” That’s the power of a cliffhanger.

The best TV shows don’t give everything away in one go. They create buzz and suspense by hinting at what comes next — leaving you hanging with a surprising reveal or creating excitement with a sneak peek of the next episode.

In internal comms, you don’t need to hold back crucial information to build suspense. But you can use this technique to spark anticipation:

Tease upcoming events. Drop a short trailer for a CEO town hall, a product launch, or a training session.
Share the headline. Drop a compelling stat, quote, or insight ahead of a big announcement or change management initiative.
End with a “next week on…” Close company newsletters or updates with a glimpse of what’s coming next.

These TV tactics build excitement for your next content drop. They can encourage employees to subscribe for updates or sign up for further details — and that means a bigger audience when your primary content lands.

Action! Take a closer look at your employee communication content schedule and look for places where you can share “coming soon” content. You’ll make employees feel like they’re part of an unfolding story — not just at the receiving end of a random collection of broadcasts.

Binge vs. weekly drops

Some TV fans love the ritual of a weekly release. Others prefer to binge the whole season in a weekend. Your employees are no different.

Bingeable comms work for employees who want to consume a lot of info in one sitting. That might be a full training module, an annual company strategy deck, or a comprehensive how-to guide.
Short, steady updates suit busy employees (particularly frontline workers) who need snackable updates they can read between tasks. Big ideas are broken down into bite-sized snippets with the help of visuals and clear copy.

The smartest internal communication teams blend both approaches. A box-set drop for complex topics paired with regular micro-updates to keep messages top of mind.

Action! Review your comms cadence. If everything you send is a dense “season drop,” break it up with lighter, more regular touchpoints. You’ll keep your audience engaged and informed without overwhelming them.

Spin-offs shine a light on new characters

Where would the TV world be without Frasier or Better Call Saul?

Spin-off series show us what life is like for one character within an ensemble. They help audiences see familiar characters with a fresh perspective, getting to know their motivations, worries, and wins.

Apply this tactic to your internal communications strategy and you bring your organization together, while also boosting comms engagement. When you highlight lesser-seen people and departments within the company, you give teams the insight they need to collaborate more effectively.

So hand the mic to your delivery drivers, your engineers, or your payroll team. Champion an internal creator culture. And create department crossovers, where marketing and operations, or HR and finance, join forces for a joint update.

This original content is something employees don’t expect — and don’t tend to ignore.

Action! Run a quarterly “takeover” week, where a different department owns internal comms. It diversifies voices, keeps content fresh, and helps employees see work and the workplace from different perspectives.

The watercooler moment

The “red wedding” in Game of Thrones. The final episode of The Sopranos. That super-tense Stranger Things scene when Max faces Vecna to a soundtrack of Kate Bush.

The best TV moments become watercooler moments — both in person or on social media. They spark chatter, memes, and inside jokes. They go beyond the screen to build connection and a sense of belonging among their audience.

Internal comms can do the same, by:

Creating an emotional connection
Inviting employees to interact

Relatable, authentic content about real people creates an emotional connection. So spotlight employees and customers in stories and shout-outs. Encourage leaders to share behind-the-scenes moments. Don’t be afraid to use humor or memes to land a message.

But remember that content alone isn’t enough. The conversation has to flow both ways. Encourage employees to join in. Ask for their input and highlight their intranet contributions. Welcome their ideas and champion an internal creator culture.

Action! Encourage interaction on your corporate communications channels. Launch a poll, invite employees to share their comments under a company news feed post, or get them to create their own content from scratch. Digital channels feel more like a community when they’re built on two-way communication.

All killer, no filler

Sometimes a TV writing team seems to run out of ideas, and you’re stuck sitting through a filler episode. It’s dull and forgettable, it doesn’t move the story forward, and it makes you much less likely to tune in next time.

The lesson for internal communicators? To keep the attention of your audience, avoid filler content at all costs. Ensure that everything you send out deserves its place in your core comms channel. Every piece of content should either:

Inform (share something useful)
Inspire (motivate action)
Connect (build company culture and employee communities)

If it doesn’t do any of those things, skip it.

Also, make every piece of content visually engaging. Videos, infographics, images, polls — Insta-worthy content keeps employees glued to your internal communication platform, making it easier for you to make messages cut through.

Action! Use intranet platform analytics to see which content drives the most (and least) digital engagement. Double down on the hits, learn from the misses, and keep your audience coming back for more.

Anthology vibes — standalones that fit the bigger story

Variety keeps things fresh and interesting — and a standalone story can make a big impact on an audience. Think Black Mirror. Every episode is self-contained but the series works because each installment contributes to a bigger theme.

Apply the same principle to your internal communication plans. Each campaign, post, or announcement should feel complete on its own — clear, valuable, and with a call to action. At the same time, it should tie back to the wider company story. Every message should reinforce the internal behaviors, corporate values, and company culture you want to build.

Action! Define three to four cultural story arcs for your comms this year. Then map every message against them. That way, even standalone content contributes to the bigger narrative, creating a coherent and engaging employee experience.

Make your comms less corporate memo, more shiny streaming service

TV shows succeed because they understand their audience, structure stories to keep viewers coming back, and mix variety with consistency.

Internal communications can do the same. From pilot episodes that hook new hires to spin-offs that highlight unsung heroes to watercooler moments that spark conversation — every message is an opportunity to boost employee engagement.

So treat your internal communication strategy like a hit TV series. Done right, employees won’t be second-screening, half-watching while scrolling their phones. Instead, they’ll be invested in your stories. They’ll tune in, interact, and feel part of something bigger.

Internal communication FAQs

#1. What is internal communication, and why does it matter?

Internal communication is how organizations share information, align teams, and build culture across the workforce. Done well, it keeps employees informed, engaged, and connected to the bigger picture. Done poorly, it becomes background noise — ignored emails, missed updates, and disengaged teams. Strong internal communication isn’t about broadcasting more messages; it’s about delivering the right messages, in the right format, at the right time, so employees actually want to tune in.

#2. How can storytelling improve internal communication?

Storytelling gives internal communication structure, momentum, and emotional pull — the same ingredients that keep people hooked on a great TV show. Instead of one-off announcements, storytelling creates a narrative employees can follow over time, with clear themes, familiar voices, and moments that spark anticipation. When internal comms feel like an unfolding story rather than a random stream of updates, messages become more memorable and engagement naturally increases.

#3. What are common internal communication mistakes to avoid?

The biggest mistake is treating internal communication as a dumping ground for information. Filler content, overly long messages, inconsistent cadence, and one-way broadcasts quickly train employees to ignore updates altogether. Another common pitfall is launching new tools or initiatives without a strong “pilot episode” — if the first experience falls flat, it’s hard to win attention back. Effective internal communication prioritizes relevance, clarity, and purpose over volume.

#4. How often should internal communications be sent to employees?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — the best internal communication strategies blend cadence and choice. Some employees prefer bite-sized, regular updates they can scan between tasks, while others want the option to dive deeper when it suits them. A smart approach offers both: snackable updates to maintain momentum, paired with binge-worthy content for complex topics like strategy, training, or change initiatives.

#5. How can internal communication increase employee engagement?

Internal communication drives engagement when it’s interactive, human, and designed for two-way participation. Highlighting real employees, inviting feedback, using polls or comments, and encouraging teams to create and share content all help turn passive readers into active participants. When employees see themselves reflected in the story — and feel heard within it — internal communication shifts from “corporate messaging” to a shared experience worth paying attention to.

‍

Blink. And make your internal comms worth tuning in for.