TV Formats & Types of Shows
TV Formats
What type of show and who produces the show determines how the show is constructed.
Genre
- Drama, comedy, horror, action, soap, etc.
Format
Broadcast TV (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, WB)
- G, PG, & PG-13 rated content with commercials.
Cable (HBO, TNT, TBS, HBO, STARZ)
- G, PG, PG-13, and R-rated content with or without commercials.
Streaming (Paramount+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple+) can be any content with or without commercials.
G, PG, PG-13, and R-rated content with or without commercials.
As of today, most streamers show no commercials or limited commercials.
Types of Shows
Procedurals
Procedurals are usually your cop, medical, and law shows that feature “closed episodes.” A closed episode is a TV show in which the A-story (the case, the murder, the fire, the problem etc.) is solved by the end of the episode. The A-story for procedurals, like The Good Wife, is always the case. The A-story for CSI is always the murder. Procedurals are one-hour shows.
Serials or Arc Shows
Serials are any show with an ongoing storyline that arcs the whole series. (The Game of Thrones, Queen Sugar, True Detective, Breaking Bad, Avatar). Serials are generally one-hour shows.
Dramadies
Dramadies are serials with laughs. (Barry, BoJack Horseman, Atlanta, Fleabag, The Bear) Dramadies are usually a half-hour show but there are exceptions like, The Marvelous Mrs. Mavel.
Comedy
Comedy is what its name suggests. Comedies are a mix of procedural, serial, and laughs.
Comedies can be serials but almost always closed episodes. Generally, by the end of a comedy episode, a problem has been solved. Generally, by the end of a comedy’s season, the characters have had arcs. (The Office, Blackish, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rick and Morty)