A show bible, also known as a pitch bible, is a reference document used by screenwriters for information on characters, settings, and other elements of a television or film project). It is essentially an outline of a TV series that outlines the characters, plots, settings, and themes of the show. Writers pitch show bibles to network executives and production companies in the hopes of procuring a production agreement. Once the show is "picked up" and turned into a series, this show bible becomes a living document that is modified as the series goes on with new characters, new information, and background details. Other terms for show bible include pitch bible and pitch sheet.

A show bible can be used as a sales document to help a television network or studio understand a series, and is sometimes given to new writers when they join the writing staff). These types of bibles discuss the backstories of the main characters and the history of the series fictional universe). Some show bibles are updated with information on the characters after the information has been established on screen, and the updated bible then serves as a resource for writers to keep everything within the series consistent).

There is no set structure for a show bible, but it generally includes a one-page pitch of the show and logline, story engine, character breakdowns, pilot, and future seasons. The most important elements to include are characters, plot, and themes, and character arcs should be clearly outlined. A show bible is an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production, and a thoughtful show bible will most likely make pitching the show easier.