Television show: Difference between revisions
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A '''television program''' (U.S.), '''television programme''' (UK), or '''television show''' (U.S) is a segment of [[broadcast programming]] in [[television]] [[broadcasting]]. It may be a one-off broadcast or, more usually, part of a periodically recurring '''television series'''. |
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A '''television series''' that is intended to be broadcast a finite number of [[episode]]s is usually called a [[miniseries]] or [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]] (although the latter term also has other meanings). North Americans call a short run lasting less than a year a '''''season'''''; People of the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]] call this a ''series''. This season or series usually consists of 6–26 installments in the USA, but in the UK there is no defined length. U.S. industry practice tends to favor longer seasons than those of some other countries. |
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A single instance of a program is called an [[episode]], although particularly in the USA this is sometimes also called a "show", and in the UK a "programme" and the USA a "program". A one-off broadcast may, again particularly in the USA and USA-influenced countries, be called a "special", or particularly in the UK a "special episode" (though this usage is dying out in the face of increasing Americanisation of UK culture). A [[television movie]] or in the UK a television film ("made-for-TV" movie) is a [[film]] that is initially broadcast on television rather than being released in cinemas or [[direct-to-video]], although many successful television movies are later released on [[DVD]]. |
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Today, [[television advertisement|advertisements]] play a role in most television programming, such that each hour of programming can contain up to 15 minutes of advertisements in some countries. By contrast, being publicly funded, the [[BBC]] in the [[United Kingdom]] does not run advertisements, except to advertise its own programmes. Its promotions appear between and near the end of programmes but not in the middle of them, much like the [[Public Broadcasting Service]] (PBS) in the United States and the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) in [[Australia]]. The number of commercial interruptions can also vary, for instance Japanese television tends to prefer fewer and longer commercial breaks while American television has several spread throughout the program. This has an impact on the writing of the show; in order to provide a smooth transition as well as keep the audience from switching channels. With rise of [[internet]] [[video clip]]s, there is serious debate about where the future of television programmes is going. |
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==Program content== |
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The content of television programs may be [[fact]]ual, as in [[Documentary film|documentaries]], [[news]], and [[reality television]], or [[fiction]]al as in [[comedy]] and [[drama]]. It may be topical as in the case of news and some made-for-television movies or historical as in the case of such documentaries or fictional series. It may be primarily instructional as in the case of educational programming, or entertaining as is the case in [[situation comedy]], reality TV, or [[game shows]], or for income as advertisements. |
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A drama program usually features a set of [[actor]]s in a somewhat familiar setting. The program follows their lives and their adventures. Many shows, especially before the 1980s, maintained a status quo where the main characters and the premise changed little. If some change happened to the characters lives during the episode, it was usually undone by the end. (Because of this, the episodes could usually be watched in any order.) Since the 1980s, there are many series that feature progressive change to the plot, the characters, or both. |
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Common TV program periods include regular broadcasts (like [[TV news]]), TV series (usually seasonal and ongoing with a duration of only a few episodes to many seasons), or [[miniseries|TV miniseries]] which is an extended [[film]], usually with a small pre-determined number of episodes and a set plot and timeline. Miniseries usually range from about 3 to 10 hours in length, though critics often complain when programs hit the short end of that range and are still marketed as "minis." In the UK, the term "miniseries" is only usually used in references to imported programmes, and such short-run series are usually called "[[Serial (radio and television)|serial]]s". |
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Older American television shows began with a [[Television pilot|Pilot]] [[title sequence]], showed [[opening credits]] at the bottom of the screen during the beginning of the show, and included [[closing credits]] at the end of the show. However, beginning in the 1990s some shows began with a "[[cold open]]," followed by a title sequence and a commercial break. Many [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]]istic shows begin with a "[[Previously (television)|Previously on...]]" (such as [[24 (TV series)|24]]) introduction before the teaser. And, to save time, some shows omit the title sequence altogether, folding the names normally featured there into the opening credits. The title sequence has not been completely eliminated, however, as many major television series still use them in 2007. |
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While television series appearing on [[TV network]]s are usually commissioned by the networks themselves, their producers earn greater revenue when the program is sold into [[Television syndication|syndication]]. With the rise of the [[DVD]] home video format, box sets containing entire [[season]]s or the complete run of a program have become a significant revenue source as well. Many of the prime-time comedy shows and Saturday morning cartoons will be digitally remastered for [[American television|United States television]] around mid-May 2008, as there will be more original and re-issued DVD sets of television programs containing either entire seasons or complete series runs to come in the future. |
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===Genres=== |
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*[[:Category:Television series by genre]] |
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====Scripted entertainment==== |
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* [[Dramatic television series]] (including [[dramedy]], [[police procedural]], [[Serial (radio and television)|serial drama]], [[science-fiction]], or [[soap operas]]) or [[Television comedy]] (typically [[situation comedy]] or [[sketch comedy]]) |
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* [[Animated television series]] |
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* [[Miniseries]] and [[Television movies|TV Movies]] |
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* [[Award show]] |
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====Unscripted entertainment==== |
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* [[Talk show]]s |
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* [[Reality television]] |
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* [[Game show]]s |
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====Informational==== |
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* [[News programs]] |
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* [[Documentary film|Documentary]] |
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* [[Television news magazine]], dealing with current affairs |
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* [[Infomercial|TV infomercial]]s, which are advertising paid spots |
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==Development== |
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===United States=== |
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A person decides to create a new television ''series''. The show's creator develops the show's elements, consisting of the [[concept]], the [[Fictional character|characters]], the [[crew]], and various [[actor]]s (in some cases, "big-name" actors). They will then offer ("pitch") it to the various [[television network]]s in an attempt to find one that is interested in the series and order a [[prototype]] first episode of the series, known as a ''[[television pilot|pilot]]'' . |
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To create the pilot, the structure and team of the whole series needs to be put together. If the network likes the pilot, they will "pick up" the show for their next ''season'' (UK: ''series''). Sometimes they'll save it for "midseason" or request re-writes and further review (known in the industry as "[[Development hell]]"). And other times they'll ''pass'' entirely, leaving the show's creator forced to "shop it around"' to other networks. Many shows never make it past the pilot stage. |
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If the show is picked up, a "run" of episodes is ordered. Usually only 13 episodes are ordered at first, although a series will typically last for at least 22 episodes (the last nine episodes sometimes being known as the "back nine", borrowing a term from [[golf]]). |
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The show hires a "stable" of [[writer]]s, who usually work in parallel: the first writer works on the first episode, the second on the second episode, and so forth. When all of the writers have been used, the assignment of episodes continues starting with the first writer again. On other shows, however, the writers work as a team. Sometimes they will develop story ideas individually, and pitch them to the show's creator, who then folds them together into a script and rewrites them. |
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===United Kingdom=== |
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In contrast to the US model illustrated above, the UK procedure is operated on a sometimes similar, but much smaller scale. |
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The method of "team writing" is employed on some longer dramatic series (usually running up to a maximum of around thirteen episodes). The idea for such a programme may be generated "in-house" by one of the networks; it could originate from an independent production company; it will sometimes be a product of both. For example, the [[BBC]]'s long-running soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]'' is wholly a BBC production, whereas its popular drama ''[[Life on Mars (TV series)|Life on Mars]]'' was developed by [[Kudos (production company)|Kudos]] in association with the broadcaster. |
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However, there are still a significant number of programmes (usually sitcoms) that are built around just one or two writers and a small, close-knit production team. These are "pitched" in the traditional way, but since the creator(s) will handle all the writing requirements, there will be a run of six or seven episodes per series once approval has been given. Many of the most popular British comedies have been made this way, including ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' (albeit with an exclusive team of six writer-performers), ''[[Fawlty Towers]]'', ''[[Blackadder]]'' and ''[[The Office (UK)|The Office]]''. |
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==Production== |
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The [[executive producer]], often the show's creator, is in charge of running the show. They pick crew and cast (subject to approval by the network), approve and often write series plots, and sometimes write and direct major episodes. A whole host of other producers of various names work under him or her, to make sure the show is always running smoothly. |
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As with films or other media production, production of an individual episode can be divided into three parts: pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. |
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Pre-production begins when a script is approved for production. A [[Television director|director]] is chosen to plan what the episode will actually look like in the end. Pre-production tasks include storyboarding, construction of sets, props, and costumes, casting guest stars, budgeting, acquiring resources like lighting, special effects, stunts, etc. Once the show is planned, it must then be scheduled; scenes are often filmed out of sequence, guest actors or even regulars may only be available at certain times, sometimes the principal photography of different episodes must be done at the same time, complicating the schedule (i.e. a guest star might shoot scenes from two episodes on the same afternoon). Complex scenes are translated from storyboard to animatics to further clarify the action. Scripts are adjusted to meet altering requirements. |
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Some shows have a small stable of directors, but also usually rely on outside directors. Given the time constraints of broadcasting, a single show might have two or three episodes in pre-production, one or two episodes in principal photography, and a few more in various stages of post-production. The task of directing is complex enough that a single director can usually not work on more than one show at a time, hence the need for multiple directors. |
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Principal photography is the actual filming of the episode. Director, actors and crew will gather at soundstages or on location to film a scene. A scene is further divided into shots, which should be planned during preproduction; depending on scheduling, a scene may be shot not in the chronological order of the story. Conversations may be filmed twice from different angles, often using stand-ins, so one actor might perform all their lines in one set of shots, and then the other side of the conversation will be filmed from the opposite perspective. In order to complete a production on time, a second unit may be filming a different scene on another set or location at the same time, using a different set of actors, an assistant director, and a second unit crew. A [[director of photography]] takes care of making the show look good, doing things with lighting and so on. |
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Once principal photography is complete, producers coordinate post-production tasks. Visual and digital effects are added to the film; this is often outsourced to companies specializing in these areas. Often music is performed with the conductor using the film as a time reference (other musical elements may be previously recorded). An [[Film editing#Film Editor|editor]] cuts the various pieces of film together, adds the [[musical score]] and effects, determines scene transitions, and assembles the completed show. |
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==Distribution== |
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The show is then turned over to the network, which sends it out to its [[List of ABC television affiliates|affiliate]]s, which broadcast it in the specified timeslot. If the [[Nielsen Rating]]s are good, the show is kept alive as long as possible. If not, the show is usually [[Cancellation (television)|cancelled]]. The show's creators are then left to shop around remaining episodes, and the possibility of future episodes, to other networks. On especially successful series, the producers sometimes call a halt to a series on their own like ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' and end it with a concluding episode which sometimes is a big production called a [[series finale]]. |
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If the show is popular or lucrative, and a number of episodes (usually [[100 episodes]] or more) are made, it goes into [[television syndication|syndication]] where broadcast rights are then resold. |
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===Seasons/Series===<!-- This section is linked from [[Sailor Moon]] --> |
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The terminology used to define a set of episodes produced by a television series varies from country to country. |
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In North America and Australia, the term used to describe a regular run of episodes is a '''television season''' or simply, '''season'''. For example, a season of a television series might consist of 22-24 episodes broadcast regularly between September and April with a [[Hiatus (television)|hiatus]] during the holidays. Alternatively, it may comprise 22-24 consecutive episodes between September and December or January and May. The latter is often referred to as a "non-stop season", which are usually used for [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]] television series (e.g., ''[[24 (TV series)|24]]'' and ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]''). Another example might be a series that airs only a 6-13 episode season during the summer. |
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In the United Kingdom, on the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] in Australia and in other countries, these sets of episodes are referred to as a '''series'''. |
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In the United States, most regular television series have 22 episodes per season. In general, dramas usually last 44 minutes (an hour with advertisements), while comedies last 22 (30 with advertisements). However, with the rise of cable networks, especially pay ones, series and episode lengths have been changing. Cable networks usually feature seasons lasting around thirteen episodes (e.g. ''[[The Sopranos]]'' from [[Home Box Office|HBO]], with 12- to 13-episode seasons). Many British series have significantly shorter runs, such as ''[[The Office (UK)|The Office]]'' and ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'', which feature 6 episodes per series (see below). Recently, American non-cable networks have also begun to experiment with shorter seasons for some programs, particularly reality shows such as ''[[Survivor (US TV series)|Survivor]]''. |
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This is a reduction from the 1950s, in which many American shows (e.g., ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'') had between 29 to 39 episodes per season. Actual storytelling time within a commercial television hour has also gradually reduced over the years, from 50 minutes out of every 60 in the early days down to the current 44 (and, on some networks, less) in the 2000s. |
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The Japanese have sometimes subdivided television series and dramas into {{nihongo|''kūru''|クール}}, from the [[French language|French]] term "cours" for "course", which is a 3-month period usually of 13 episodes. Each ''kūru'' generally has its own opening and ending image sequence and song, recordings of which are often sold. (See also [[Japanese television programs]]) |
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==See also== |
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* [[List of television programs by name|Alphabetical list of television programs]] |
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* [[Lists of television programs|List of television program categories]] |
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* [[:Category:Television schedules]] (by country and year) |
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* [[Network programming (television)]] |
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== References == |
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{{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}} |
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== External links == |
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* [http://www.fcc.gov/ FCC] |
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[[Category:Television programming]] |
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[[ar:برامج تلفزيون]] |
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[[bs:Televizijska serija]] |
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[[cs:Televizní program]] |
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[[cy:Rhaglen deledu]] |
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[[da:Tv-serie]] |
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[[de:Fernsehprogramm]] |
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[[el:Τηλεοπτικό πρόγραμμα]] |
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[[es:Programa de televisión]] |
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[[fr:émission de télévision]] |
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[[id:Acara televisi]] |
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[[is:Sjónvarpsþáttur]] |
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[[it:Programmazione televisiva]] |
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[[he:תוכנית טלוויזיה]] |
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[[nl:Televisieprogramma]] |
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[[ja:テレビ番組]] |
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[[no:Fjernsynsserie]] |
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[[pt:Programa de televisão]] |
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[[simple:Television programme]] |
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[[sr:Телевизијска серија]] |
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[[fi:Televisio-ohjelma]] |
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[[sv:TV-program]] |
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[[th:รายการโทรทัศน์]] |
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[[yi:טעלעוויזיע פראגראם]] |
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[[zh:电视节目]] |
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Revision as of 18:32, 22 May 2008
Wootie WOO