tvserie

A TV series, or television series, is a scripted program produced for television that unfolds over multiple episodes and generally across one or more seasons. It is designed to be consumed over time, often with ongoing character development and changing storylines, rather than as a single, self-contained movie.

Series vary in structure. Serial or continuing series follow long-form narratives across episodes and seasons; episodic series present self-contained stories per episode or per arc. Formats include ongoing series, limited series (miniseries) with a fixed number of episodes, and anthology series where each season or episode features different stories and characters.

Episodes typically run between about 20 and 60 minutes, depending on genre and target audience. Seasons group episodes into release cycles, commonly ranging from a few to over twenty episodes. Production involves showrunners, writers' rooms, directors, actors, and production companies, with decisions on budgeting, scheduling, and rights handled by studios and distributors.

Distribution has evolved from broadcast networks and cable to streaming platforms and digital on-demand services. TV series may debut on a network before becoming available for streaming, or premiere exclusively on a streaming service. Revenue comes from advertising, subscriptions, licensing, and ancillary markets.

History and impact: Television series emerged from early anthology and variety programs and evolved through the color era, the rise of serialized dramas, and the streaming era, which expanded production values and global distribution. TV series influence culture, spawning fan communities and cross-media franchises, and they are recognized by industry awards such as the Primetime Emmy Awards.